French and Indian War

The French and Indian War had a negative effect on the relationship between Britain and its American colonies. The French and Indian War was known as the Seven Years War in America. The colonists were having conflicts with the Native Americans on the issue of territory. The French had a fur trade system with the Native Americans, and both the French and Native Americans had conflict with Britain. Colonists were thankful to have redcoats in the colonies during the French and Indian War, however, when the war was over, the colonists felt that Britain was too controlling over the colonists by imposing taxes and controlling trade. The French and Indian War resulted in Britain to be more politically involved in the colonies, to control the colonies economically through trade and taxes, and colonists’ loyalty towards Britain declined. King George had come to the throne in 1760. He thought Britain was losing its control over the colonists. The colonies’ population was quickly increasing (Doc A); it was obvious that the population in the colonies would soon catch up to the population in England. King George decided that he needed to have British soldiers in the colonies. The British kept a standing army in America. This would later to lead to more conflict between the colonies and the mother country. Britain also attempted to maintain political and economic control by establishing the Stamp Act (Doc. G). However, Benjamin Franklin realized that the Stamp Act only angered the colonists more and he attempted to get it repealed. He tried to convince John Hughs in Pennsylvania that it would be wise to stay loyal to the crown (Doc, G). Though the Stamp Act was a reestablishment of Britain’s political authority on the colonies, it also reestablished Britain’s economic control over the colonies. After the end of the French and Indian War, Britain wanted the colonies to repay Britain for its aid in defending the colonies against the Native Americans. They did so by