What a heated debate! After the French and Indian War came to an end, Britain and the colonies were left divided. Leaders in Britain saw colonial militias as untrained and disorganized, doubting they could defend the empire's expanding frontiers. The British also accused colonists of being disloyal, noting how some did not provide troops or funding during the war while others traded illegally with the French and Spanish. The British referred to colonists as "scum", and even refused to recognize officers above the rank "captain". However, the colonists only grew confident in their ability to defend themselves after the war and disliked British strategies, which failed in dense American terrain. Colonists saw themselves as hardworking and believed they deserved respect. Despite separation caused by religion, geography, and more, the war created a sense of American identity among the colonies. In contrast, the distrust between Britain and the American colonies only created tension, foreshadowing their future conflicts.
Glide: 2
Why did the taxpayers cross the road? To get to the other side (of the Appalachians)! Britain’s costly wars left it deep in debt, pushing King George III and Parliament to abandon the policy of salutary neglect. Instead, to financially recover, Britain increased colonial taxes. Colonists did not take this well and some even moved westward to claim lands beyond the Appalachian Mountains. They did this in light of economic freedom, post-war expansion, and avoiding the hefty taxes. However, Pontiac’s Rebellion soon followed, in which Natives fought back against colonial expansion. As a result of this conflict, Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 which restricted settlement west of the Appalachians. This angered colonists, who ignored the restrictions and developed a frustration with British authority.
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