Alexandra Stohs Period 3 9/10/2010 DBQ

From 1754-1763, the French and Indian war altered the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and American colonies. This conflict ultimately was a catalyst for some of the largest events in American history so far. This war surfaced the Colonists need for independence. If you were to look at maps from before and after the war you would see that before, the French were comfortably settled next to three major rivers: Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio. They were into fur trading and the animals near these bodies of water were very versatile. Though, by 1763, the French had their almost completely stripped away from them on the North American continent. Their lands now belonged mainly to the English and partly to the Spanish. Since the Colonists gradually were growing geographically, they had more land to economically thrive. The better their economy did, the less they depended on the British. Just like a child, the larger they grow, the less they looked up to their parents to guide and direct them. Even the Indians were aware of the developing economy but according to Canassatego, Chief of the Onondoga Nation, the Native people were not happy about it. The Americans had enough products and agriculture to be able to function without British goods. As America became more economically inclined, their ideologies focused on liberty and independence. But unfortunately for them, America was still one of Britains top business partners and most convenient place to get what they needed, so Britain would not allow the colonists freedom. In a Massachusetts soldiers diary he wrote, and though we be Englishmen born, we are debarred [denied] Englishmens liberty. The war created tension throughout the colonies and because of Washingtons victory against the French, the Americans believed that they could fend for themselves.

Alexandra Stohs Period 3 9/10/2010

After the war, Britain needed help to pay for military and since the Americans economy was doing well, they imposed a stamp tax on all letters, newspapers and publications. This stamp act riled up Americans even more. Benjamin Franklin expressed his distaste of the stamp act in a letter to John Hughes and suggested that parliament should repeal it. This stamp act shows the change of Britains political strategies. Instead of trying to improve the colonies they established, they were now using the Colonist or their own welfare. The Colonists mindset of freedom was still fresh in their heads and by 1765, they seemed to believe that having another country political rule over them meant that the colonies were failing. They knew they could be alone and function but they werent allowed the chance. One Pennsylvania publication stated that The Times are Dreadful, Doleful, Dismal, Dolorous, and Dollar-Less. In the British eyes, since their forefathers originally established the 13 colonies, the colonies profits belonged to both the Americans and the British. The British Order in Council in 1763 said We observe with concern that through neglect, connivance, and fraud, not only is revenue impaired, but the commerce of the colonies diverted from its natural course. Because of the war, economic ties were weakened between colonists, political power was exercised stronger on Americans by the British, and Americans ideologies started out from fighting for religion and making money to fighting for liberty.