French And Indian War
The French and Indian War took place during the years of 1754 to about 1763 that is fought between the British and the French. This war led to change in the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies that later led into the Revolutionary War. The British gained control of many territories while the American colonies gained an extensive new land to explore. The French is removed from North America, which holds a vast amount of land open for the American colonies to settle.
After the French and Indian War took place, the political status between Britain and the American colonies was very weak. The war plunged Britain into debt, which increased the need for English rule and legislation in the colonies. The colonists complained about the lack of liberty they have and the new martial law that was being governed. [D] This resulted in the raising of taxes. Also, the British wanted peace with the Native Americans so they established the Proclamation of 1763, which prohibited westward expansion. The Indians were fed up with the American colonies creating settlements on their land or hunting their food. [B]
A major economic distress in the colonies was parliamentary taxation in America. The English created harsh legislation in hopes of gaining revenue that was lost at war. They set out strictly enforced taxes such as the Sugar Act, which taxed goods imported to America, such as wine, cloth, coffee, and silk. Another well-known act that infuriated the colonists was the Stamp Act, which required Americans to use “stamped” paper for legal documents, newspapers, playing cards, and other goods. Revenue from this tax was to be used solely for the support of the British soldiers protecting the colonies. However, the amount of revenue actually being made was small and inconsiderable. [F] The colonists who received all these taxes were aggravated and formed means of protest, such as in boycotts or bringing about the...
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