Answer:
The first is a fact, and the second is an opinion. The first one is a fact because it has a basis, providing more information than an opinion would have. If the first was an opinion, it would say something like "The shakers were a terrible sect in the 1770's." Because there is no bias, or anything other than fact, it is not an opinion. The second is an opinion because there is no evidence backing " If they didn't hold such a negative view, their numbers would have been a lot higher." Because there is nothing supporting that statement, it is an opinion.
Step-by-step explanation: