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The French and Indian War(1754-63) altered the political, economic, and ideological relationship between Britain and its American colonies in many ways. The relationship was altered politically due to Britains control of the entire eastern coastline, economically on how British policies after 1763 were designed to raise revenue to pay for the cost of the empire, and ideologically because American colonists beliefs on the relationship between Britain and the colonies. The British completely eliminated the French, leaving them in control of the entire eastern coastline, creating an extreme change in North America.
In (Document A, North America before 1754 and after 1763) it shows the increase of English control. With this, Britain had to not only govern the well-being of there own land but also that of the colonies. The British were in an extreme debt. This allowed monarchs to accuse colonists for their loss of revenue. The Britsh believed that, since they “protected” the colonists, they should be repaid. After 1763, Britain was in dire 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. Mercantilism was a form of raising revenue from the colonies in which the colonies could only trade with Great Britain and would import more than they exported. Under George Greenville was the solution to Britain’s money issues. It was to directly tax the colonies.
The Stamp Act(1765) was passed by British Parliament to directly tax the colonies on all printed material from newspapers and wills to marriage licenses and playing cards. This put the colonies through a great distress. In (Document H.. Newspaper masthead, October 1765),It states times as”Dreadful, Doleful, Dismal, Dollar-Less”. This shows the impact on the thoughts of the colonists. It also displays a stamp with a skull and crossbones on it. Also in (Document G, Benjamin Franklin (in London) letter to John Hughes (in Pennsylvania), August 9,1765) Benjamin Franklin writes “Stamp…… et… it.. repeal’d”. Many had different opinions on the relationship between Britain and the colonies. In (Document E.. Rev. Thomas Barnard, sermon, Massachusetts, 1763) he states “Mother.. rescued…. protected us”. This shows the ideas on how some felt about the French and Indian War. Some, such as Rev. Thomas, felt that Britain was doing what was best for the colonies by protecting them. On the other side, in (Document D, Massachusetts soldier’s diary, 1759) he writes “good liquiors… keep spirits”. This is showing a negative attitude towards the war.
I shows how the soldiers felt they could hold only hold themselves together by drinking. These are some some the ways the French and Indian War altered the political, economic, and ideologial relations between Britain and its American colonies. The relationship was altered politically due to Britains control of the entire eastern coastline, economically on how British polocies after 1763 were designed to raise revenue to pay for the cost of the empire, and ideologically because American colonists beliefs on the relationship between Britain and the coloies.