French Indian War

Topic: In what ways did the French and Indian War(1754-63) alter the political, economic and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies?

By the middle eighteenth century, Britain and France become two mainly powerful competitors in north America. As shown in document A, England controls the eastern seaboard and Hudson Bay, while France dominates central continent before 1754. The two countries increase tension in competing with each others. Both sides want to grab more fortunes, as a result, the French and Indian War breaks out between the countries. The war spans for seven years; eventually, the French lose its territories in North America. The British take over the land the French used to manage. It seems that the British now win absolute authority in North America, however, even if the British get rid of France as a threat, they still have to deal the relationship with American colonies in politics, economy, and ideology.
Previously, the British are merely to accumulate wealth to mother land on the New World. Nevertheless, when they recognize French and Native Americans are allied, they concern about their statuses in the America. As Document B indicates “you have no Right to settle”, it suggests British and the Native people have conflicts in land ownership. In response to the threat, the colonies establish a organization called Albany Congress that receives encouragement from Britain. The organization is given power to tax colonial citizens, which plants a autonomy seed in colonies. As soon as the French are removed from the America, the British govern entire eastern coastline; their political policies on new territories are primary raising revenue. On the other hand, the colonies have grown self-governing as a idea in their mind. As a consequence, the political relation between Britain and its American colonies become vulnerable.
English raise revenue on the colonies in order to recover from the War and pay back the debts. Stamp Act is a law passed by the British that tax colonies on newspaper and any printed papers. Such an unreasonable revenue makes the American colonies challenge against the British government. As Document G illustrates that Benjamin Franklin works on ending the Stamp Act by showing “a firm Loyalty to the Crown and faithful Adherence to the Government of this Nation”. Additionally, Document H demonstrates that “In Hopes of a Resurrection to Life again”, it supports the people are deeply affected by the high tax and look forward to a normal life. Demanding for more revenue to England, the British directly tax highly on American colonies rather than maintain protection to these colonies (Document F). Consequently, the British and its colonies’s cooperation in economy is gradually destroyed.
American colonies’ ideology toward Britain alter by the French and Indian War. Massachuset’s soldier’s diary from Document D displays the unequal treatment have on European Americans and the British during the war era. “we are debarred [denied] Englishmen’s liberty...But little better than slaves to their officers”. The soldiers fight for the Britain empire, however, they do not get attention from the government. Therefore, their royalties to England are eventually disappeared.
Overall, the French and Indian War change the relation between Britain and American colonies. The British’s harsh policies in colonies foreshadow the Independence War in America.