The French and Indian War

1006 Words3 Pages

By the year 1754 conflict had erupted between France and Britain over colonial borders in the new world. Britain was expanding her American colonies westward, and France was alarmed by Britain’s aggressive movement into traditionally French or Indian territories. The spur had begun when French soldiers captured a British expedition led by George Washington; he was dispatched by Gov. Robert Dinwiddie on a fruitless mission to warn the French commander at Fort Le Boeuf against further encroachment on territory claimed by Britain. The consequential conflict, known as the French and Indian War, lasted from 1754 to 1763 and had a profound impact on Britain’s dealings with the colonies in America which ultimately led to the American Revolution.

The French and Indian War impacted the trans-Atlantic economic relationship between the motherland and her colonies. Before the war colonists were rushing to buy new British manufactured goods resulting from the early stages of the industrial revolution. To pay for these manufactured goods, colonists increased their export of raw materials for sale to Britain. Although the exports were able to pay for a significant portion of cost of British imports, a significant shortfall was covered by British loans. This economic relationship saturated much of pre-French and Indian War colonial America and became normal. After 1763, Britain was in dreadful need for revenue to pay for the French and Indian War. Britain was clever on finding ways to raise revenue from the colonies. From 1650 to the end of the French and Indian War was a period of "salutary neglect." Britain had very little involvement in the lifestyle of the colonies. After the French and Indian War, mercantilism became strictly enforced. Merc...

... middle of paper ...

... his diary "...and though we be Englishmen born, we are debarred Englishment's liberty (Document D).” Benjamin Franklin also recognizes this difference, and, in reference to Britain's new taxes on the colonies, warns that this treatment may cause rebellion.

Great Britain emerged from the Treaty of Paris triumphant; France had been chased out of most of North America and Britain had won control of the eastern third of the continent. However, while the war was a military success, its effects caused trouble for Britain and its American colonies. The war had altered the political and economic landscape, and the changes opened an ideological divide between the two peoples that caused the Colonists to question their ties to Britain. So while the French and Indian War was a success militarily for Great Britain, it brought about the beginnings of the American Revolution.

Why Did The French And Indian War Lead To Revolution
597 Words | 2 Pages
The French and Indian war was a conflict between the American colonists and French over the Ohio valley. The American colonists were allied with the British. The French were allied with the Native American tribes in the area. The war lasted for seven years and ended in a victory for the British. However, this caused many problems which ultimately led to the loss of the Thirteen Colonies.
Read More
Tea Act Dbq
583 Words | 2 Pages
The French and Indian war left Great Britain with debt. The British then began to tax the colonies. The colonists were unhappy with this taxation because they were being taxed without representation. One act that lead to tensions was the Tea Act. There were several British actions that caused colonial reactions, eventually leading to the formation of the United States.
Read More
British Rule In Britain During The 1700s
567 Words | 2 Pages
“When on December 22, 1775, the British Parliament prohibited trade with the colonies, Congress responded in April of 1776 by opening colonial ports—this was a major step towards severing ties with Britain.” (history.state.gov) The colonies no longer depend solely on British goods, but had set up strong trading agreements with numerous countries. These agreements sustained the colonies. By setting up trade agreements with other countries, the colonies had, in a way, become “independent’ from the necessity for British goods. These British goods had become obsolete to the goods of rival
Read More
The French And Indian War Sparknotes
1813 Words | 4 Pages
The Seven Years War, or more commonly referred to as “The French and Indian War”, has been called the true First World War. In this book The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America, the author and historian Walter R. Borneman paints a detailed and elaborate picture that justifies the claim of it being the first true war of global proportions. If ever there truly was a climax to the never ending feud of the European powers that be, Borneman would like to suggest that it was The Seven Years War. Beginning roughly in 1754, the author leads us on a path of discovery that truly has no beginning and only a tentative and temporary end. The author describes in great detail the early agitations that both could have and did lead to all out war not only in Europe but throughout their global realms and reaches. Introductions are made to some of the greatest historical figures of that era and those to come, through the extensive work that the author engages in, in an attempt to grant the most detailed and comprehensive book about not only the Seven Years War, but the events that would both lead up to and follow as a result. A MUST read for any true student of history, Borneman goes further in his masterpiece by examining and explaining common misconceptions and theories that have arisen in regards to the period and war. The book truly shines however not simply in the breadth of knowledge that it provides, but also in the manner in which it does so. Borneman masterfully fits all of the many different parts of this book together in a manner that is easily understood. It is no easy feat to cover the sheer number of names, dates and events detailed in this book. Borneman manages to weave in and out of the different faction...
Read More
The American Revolution: The Beginning of Independence And Equality
1045 Words | 3 Pages
Before the start of the revolution, the colonists were faced with a threat. The French owned a large portion of American soil and had formed close ties with the Native Americans in their area whom were known for their hostility towards the English settlers. During the French and Indian War, the colonists had minimal help other than the strong naval power the English withheld and they were often belittled by the experienced soldiers that quartered in their homes. The colonists gathered a sense of unity in order to win the war. Although England beat the French, the peace would last only a decade before the colonists would revolt.
Read More
Lack of Unity During the French and Indian War
621 Words | 2 Pages
In previous wars, such as The French and Indian War, the colonists lacked unity. During the French and Indian War, the Indians mocked and laughed at the difficulty of pulling and working together to fight and win. The Sugar Act and Stamp Act, tax raising revenues, sparked anger among the colonists. As England issued more unfair taxes and restricted the right to protest against the unjust laws, Americans saw the importance and the strength of acting as one unified nation. Nevertheless, despite the efforts of reconciliation, such as the Olive Branch Petition, England continued to trample on the rights of the colonists, leading to a war for freedom. On the eve of the American Revolution, the colonists were united to fight for a common purpose – independence.
Read More
The Start of US Revolution
1902 Words | 4 Pages
The origin of England's dependence on the colonies began during the French and Indian war, in the 1750s-1760s. In this war, the British were quite inexperienced; their European style of fighting did not work against the guerilla-warfare fighting style of the French. The British wore bright red coats, marched in long lines, often lugging cannons around with them, while the French hid behind trees and picked them off one by one. General Braddock relied on his force of ill-disciplined American militiamen, who used behind-the-tree methods of fighting in order to fight the Indians. After many years of fighting, the British finally came out victorious. Although England emerged from this war as one of the biggest empires in the world, it also possessed the biggest debt. They had poured much money and resources into these colonies in order to keep them as their own, and it was time for the colonies to give something back to the British for protecting them from the Indians. They finally realized what a precious gift the colonies were, and how useful they would be. In this war, the British realized that the colonies were their pawns in a global game of chess. At any time, the British felt that they had the right to impose taxes on the colonies, in order to make up for money that was lost in the French and Indian War to defend them. They had the view that because they had done so much to help the colonies, that the colonies had to repay them.
Read More
French and Indian War
2663 Words | 6 Pages
The French and Indian war took place between 1754 and 1763. Here between these nine years would serve as the blue print to America’s history and future. “What began as a struggle over territorial rights between British colonist and French settlers became part of an international war between the great powers” (Schwartz, 1). To truly understand the French and Indian war, many must take a look into the past events that caused the dispute between the British and the French. During the year 1498, the British claims to the continent were based on the London Company and the sailing of the waters under the rule of King James I. This is where the British company in the latter half of the seventeenth century, under the crown established a reign or province, extending from seas to sea.
Read More
Essay On The War Of 1812 A Just War
850 Words | 2 Pages
The War of 1812, also known as “America’s Forgotten War” and “America’s Worst Fought War,” was fought between the U.S. and Great Britain over violations of the U.S. seafaring rights. The British intrusion with American fur trade and their illegal impressment of seamen off American ships severely strained Anglo-American relations in the years before the war. According to the New Standard Encyclopedia, “There is considerable disagreement as to why this ultimately led to war and what this war represented. (W.30)” The strongest pressure of war came from Congressional leaders known as “the War Hawks” who mainly represented the western frontier and the South. Their main interest was the conquest of Canada and Florida. The British encouraged and supported the Tecumseh Indians, who had inflicted severe losses, to bring them the scalps of the American soldiers that ultimately led to the Massacre of Fort Dearborn on June 18th, 1812. The war ended with the treaty of Ghent. According to the “Just War Theory” outlined in this essay-- this war was an unjust war.
Read More
The French And Indian War
1491 Words | 3 Pages
The French and Indian War or the Seven Years War was one of the major events that led to the American Revolution. The French and Indian War started in 1754 when George Washington and General Edward Braddock tried to defend the British land that they felt the French were taking with their expansion into the Ohio River valley. In 1755 Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts had many French settlers in the Nova Scotia region moved from that region to avoid any confrontation if these settlers sided with their home country. These people were exiled from their home and moved into British colonies in a very cruel and violent fashion. This is one of the first examples of Britain’s oppressive nature towards people they consider a threat to what they feel is the best solution. The British military effort, at this time, was not as impassioned or successful. Both George Washington and General Braddock suffered major defeats at the hands of the French and their allies, General Braddock was even killed in one of the early battles before this war was officially started. It was not until later in the war that the British were able to successfully defeat the French. The war officially began in 1756 and ended in 1763 but this war is far less important than the major event it caused. More than anything this war was the first step to the American Revolution.
Read More
French And Indian War Dbq Essay
698 Words | 2 Pages
The French and Indian War changed the economic, political, and ideological relations between Great Britain and the American colonies in many ways. Politically the colonist felt like they were deprived of representation, when Great Britain imposed unfair taxation without any say. Economically, many colonist were infuriated with the British because the British were starving them of many resources and making high taxes and tariffs. Ideologically, it brought feelings of discontent towards Britain. Boycotts during the war opened the eyes of the colonist. It showed them they had the ability to make a change and proved that they could unite together. The colonist no longer viewed Great Britain as the great mother country, but as a tyrant who looked to feed on the American colonies new sense of life.
Read More
Political Analysis Of The Salem Witch Trials In America
2717 Words | 6 Pages
The French and Indian War was the biggest war of America’s history at the time, and ended a bit over of a decade before the Revolution in 1763, after lasting 9 years. Britain and France’s conflict over the Ohio River Valley and who claimed ownership of it was a big reason for this war, and the formation of allies that The Colonies and the Native Indians made with Britain and France, respectively, added even more of the bitter taste between The Colonies and Natives. The war ended with the British winning and with the Treaty of Paris. America was expanded to the Mississippi River. George Washington, who would later become one of the Country 's most important founding fathers, fought in this war.
Read More
The Causes of the American Revolution
1691 Words | 4 Pages
Even before the French and Indian War, political harmony between the colonies and the British was already being breaking down, due to all of the new acts that were passed in accordance with the mercantile theory of economics. This theory of economics believed that the goal of the individual should be to increase the total wealth of the country, and that the world wealth was finite. The British believed that the colonies only existed to increase the wealth of Britain.
Read More
Canadian Confederation
3837 Words | 8 Pages
Trade was important to the Maritimes. Up to 1846 Britain had provided the British North American colonies with a market for their goods, but then began a policy of free trade. Because there were no tariffs placed on any country the colonies lost a sure market for their goods. Many colonists were concerned that some might consider union with the United States and the British North American colonies was brisk with large amounts of lumber and grain being imported by the U.S. When the Americans ended the Reciprocity Treaty in 1865, many Maritimers became uneasy about the economic future. It became apparent that in order to develop thriving trade; new economic links would have to be developed. 3
Read More
The Relations Between Britain And Its American Colonies
921 Words | 2 Pages
From 1754 to 1763, the French and Indian War took place. This war altered the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies. It was the last of four North American wars waged from 1689 to 1763 between the British and the French. In these struggles, each country fought for control of the continent with the assistance of Native American and colonial allies. The French and Indian War occurred to end the land dispute between the British and French. Whoever won, in reality, gained an empire. It was a determined and eventually successful attempt by the British to get a dominant position in North America, the West Indies, and the subcontinent of India. Although Britain had won all this land, political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies were totally annihilated.
Read More

Open Document

Wait a second!

The French and Indian War

Why Did The French And Indian War Lead To Revolution

Tea Act Dbq

British Rule In Britain During The 1700s