How did the French and Indian War change the relationship between British and the colonies?

Jessie Palmer; January 2013
 
​The French and Indian War was very essential to the American Revolution because the war debt was the reason that Parliament started imposing taxes on the colonists in the first place. Also, the French and Indian War weakened Britain, making the colonists’ actions work more effectively. Since France, reasonably, was not happy with the outcome of the French and Indian War, it was also one of the reasons for France’s interest in helping the colonists throughout the Revolutionary War, which was a key element to the colonies’ victory.

​The reason why Parliament started taxing the colonists was because of the war debt resulting from the French and Indian War. The first tax, the tax on sugar, was imposed on the colonists to help pay off the debt. Consequently, without that debt, the colonists wouldn’t have had their main argument of “taxation without representation.” Without that argument, the thought of breaking away from England most likely would not have started spreading through the colonies the way that it had during that time. Then, after the colonists got rid of the Sugar Act through protests and boycotts, it began a long fight between Parliament and the colonies that, ultimately, resulted in the American Revolution.

​The French and Indian War weakened Britain so that the colonists’ actions, such as boycotting, were more effective to the colonial cause. Since there was debt because of the war, the economy was already suffering in Britain – ergo the taxes imposed on the colonies. When the colonies started boycotting British products and threatened to stop trade with them all together, it was effective because Britain’s economy wasn’t strong enough to handle those things. The merchants in Britain couldn’t afford to have trade with America, their primary source of exporting goods, end. If the British merchants were hurt, this would thus hurt the economy as a whole in Britain. In later decades, in the War of 1812, America would try to stop trade with Britain again using an embargo, which would not be effective because they did not have the debt that the French and Indian War had caused. Therefore, the reason that the actions of the colonists worked productively is because of the strain that the French and Indian War had put on Britain’s economy.

​Because the French had lost the French and Indian War against Britain, the news of the American Revolution spiked their interest when they saw a chance to help in weakening the British Empire. It is evident that France’s money and, maybe more importantly, their Navy was key to the colonies gaining their independence. France’s Navy helped the colonists corner General Cornwallis at Yorktown which was the final significant colonial victory in the Revolution. Before that, France was helping the colonists by helping them get gun powder and ammunition. Though it is possible that France may have helped the colonists gain their independence anyways, the French and Indian War helped fuel the fire and it was recent enough that it was still on France’s mind. So, the French and Indian War helped the colonists gain their most beneficial ally, France, which helped lead to the colonies become independent from Great Britain.

​One very essential element pertaining to the American Revolution was the French and Indian War. Britain’s economy was suffering because of the debt caused by the war, which led to the taxation that angered the colonists in the beginning. Also, the status of the economy after the French and Indian War is what provided the perfect conditions so that when the colonists implemented boycotts on Britain to try to stop the taxation, they were more effective than they would have been otherwise. The French and Indian War was also essential because it helped provided the colonists with their greatest ally, France. Therefore, without the French and Indian war the idea of independence would not have spread as promptly as it did, the colonists’ actions would not have been as effective, and there is a good chance the colonies could have, ultimately, lost the American Revolution.

Ode to Common Sense Written by Margaret McAllister & Kayla McLane; Performed by Margaret McAllister January 2013 We were livin' all fine and dandy Self government that's what we had We're not babies, can't steal our "candy" Our own assemblies? They make us glad! Salutary neglect no more Screw the French and Indian war Taxes go up, pockets go dry Virtual representation? That ain't gonna fly! We loved the navy, but didn't expect Sugar, Stamp, Townshend and the others Your endless taxes, they caused such a wreck Neighbor vs. neighbor, brother vs. brother Salutary neglect no more Screw the French and Indian war Taxes go up, pockets go dry Virtual representation? That ain't gonna fly! How do you think to enforce those acts? You're a tiny island, get it in your head! The control of Navigation, hahaha Georgie's is totally over *I take it back* it's dead Salutary neglect no more Screw the French and Indian war Taxes go up, pockets go dry Virtual representation? That ain't gonna fly!

French & Indian War Fallout Rap by Emilee Curtis & Christy Barton; January 2013 The French and Indian War doesn't seem like much, But let me explain what it did for us. The British and the French could never get along. One was always right and the other always wrong. They battled for more land and more territory,  Especially in the Ohio River Valley. After nine long years the British got a win, But as for the colonists this was not the end. The Brits had built up so much debt, And now they tried to tax without represents. The war itself was fought in the colonies. That made them have a stronger unity. "Join or die," is what Benjamin said. "If we don't unite we may all end up dead."  Much of the fighting was done by Americans. The Brits didn't help much with the Indians. This made the colonists feel all alone, But it left very little respect for the throne! Then came the Proclamation of '63. "No more expansion," it said. "You must stay by the sea!" It was supposed to keep peace with the Indians, But instead it outraged all the Americans.  King George and Parliament Didn't realize the colonists' patience was spent. They just kept on taxing like nothing was wrong, While secret governments were moving along.  Finally the colonists could take no more. They would forever have to pay back the debt from the war. So they gathered up munitions and militia And started to raise up a rebellion. Now you can see the connections Between the French and Indian War and the Revolution. The abandonment, taxes, and unity All led to the Revolution it is plain to see. 'Murica.