The French and Indian war occurred for nine years between 1754 and 1763. This war was between the French and British in North America. The French and Indian War was part of a much larger war between France and England (Seven Years’ War). Despite the continued American loyalty to the king after the French and Indian War, the political and economic tensions marked a turning point in American relations with Great Britain.
Most colonists remained loyal to the king after the French and Indian War until 1776. Even though the colonists’ loyalty had been weakened, overall they remained loyal despite the political and economic unrest. Up until 1776, most colonists did not even want independence from Great Britain, they just wanted Salutary Neglect to come back. Salutary Neglect was Britain’s tax policy, and it basically left the colonies alone as long as they were profitable. Colonists remained loyal because most of them saw themselves as British, even though the British did not see it that way. The colonists did not want to part with Great Britain because they were still loyal to the crown, but their loyalty had been weakened due to the aftermath of the French and Indian War.
…show more content…
For example, the Proclamation of 1763 forbade colonial expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains. This angered the colonists because in their eyes, they had just fought for that land, and they deserved it. Several colonists flat ignored the proclamation, and this caused tensions between America and Britain. The end of Salutary Neglect also caused even more tension because the colonists were used to being able to govern themselves. Colonists were angered by the political changes, and even hated some of the changes. The political changes led to the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain in