The Relationship Between America and England Following the Seven Years' War
The French and Indian War changed the relationship between the American colonies and their British counterparts from economic dependence to incompatibility and from political separation to a direct conflict of interests.
Firstly, the war changed America's economic reliance on its mother country to economic disharmony as American culture and practicality threatened their relationship. Before the war, the colonies were scattered groups of religious refugees and poor immigrants aspiring to better things. Britain funded the original settlements and supported them as they struggled to survive. Once the colonies finally took root, Britain stepped back and demanded no money from them through taxes or debt, although its native citizens paid taxes regularly. However, over the course of the French and Indian War, Britain racked up a huge debt, and because the initial fighting took place in North America, defending the American lands from the French, Britain felt it logical and necessary to ask taxes of the growing nation. These included the Stamp Act in 1765 and the Townshend Revenue Act of 1767. However, the colonies reacted violently. After the Stamp Act required the colonies to pay extra for all paper goods, 'Hated Stamp' cartoons appeared in colonial newspapers that depicted the British seal as a skull and crossbones. This symbol of death represented how threatened the colonies felt by the constricting tax. It also inspired the Stamp Act Resolutions of 1765, a response from the colonies to the crown that explained their displeasure at being subject to taxes on which they had no political say. The Resolutions demanded the repeal of the Stamp Act and the repeal of any other acts restricting American commerce in any way. The Townshend Acts, an attempt to avoid colonial anger by utilizing external taxes to raise revenue, tried to explain to the necessity of British taxes: "...it is expedient that a revenue should be raised, in your Majesty's dominions in America, for making
Firstly, the war changed America's economic reliance on its mother country to economic disharmony as American culture and practicality threatened their relationship. Before the war, the colonies were scattered groups of religious refugees and poor immigrants aspiring to better things. Britain funded the original settlements and supported them as they struggled to survive. Once the colonies finally took root, Britain stepped back and demanded no money from them through taxes or debt, although its native citizens paid taxes regularly. However, over the course of the French and Indian War, Britain racked up a huge debt, and because the initial fighting took place in North America, defending the American lands from the French, Britain felt it logical and necessary to ask taxes of the growing nation. These included the Stamp Act in 1765 and the Townshend Revenue Act of 1767. However, the colonies reacted violently. After the Stamp Act required the colonies to pay extra for all paper goods, 'Hated Stamp' cartoons appeared in colonial newspapers that depicted the British seal as a skull and crossbones. This symbol of death represented how threatened the colonies felt by the constricting tax. It also inspired the Stamp Act Resolutions of 1765, a response from the colonies to the crown that explained their displeasure at being subject to taxes on which they had no political say. The Resolutions demanded the repeal of the Stamp Act and the repeal of any other acts restricting American commerce in any way. The Townshend Acts, an attempt to avoid colonial anger by utilizing external taxes to raise revenue, tried to explain to the necessity of British taxes: "...it is expedient that a revenue should be raised, in your Majesty's dominions in America, for making