American Revolution Dbq

Although the the British victory over the French in North America did not explicitly cause the American Revolution, its consequences set the stage for independence as colonists increasingly felt that their British liberties were being disavowed, and in turn, began to identify more as Americans rather than Englishmen. Imperial regulations regarding newly acquired territories appeased Native Americans but prohibited westward expansion and consequently, ignited colonial protest. Overburdened with debt after the war, Great Britain imposed a series of taxes for the sole purpose of gaining revenue, which greatly provoked American colonists who believed they were inadequately represented in such legislation. Lastly, the defeat of the French would eventually propel them to consider supporting the American cause against their longstanding British rivals.
Following the Treaty of Paris in 1763, many Native Americans grew concerned with British encroachment on their territory. In dealing with Pontiac’s Rebellion, Parliament passed the Proclamation of 1763,

which recognized all land west of the Appalachians to be under native control. While this satisfied the Native Americans, it led to colonial dissent because colonists felt as though imperial rule hindered expansion and discouraged colonial prosperity. These perspectives would be an important precursor to rising anti-British sentiments in colonial America.
At the end of the French and Indian War, Britain’s debt had skyrocketed.

Thus, George III and Parliament ended salutary neglect, a policy that exempted the colonies from British revenue standards to ensure loyalty. The Sugar Act of 1764 was essentially just an extension of the Molasses Act of 1733. However, instead of promoting mercantilism as the Molasses Act did, the Sugar Act regulated trade specifically to collect revenue for the national treasury and to empower British control, shown in the vice-admiralty courts that threatened colonists’ rights to fair trials. Subsequent taxation laws included, but were not limited to, the Stamp Act, Revenue Act, Tea Act, and “Intolerable Acts,” and were enforced on the grounds that colonists were virtually represented by Parliament, to which most colonists disagreed. In response, colonial resistance heightened and grew progressively more organized leading up to the Revolutionary

War.
After being defeated in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution provided France with an opportunity for retaliation against Great Britain. However, they would not officially declare allegiance with the Americans until they could prove there was a true chance of them defeating Britain. Alternatively, the French supported the revolutionary cause through underground methods by supplying the American patriots with funds, arms, and military support. French aid greatly boosted American contention in the war, especially following the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, which finally convinced the French to ally with the U.S. and declare war on Britain.
In conclusion, British success in the French and Indian War led to the gradual development of the American Revolution by stimulating opposition to British rule through land restrictions, taxation, and intercontinental conflicts. The outcomes of the French and Indian War fostered a unique American identity that would contribute immensely to the start of the Revolutionary War in 1776.