AR - The French and Indian War (Lesson)
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was the North American portion of a larger series of conflicts, between Great Britain and France, known as The Seven Year's War. This territorial dispute held France and its Native American allies against Great Britain and its Native American allies. The war resulted in a large territorial gain for the British, however increased tension between the colonists and British rule ultimately led to the American Revolution. Many believe the French and Indian War to the be beginning of the American Revolutionary era.
The French and Indian War
As colonists moved west for further opportunities and freedoms, they encroached on French claims to the Ohio River Valley. The resulting dispute over the control of this territory would become the French and Indian War. Having established positive relationships with local Native American groups along the region, the French aligned themselves with their native allies to oppose the British and colonial advancement. The resulting war would result in a British victory, but also created tension between the American Colonists and British rule. Subsequently, this tension further pushed colonists towards independence. The outcome of The French and Indian War was settled with the 1763 Treaty of Paris. The 1763 Treaty of Paris gave Great Britain control over Canada and had France give up its claims to all territory east of the Mississippi River with the exception of the city of New Orleans. The British now controlled the largest territorial empire in the world and stood as the dominating power of Europe. However, their conquests brought with them heavy debt. A debt the British would now burden on the American Colonists. The British government hoped to expand the taxes placed on American colonists and thus help pay for British war debt. Measures were put in place to control further colonial settlement west, increase taxes among the American colonies, enforce the collection of those taxes, and prosecute smugglers who avoided taxes and tariffs. As a result, American colonists increasingly questioned British authority and investigated independent self-rule.
Effects of the French and Indian War
Having fought alongside the British, the colonists were then essentially punished through taxation as a result of the French and Indian War. In what ways could the British have avoided tensions with the colonists and still paid their war debts?
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