For this assignment, post two comments about the following question. Your first comment will be your answer to the question, and the second will be in response to your classmates.
After our initial discussion in class, what military, financial, and relationship issues that arose during the French and Indian War affected future events the most? Choose one answer for each of the categories listed in the question. In choosing your answer, be sure to include valid points that support your stance.
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The French and Indian War had a huge impact on Great Britain's economy, so huge that Britain's national debt was nearly doubled afterward. It was this that encouraged the monarch to tax the colonies more in order to cover the debts, and the newly imposed (and extremely high) taxes weren't taken well by the colonists. In response, they refused to pay them, and it was this that ended up contributing to the start of the American Revolution, which vastly affected future events, since the Revolution led to the colonies becoming a country of their own, and this Revolution could even be considered responsible for inspiring the French Revolution overseas (thank you, Thomas Jefferson).
ReplyDeleteEveryone has relationship issues, and the French and Indian War definitely troubled the relationship between France and Great Britain. Sure, the French didn't exactly like the British all that much beforehand, but it wasn't as though the War didn't contribute to that passionate hatred. The two of them just struggled over a hunk of land! Of course France would fume at the British after losing their American holdings. Anyway, this later came back to haunt the Brits since France sided with the colonies during the American Revolutionary War and significantly contributed to their forces; contributions that definitely aided the formation of America. Not to mention the fact that post-American-Revolutionary debt suffered by France was basically what stirred up the French Revolution, and it all tumbles out from there; Louis XVI, Jacobins, Robespierre mumbo-jumbo.
The largest factor militarily is hard to say. The Seven Years' War definitely took its human toll, not only from the numerous British forces but also from the not-so-numerous colonial forces. The British troops that DID manage to survive deserted the colonies after the war and left them practically impoverished; Britain wasn't alone in its economic slump. Legislative assemblies in the colonies were getting more and more restless, longing to get their hands on real political power, and the war put plenty of America's founding fathers (George Washington, Sam Adams, and my BF Ben Franklin among them) through the kind of military experience they needed for the future American Revolution.
Moral of the story is: wait, this story has a moral? Oh right. What happens in the past affects what happens in the future. Wow. We're affecting the future right now. If I get up and grab a bowl of frozen yogurt right now, it might change the course of my entire future existence. Oh boy.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship issues that arose during the French and Indian War went on to cause the American Revolution. The colonists felt a sense of identity they did not have before because they had came together and put aside their internal squabbles. They began to feel that they could stand on their own,without the British. They had a new sense of confidence. The British viewed the colonists as unreliable and ungovernable because they thought they fought poorly in battle. This later caused them to become more and more strict with their ruling of the colonies which served only as fuel to the fire. The relationship between England and the colonies that developed during the French and Indian War ultimately led to the American Revolution.
ReplyDeleteMilitarily, as Carly stated, the French Indian War served almost as practice for the future leaders of the American Revolution. Through battles in this war, these men got the experience in military operations and other such responsibilities that they would need later on.
England was in extreme debt after the war and therefore could keep as large of an army in America as it wanted to. Their lack of adequate regulation enabled the colonists to continue expanding westward despite the Proclamation of 1763. As the colonies' territory grew so did their confidence and sense of self. These factors also caused the American Revolution.
The French and Indian War shaped many future events by its affect on military, financial, and relationship issues. Militarily, this war caused the English to push the French north and the Indians west, which contributed to the their stronghold in central North America. In order to do so, however, England needed to send over military, and a numerous men fell in battle. But, this military victory in the French and Indian War set the stage for an English America, which was later furthered to an independent english-speaking country, rather than a colony, because of the experience colonists received in war. Financially, the war's efforts cost both many lives, and a vast amount of reveanue; to be footed by the colonies. Relationship among the countries had also became very strained after this war. It attested to the global environment, in where the world was at war no matter where the battles and borders were fought.
ReplyDeleteRelationships during the French and Indian war were key to what was to come in the near future in the colonies. The war itself was fueled by the negative relationship of the French and the English. (religious differences, fighting for most power, territory, trade, etc) During the war, the concept of relationships remained crucial as dependency on the colonists and even the Indians grew. Ultimately, relationships are what shaped the outcome of the war, with a British victory, that caused the relationship between the colonists and British to begin to take shape, and eventually lead into revolt.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the war in the colonies, and also war in Europe, England found itself in major debt. They were already beginning to economically take over in the colonies when they became the center of trade (mercantilism) and therefore only began to tighten their control. But, surprise, surprise, the French and Indian war caused the colonies to fall into s huge amount of debt due to high war costs and high amount of casualties. The loss of husbands and fathers led their widowed wives and children to be poverty stricken. The British, only focusing on their attempt to gain back what was all lost, looked past the poverty, and continued to ask for money from the colonies. (high taxes) Ultimately this led the colonists to feel they were being treated unfairly, and were not longer receiving the benefits they came to the colonies to gain in the first place.
Militarily, I agree with both Dana and Carlee, where the French and Indian war was like a boot camp or military school for the colonists. It ultimately led them to be prepared for battle against the British. They British basically created their own enemy. The colonist's military success also made their confidence and nationalism grow.
Both Dana and Carlee made great points about how the future was shaped financially, militarily, and relationship wise in the colonies due to the French and Indian war, and its aftermath. Carlee made a great point on how the past affects the future. What occurs in the past does ultimately shape the future, and what you do will always lead to something. No one can predict the future because it is shaped by the past, and is created by a series of events (becomes evolutionary) where one thing leads to another.
In the French and Indian war, the military for the Americas was essentially built through the British training of American colonists which later came back to destroy the British. Military victory also gave the Americans confidence needed to oppose England later in the future
ReplyDeleteFinancially, the French and Indian war left many British debts, to be compensated for through taxation of the colonies. This created tension between England and its colonies, ultimately leading to the American Revolution.
The war strained relationships between England and its American colonies, as the British relied on the colonists more and more as people to fund their own economic expenses and to fight the battles to prevent the loss of British life. Not only were relationships between England and the colonies strained, but also relationships between England and the French, who the initial conflict was to begin with.
I agree with the statement that past events can affect the future. Everything that happened throughout the French and Indian War had consequences for the colonists, the British, and all other participants. In the end, the decision to involve the colonies in the French and Indian war led to the American Revolution and then freedom from Great Britain.
During the Seven Years War, the great number of British soldiers in the American soil benefited the colonists financially. The war called for a huge order for ships, arms, uniforms, shoes, bread, and other supplies that were needed for the military that the colonists produced. However, after the end of the French and Indian War, the colonists lost their financial stability that the British army provided for them. The economy slumped badly in 1760 and many merchants went out into bankruptcy. Furthermore, the war required heavy taxes from the colonists who were already suffering from the great disturbance in their sales. Thus this financial issue will lead to the future events of the colonists revolting toward England for high taxation.
ReplyDeleteUnlike the financial issues that rose from the Seven Years War, the military provided an optimistic view for the future leaders of America. Carrying out military operations taught many men the political responsibilities that they would have to bear in the future, and these burdens provided men like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin with political technique and experience.
Furthermore, the relationship between the American colonists and England changed drastically as a result from the French and Indian War, and this change eventually lead to the American Revolution. For the first time, the colonists saw that they did not have to rely on England to be their crutch for survival; they had enough power to stand alone. The colonists felt a new sense of identity and felt the advantages of standing alone after the French and the Spanish powers left the colonies.
Like what Dana stated, I agree that the military experience lead to future American leaders and that from the individualness that the Americans felt caused the rise to the American Revolution.
ReplyDeleteCarly's point on the relationship between the French and the English makes a great point; even though the English thought that they would no longer have to deal with the French in the issue pertaining the colonies, the English were proved wrong when the French aided the colonists in their fight for freedom.
Laura makes an interesting point about the economy of the colonies during and after the war. They were able to make a lot of money during the war through production of supplies that the British army needed. After the war, however, their economy went into a slump. The colonists did not want their lives to be based off of the whims of the British so this likely further enforced their new idea that they did not want to be reliant on the British any longer.
ReplyDeleteAlright; instead of highlighting the relationship between the Brits and their French counterparts, Liz decided to go the Brits/colonies route, which I thought was another impacting change. After The Seven Years' American-Pie-Slicing-Contest, the colonies started becoming more firm in their ideas of being self-sufficient and making themselves more than what Britain was allowing them to be. And Britain got all hoity-toity about the colonies, shaking their fingers at the disobedience of their empire overseas and in response tightening their hold on the squirming devil. Which only made the colonies angrier. Which led to ideas of independence which led to more war, yada yada yada, land of the free, home of the brave, present day.
ReplyDeleteWord to Bekah for reminding me that duh, it wasn't only the Brits that were footing the bill for The Seven Years' Ordeal-of-Land-Division. Sure the British had their double-debt, but it was the colonies that were paying for it all in the long run, or at least, the colonies that were SUPPOSED to be paying for it all. Not only that but France was in deep financially too, another Revolution-starter!
Laura rocked 'cause she brought up the identity of the colonies. That's what I was trying to say, and she said it well: the colonies began to feel like they could stand on their own better than they could with the British squeezing them for taxes and limiting their economy and sucking the resources out of them. I think they had a good point. Isn't that funny? If we never had our identity-epiphany, we might still be "British" now. Ha ha history.
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ReplyDeleteSorry, I deleted that post I just made because of a typo. I'm nitpicky like that.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that the results of the French and Indian War set up everything that would come later in the American Revolution. Either the consequences led to one of the sparks that started the war, or helped put America in a position to win the war.
Starting with the military, the British enlisted a lot of colonists (i.e. every young man) into their armies to help fight the war. This trained the colonists and allowed them to be prepared once the American Revolution started only 13 years after the French and Indian war finished. That's not a lot of time; a lot of the soldiers that fought in the first could still be ready to help the colonies' cause in the second. And in the French and Indian War, military leaders emerged that the colonies would turn to in their revolution, such as George Washington. This military experience that the French and Indian War provided ended up helping America win the revolution later.
The French and Indian war also started the revolution, not just help America win it. Even though the British defeated France, they spent a huge amount of money to do that, and it threw Britain into a massive debt. The solution to that was taxing more everywhere around the British Empire, including America. That taxation became one of the major issues colonists had with Britain and drove them to declaring their independence. Which led to the American Revolution, which led to America, a country that's played a significant part in world history, the last century especially.
The French and Indian War also helped fuel tension in the relationship between the colonies and Britain, which ultimately led to their separation. The colonists felt that it had been their victory, won with them as the soldiers, on their own land, and they began believing they could be independent from England. After all, they had just kicked out Spain and France; they could protect themselves. Meanwhile, the British had gotten a massive headache from trying to work with colonists during the war and so perceived them to be a lowly people that needed to be kept in line. So when it came time for the colonists to want to pull away, the British thought negotiations would be stooping down to the level of inferiors and instead responded with force.
After the French and Indian War, the American Revolution was inevitable. The colonies didn't like the taxation, thought they could survive if they broke away, and had some leaders ready to take charge if it came to war.
During the French and Indian war, England and the colonies poured huge sums of money into ship-building, arms, uniforms, and food. Like every other nation that participates in war, England and the colonies had a huge economic boom at the time. Similarly, after the war, they saw a huge depression even though they had won. On top of the already high war debt for all of the materials, both had also lost a great deal of men who were soldiers in the war, which left many families without a father. This in turn led to taxes increasing, in an attempt to expand "poor relief." While mostly the poor went homeless, even some of the wealthy class were severely indebted. Because of the severe debts which led to the English monarchy increasing taxes, the colonists eventually began to revolt, and refuse to pay taxes, which later led to the American Revolution, and the separation of the colonies from Europe.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of relationships, many were formed and destroyed during the French and Indian War. The already tense relationship between the English and French dramatically escalated as both tried to gain absolute control of the Atlantic basin. Additionally, although the French started out with the majority of Native Americans supporting them, William Pitt's directions which led to the much needed military victories for England, convinced Native American tribes to ally with the English. The Iroquois, although their were still sometimes quarrels with the English, began to support them, which is possibly one of the leading reasons the English won the war. Unfortunately, following the war, the English continued to push the Native Americans out of their land, and towards the west. Although the Proclamation of 1763 tried to restrict this expansion, the colonists did not stop. Within the colonies, relationships were also developed. Although their were still varying cultures and religions between the colonies, their new sense of pride and independence led them to feel confident enough to fight for independence from Europe.
The overpowering military that the English used to win the French and Indian war also left a huge mark on the populations. While the huge military helped them during the war, it also left a crippling loss of men in both England and the colonies, which caused much of the poverty and taxes that the colonists endured following the war. On the positive side, however, it helped develop the leadership skills of some of America's future leaders: George Washington, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and Christopher Gadsden.
Carly (the first one that posted), I agree with you that the French and British relationship also had long-term consequences. The debt France fell into after the American Revolution helped start the French Revolution, but I'm surprised you didn't mention also that just the ideology of America's revolution sparked France's. Power to the people, no monarchy, that appealed a lot. It's rather ironic. The French monarch supports the war that inspires his subjects to overthrow him.
ReplyDeleteLaura, that's an interesting point in how the colonial economy suffered after the war finished. Maybe if it was just taxes, or just an economic depression, one or the other, it wouldn't have upset the colonists as much as it did when they had to deal with both at the same time. Maybe it took both together to convince the colonies to break away.
For centuries, the British and the French were rivals. They always had altercations regarding land and power in Europe and in the colonies. The French defeat after the French and Indian war made France despise the British even more. Even though the British kicked the French out of the New World, karma would come back around. During the American Revolution, the French allied themselves with the colonists. In the end, the British were defeated. The events of the past (French and Indian War) added to the hatred developed towards the British. France finally unleashed her bottled up energy in the American Revolution. The victory had avenged the losses of the French and Indian war.
ReplyDeleteLike what Laura and carlydee said, the war drew up the need for weapons, clothing, ammunition, ships and food increased (soldiers’ needs). Fortunately, the colonists were able to provide the goods to the soldiers, and the economy profited. However, after the war ended (1763), things started to go bad. The economy began to slump because there were smaller numbers of men to work (casualties from the war). Artisans and laborers were going bankrupt. On top of that, Britain demanded that the colonists pay incredible amounts of taxes for war damages. This “taxation without representation” angered the colonists, and led to rebellion. Taxation was a major cause for the uprising against England.
Similarly to what almost everyone has mentioned, the French and Indian war served as an ego booster for the colonists. This victory proved to them that as long as they fight aggressively and fearlessly, they can beat anyone. This newfound confidence was first shown at the beginning of the American Revolution and was relied on throughout the war. If the French and Indian war did not take place, or the Brits and colonists lost, the colonies might not have had the courage to battle the British.
Yo Scott, I did to mention how the American Revolution inspired its French counterpart. Except I mentioned it in my first paragraph. So THERE, mister! I wouldn't forget that, silly. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carly's point (and everyone else who elaborated on it) that the events of the past have major consequences that effect the future, whether it be short term or long term. Additionally, Scott's point about "The French monarch supporting the war that inspired his subjects to overthrow him," was very interesting and indeed ironic. Like Chris said, if the French had won the war (or their had never been a French and Indian War), the colonists might have never had the confidence to try to separate leading to the American Revolution, which in turn would not have inspired the French Revolution. What a loss on the king of France's part...
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Poor King Louis XVI. But hey, the world's a little better now that the guillotine's existed. Right? Or wrong? We'll never know.
ReplyDeleteHaha; anyway, it brings up an interesting concept, to think that the American Revolution might have not occurred successfully if the French had won. Even though I see the point to this, Scott, Chris, and Sarah, I think with the unrest in the colonies, independence would have been fought sooner or later. And the French revolution was additionally caused by internal conflict, whether its American example happened or not, I have a feeling the series of events was more or less when it was going to happen, and if and how long it'd take for revolutions for certain independences.
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ReplyDeleteOops, half of my post got cut off.
ReplyDeleteFor years, Britain and France had a never ending rivalry, each yearning for more land, more control, and more wealth. A turning point appeared when the French and Indian War began in 1754, and each country was fighting their battles in the recently conquered colonies. Issues involving the military, economy, and relationships of the countries that arose during the French and Indian War would later affect future events.
Military wise, the French and Indian War provided the colonies with vital military experience in their new environment. Even prior to William Pitt becoming England’s secretary of state in 1757, the British had obtained hundreds of American recruits and trained them to be just as capable as British soldiers. According to statistics, about half of all New England men of military age had served in the war, with three quarters of those between the ages of 17 and 24. The fact that this many American soldiers had experience fighting in the wooded environment of the colonies provided an advantage for the American soldiers later on during the American Revolution.
Economic wise, the French and Indian War helped Britain, in a sense, to dig its own grave. The country was in massive amounts of war debt and although the economy helped stimulate economic development and create British assets into the colonies, it also made the colonies vulnerable to sudden changes in the British economy. During the French and Indian war, military contracts had brought wealth to the colonies by providing a business for ships, arms, uniforms, and provisions. However, after 1760, economic hardship fell on the working class whose tiny incomes could not provide security in the deteriorating economy.
Relationship wise, the French and Indian War provided the colonists with a transformed outlook upon the world. The colonists began re-evaluating their role in the world, and began seeing advantages to being independent from Britain. The idea of independence struck a chord in the colonists who felt that they were growing in strength. On the other side of the Atlantic however, Britain continued to see the colonies as subordinate to them. They had seen the colonists as unreliable and obstinate, believing that the colonists were no threat to them.
Well, Bekah, I know the French people would've still been upset about poverty and not as much representation and things like that, but the ideas from the American Revolution played a role, even if only a small one, in inspiring the French to stand up for themselves and their value as human beings. TJeff actually helped with their Declaration of the Rights of Man or something like that.
ReplyDeleteLaura made a great point before about how the war caused heavy taxes to emerge for the colonists who were already suffering enough in the weak economy. Her point leads up more to the American Revolution as high taxes were definitely a reason for colonists to revolt.
ReplyDeleteSarah also made a great comment about the loss of men from the war. It was interesting that she brought up the idea that many families were left fatherless or without a male figurehead in the home. Many times, women did not work and the men were the ones bringing home the income that helped them survive in the economy. Without the men, many families were struggling with the increase of taxes.
Although history has been affected greatly by the many different aspects of the French and Indian War, militarily speaking, the greatest effect was that England withdrew many of its troops from the colonies. This had a series of consequences that would lead the Americans to seek independence. The withdrawal of military personnel would have created two feelings in the colonies, the feeling of independence and the feeling of freedom. The feeling of independence would come because the colonists would feel that they could fend for themselves without Britain’s military. The greater of both effects though is the feeling of freedom. Soon, the colonists would become accustomed to not seeing British soldiers around. When revolution started gripping the colonies in the mid 1700’s, Britain started reintroducing soldiers into the colonies, especially with the Quartering Act (1765). This new but diminished presence of the British military, especially in the homes of the colonists, would create resentment that would fuel the revolution.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of relationship, the French and Indian War was a disaster for England but a plus for colonists seeking independence. The colonists after the war viewed themselves as capable to be self sufficient, but also as Americans instead of British. This was a dangerous situation for Britain as the slightest disturbance would upset the delicate balance of peace (which they later would obviously cross). This was not helped by the view the returning soldiers to Britain carried over. Their view of the colonists was that they were lazy, poor fighters how would lay down their weapons if told too. This view may have cause the British to underestimate the colonial strength and lose the war of independence.
The economic effects caused by the French and Indian War can be most directly attributed to the war of independence. After the war, as mentioned before by Laura and Carly, Britain was in huge debt and also in a depression. This is a dangerous combination and Britain sought to remedy this by using their mercantilist policies on the colonies. The colonists, who were already on the edge of revolt because of the effects of the earlier two aspects, were sent careening over after the great amount of taxes and restriction Britain placed on them. Overall, it can be assumed that without the French and Indian War there would have been much less of an incentive for the colonists to revolt and we could have all been part of Britain today (although that’s probably very unlikely).
I agree with Bekah's point that a revolution would still have taken place eventually, but, the French revolution helped inspire the colonists to fight back, and continue fighting even when they were losing the Revolutionary War. If the French and Indian war didn't occur, the colonists would most likely have had a different mind set about the war; and might have surrendered after the first few losses. I'm not saying that the French and Indian war was THE major inspiration for the colonists to rebel, but it sure was important.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Marco's point that England's mercantilist goals were to tax the colonies so they could pay off the war debt. I believe this fact is overlooked by many, and it also explains why England enforced heavy taxes on the colonists.
The French and Indian War, perhaps being part of one of the first true “World Wars” inevitably affected the future in many ways. One of the most obvious is the affects on military subjects, because it was a war. The experience of a war in the Americas allowed future revolutionary leaders military the ability to effectively command troops and whatnot. The war also weakened the British military a bit, which perhaps weakened their hold a bit despite winning the war. Also, the war killed many men in battle, leaving many widows and a general dissatisfaction with life at the moment and perhaps a want for change. This brings us to our next major issue that influenced the future.
ReplyDeleteFinancial troubles were caused directly by the French and Indian War, which led to even more dissatisfaction of the colonists. With England’s deficit increased greatly, the colonists were made to pay part of it as well with many taxes. Also, during the war, economy thrived, with it easy to find jobs with such demands for clothing and anything the military needed. Once the war ended, however, the colonists were hit by a lack of demand and because of this, many declined to poverty. This left the colonists rather anxious to escape any financial burden they might have, and England’s taxes seemed like the least relevant one to their lives.
Relationships and status of countries in the Americas after the war affected the future greatly. England firmly established itself as the greatest colonial power in North America. The colonists, without the French and Spanish threatening them nearly as much as before, having England as their patron and protector seemed much less necessary. Now the relationship between the colonists and England was much more parasitic than it was before, with the colonies being a source of revenue for England, while the colonists were now becoming more and more self-sustaining. This clearly foreshadowed the revolution.
My response to other people: I totally agree with those who agreed with me in their posts. Pretty much everybody said how the war gave experience to revolutionary leaders… And other people said it first, so credit goes to them! Chris stated how it was caused by centuries of buildup and tension in Europe, which was nice, because anything that’s the result of centuries of buildup will have some effect on the future. Also, Carly directly referenced Europe in terms of the French Revolution, which was very nice too!
The Anglo-Spanish War ended in 1748 which ended up causing French Anglo issues. But the end of the war did not change the way the French and English viewed each other in the colonies. They still had hatred for each other and at this time period, the English colonies were growing which caused many English colonists to penetrate in the French lands. This was the beginning of the war which saw a lot of different military strategies which affected future events. The French had the advantage in the beginning of the war because they won Native American support which made William Pitt make a huge decision. He decided to enlarge his army by sending 23,000 British soldiers and 14,000 mariners. This affected future events the most because this helped the English colonies win battles which helped them gain support from Native Americans. This in conclusion would take the French out of the new world.
ReplyDeleteBefore the war Britain had an excelling economy because of all of there restrictions on the colonies trading system. But as in every war, debt forms from buying and producing weapons, ships and etc. This war caused huge financial problems for Great Britain and in the colonies. Changes were being made because of bad economy, for example, they could only maintain a small army in the colonies and purchasing land became too difficult with economy. The effect of the French and Indian war also caused much higher priced taxes on colonies which would make wealthy merchants into poor merchants. This caused many shop keeps and craftsmen to raise prices of there goods but demand still was slumping.
There were many relationship issues going on in the war. For example, the French and the English. They have had issues going back to times in Europe dealing with religion and the Anglo-Spanish War caused more controversy. These tensions they had during the war would lead to the future events of the French leaving the colonies. The French and English weren’t the only relationship issues though. During the war, the English colonist had a bad relationship with the Native Americans. The Native Americans were angry with English colonists with an incident of the Kayaderossera stealing land from Iroquois. The relationship by end of war improved because they ended up joining forces, but Britain still didn’t give much respect to the Natives after the war. The British parliament created racial boundaries to separate the natives from the English colonizers.
Repercussions of events during the French and Indian war changed the course of American history in many ways. Militarily, the colonists became experienced fighters. Future American political dissent leaders were also trained to lead and fight, such as Samuel Adams and George Washington.
ReplyDeleteFinancial consequences were also to be had. The British military reinforcements that were sent by William Pitt during the war cost much money to the country of England. Parliament needed to undo the damage done to the national debt, and began to tax the colonies more heavily as a result. This not only caused dissent, but ended up being one of the major reasons the American revolution took place so soon.
The American relationship with England became much more tense after the British troops began to see the Americans. Both groups of people disliked each other. The British thought of the Americans as barbaric, and their land as worthless. The Americans became aware of their new found independence from England after the war, because their only European enemies were driven out. Tensions with Native Americans also rose. The English government began to create reservations to separate the colonists and Indians. Indians who fought on the French side in the war were mistrusted. The consequences of the French and Indian War would set the colonies on a course for revolution.
I thought all of the other comments summed up the major issues of the war quite well. I agree with Emily T that Britain essentially dug its own grave by helping the colonists learn to fight and take up arms. I also agree with what many people have said about the colonies becoming more self sufficient. This led to a feeling of national pride, and an urge to become independent.
England and France rivaled for colonial territory and wealth during the French and Indian war. Before the war started in 1754, tensions between the two European countries were growing more and more each day as they both tried to push their boundaries and extend their amount of land in North America. After this gruesome conflict was resolved, the economic, militarily, and social aspects of the countries were greatly affected and changed.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between colonists and their mother country defiantly shifted after the French and Indian war was over. Prior to this, colonists were perceived as weaker and that their duty was to obey and in return they received protection. This was all changed after the war, the colonists felt a new sense of identity and believed that they could support and take care of themselves. There was no need to rely and depended on another country. Even though the British still viewed the colonists as “an obstinate and ungovernable people", the relationship that used to transpire in the past definitely shifted and gave colonists hope for the future.
In relation to this new mind set of independence the colonists obtained it also went hand in hand with their new military experience. The death toll of the French and Indian war was incomprehensible, which constantly taking people from the colonies and training them to become soldiers turned into a necessity. The colonists were trained harshly and then set out to war. The introduction to fighting tactics and military was introduced to the colonies as more and more colonists were recruited. This new found knowledge will later help the colonists in winning their independence from Europe. The training for this war was like a spark that would later created a huge fire.
Lastly, the French and Indian war created a huge war debt for England. During the war jobs were plentiful because there was a constant supply for goods, including ships and clothing but after the war ended the economy went downhill. It was impossible to find jobs and to make up for the lack of money colonists were heavily taxed. This created tension once again in the colonies and the gap between the wealthy and the poor grew. The war debt also meant that instead of retaining a large amount of soldiers in the interior of America as they would have liked to, England only could maintain a small one. The lack of money and dwindling economy greatly affected the country and citizens.
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ReplyDeleteThe French and Indian War was a predecessor to many important events that would follow in shaping history. There were three main categories that would help lead to these future events.
ReplyDeleteOne category that shaped future events was military. Obviously since the English defeated the French in the French and Indian War with their military the French had hard feelings against the English. When it came around to the American Revolution and the colonists were fighting the British the colonists realized they were going to need an ally to fight the strong British troops. The colonists asked the French to assist them in fighting the British, and because they lost to the British in the French and Indian War they made a military alliance with colonists to help them. It is because of this military alliance that the colonists were able to defeat the English and establish the United States.
Another category that shaped future events was financial issues. After the French and Indian War Great Britain realized all the money it had used trying to protect its colonies in the Americas. Since the British spent all of this time and money defending its colonies it wanted to make sure that its “cash cow” was producing its full potential. In order to make sure that this happened the British put in place new taxes and laws to make sure that all goods were coming back to England and not being smuggled and also to make more money. These new laws and taxes eventually led to the anger of the colonists that would spark the American Revolution.
The final category that shaped future events was relationship issues. Relationship issues between the colonists and the English. After the French and Indian War the British said that the colonists were “ungovernable and poor fighters”. With this kind of rationale of the colonists this was the beginning of the end for this bad relationship. After the war the British put in place many new laws and government officials in the colonies to make sure the colonies would not go astray. Eventually the British came up with more and more laws which would eventually push the colonists over the edge and start the American Revolution.
Without these events and categories the present would be very different. In many cases if certain events did not happen than the United States of America have not been made.
I agree with Carlydee in that the fore fathers of America gained the expierience they would need to fight in the American Revolution because they fought in the French and Indian War.
ReplyDeleteI agree with David in that the English economic deficit put pressure on the colonists because the British put so many taxes on the colonists. This would later lead to protests like the Boston Tea Party, and eventually lead to the American Revolution.
I agree with Marco's assumption on the relationship between the British and the colonists. I like how he talked about how the colonists were becoming more distant from the British because a sense of wanting independence was sweeping the colonies. Which would lead to the American Revolution.
The French-Indian War was a crucial event in American history that affected military, financial and relationship issues. Financialy, the British economy took a turn for the worse because it had to pay so much for war debt from the French-Indain War. This put the British in a sticky situation. Who should they tax more their own people or their colonies? Well, they went with the colonies and this is what caused relationships between England and the colonoies strained. The colonies already felt as if they were starting to become their nation. They thought of themselves as seperate from England So the Colonies did not want to pay for Britain's recovory of their economy. This was one of the main reasons for America's drive torwards independence. Lastly, during the French and Indain war, the English leaders provided teaching of future American leaders like George Washington. Washing ton lost many battles during the French-Indain war but he gained important experience that helped him in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree a lot with what everybody said. I agree that the colonist gainded a lot of pride when they won the French-Indian war which caused them to feel more independent. I also agree that it also gave the colonies more confidence as well.
Justin makes a very good point that the alliance between the French and colonists were crutcial in order to establish an independent country
ReplyDeleteI agree with Derek that when England established heavy taxes the colonists had to pay is when they finally had enough and starting brainstorming how and when they were going to fight back. This establishment was the turning point for the colonists.
The French and Indian War advanced several changes in military, finance, and relations during the 18th century. In military, William Pitt created an enormous army of soldiers to defeat the Indians who were aiding the French. Although they ended up winning many battles, the toll it took on Britain was tremendous. The increase in casualties resulted in a heavy decrease of England’s population.
ReplyDeleteFinancially, the war had cost a fortune and put a huge amount of the colonists in heavy debt due to the high taxes the English had enforced even though the Navigation Act and the Molasses Act earned them a decent profit. Colonists disliked the fact that the English were tightening their hold on the colonies by implementing all of these new laws and as a result, they resented the English for many years. Eventually, they were so fed up with them and struggled to fight for their independence in the American Revolution.
The relationships during the war were no better than the conflicts of military and finance. The English completely distrusted the French and Indians and they lived in great tension. The war destroyed French and English relations because of their hostilities towards one another and the fact that the English had entered into French territories. This weakened relationship caused them to not be able to live peacefully amongst each other and created distrust for quite some time. Lastly, the relationship between the English and the colonists was greatly destabilized as well. Because the English kept on enforcing rules upon the colonists, they felt the need to bend them and later on, they caused so much controversy that ultimately led to the American Revolution.
I agree with Justin in the fact that the increase of constricting rules and laws angered the colonists to eventually rebel and start the American Revolution. In addition, the point that carly made was well written as well. The English had to continue to deal with the French because little did they know, the French allied with the colonists to start a new war for their fight for freedom and independence.
ReplyDeleteThrough the time period of the Seven Years War, several changes took place among the French, the Native Americans, and the English colonists of the eastern coast of the Americas. As each group of people faced their own challenges all intertwined with the actions of the surrounding populations, these actions tied all of them together. And with the conflicts that they all faced, several economic, military, and relationship issues/changes arose from the events which had took place. Some of these changes and issues were strong promoters of what was to come in the future for all of them.
ReplyDelete(Relationship) In the early stages of the war, English population had increased dramatically, eventually, (1750) rising to a staggering 1.25 million, then to 1.75 million within the next decade. But with such a dramatic population change, the people of the English colonies pushed westward on approaching the French, as well as the Native Americans. Invading the land in which they had lived in for so long, caused several relationship issues offsetting both the French, and the Indians, whom had been dealing with each other through trade and military business for quite some time now. The population change of the colonies was leading to an expansion of land in which problems were being created between the intertwined groups of populations, which inhabited the Americas. Clashing viewpoints and expansion would eventually lead to more struggle and border disputes among the Midwest. (Especially for Native Americans, as the result nowadays shows within their reservations.)
(Economic/Military combined) These relationship issues between the three major groups led to serious struggles for the French. As the war emboldened many of the people of the colonies at times, several merchants and businessmen agreed that the French trade overseas in the Atlantic had to be ended. The English wanted control, but first they would have to deal with the trade system France had already established in the interior of the Americas. With the French being targeted, they met the English challenge as troops clashed soon as 3,000 French regulators faced thousands of English troops in North America. As this war and the promotion of “belligerence”* was pushed on the colonists, seeking help from the Iroquois in order to fight and several English men met at Albany in order to discuss the actions which they would have to take.
(Consequences) Eventually once the war ended, several territorial changes took place. Florida was given up, by the Spanish, to the English in exchange for Havana, which had been taken over by the English. The French had pushed westward, and northward on, gaining Canada and a significant amount of territory west of the Mississippi. Other than territorial affects, huge human tolls had to be paid and colonies had to recover from the damage done.
Ultimately all of these conflicts and struggles led to nations pushing for further government among the colonies, in messages delivered, through the taxation of several goods among the colonies. This taxation would eventually lead to events such as the Boston Tea Party, and the Boston Massacre, marking early signs of violence, in a much bigger conflict to come.
I personally agree with everything that was expressed here. We've all made great points and both briefly and thoroughly elaborated on the information which we've presented each other with, supported by opinion, as well as fact. However, being to the point, I really agree with what Bekah stated early on about each of the issues that the colonies, French, and Native Americans experienced as well as everybody in the global environment. The nations were indeed put at strain, and they very much did stay in conflict for an extremely long time. Some of the minor conflicts even last till today. But being to the point, several people were lost within the North Americas, a fact that needs to be recognized because obviously if massive bloodshed was to be spread among these lands then their significance and value would naturally rise to the global nations which inhabited it and gained interest within it. All these thoughts pass onto modern day civilization as well, for what has value, will always be fought for, politically, militarily, financially, and through whatever other ways one may need to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everybody in th blog. i didnt incorporate the American revolution in my post but it is a neccessary component of the future events. I also agree how Derek stated that Washington lost many battles which he would only take as an atvantage to be a leader in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe outcome of war produces consequences, issues, new tensions and new ideals that shape the future in one form or another. The Seven Years' War lined the way to a massive conflict in the future, and it started from tensions between the French and the British over territory and power that led to a war, which led to another war, and another etc.. It's like a small oil leak that grows larger and larger until a small spark sets the whole problem ablaze and results in total conflict.
ReplyDeleteFrom pouring thousands and thousands of pounds into their campaign, the British found themselves in serious debt. England viewed their colonies only as a commodity and a tool for their own benefits, neither caring about the colonist's lives - they spent many settler's lives during the war - nor their livelihood. england imposed heavy taxes on goods, controlled trade and attempted to enforce their laws on the market. The economy faced depression in the 1760s and many merchants and artisans went bankrupt. England's first mistake was their treatment of the colonists as a tool rather than human beings. Their second mistake was the heavy taxes they forced onto the, already poor, settlers. These unsettling injustices towards the colonists did not sit well with them. If you cage an animal, it's instinct will be to get out.
After fighting the war, the colonists underwent a new sense of purpose in freeing themselves from the repression of the ruling European countries and their submission to Engliand. They had a taste of freedom, unity and the beginnings of American pride. The British dismissed their notion, however - which was another big mistake - and viewed themselves as superior, claiming that the colonists were "unreliable and fought poorly." These underestimating ideals caught the English off guard and when they finally figured out that the Americans were capable of resisting their controls, it was too late and the relationship between them were already spoiled.
England made the mistake of training military leaders like George Washington, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Christopher Gadsden, arming them with the skills to lead their colonies into a revolution sparked by financial and relationship issues with the mother country. England's plan to train these men to fight for them basically backfired, and thus, in a chain reaction, helped New England gain its independence. Their revolution also ignited patriotism not only in America, but in other countries as well, e.g. France who followed the American example of independence. The revolution would not have been the same without its great leaders and hypothetically, could not have succeeded without them. It's due to their experience, expertise and leadership that produced a vast long-term effect on history.
I agree with Alex J when he says " all these thoughts pass onto modern day civilization as well, for what has value, will always be fought for, politically, militarily, financially, and throught whatever other ways one may need to." All these things from the past build up, and as a prideful nation, we don't forget out history and where we all started out. And I definately agree with Carly D about the past affecting the future. Even though the British thought that they were done with everything and could go back to controlling their colonies because they simply "won the war", they missed the fact that their past actions, altered history and affected American movement, which began something bigger than they could have imagined.
The French and Indian war allowed the colonists an opportunity to increase their military skill. Many young men enlisted in the army, and gained the knowledge and experience necessary to fight a war. Generals such as Washington won and lost some of his first battles in the French and Indian War. It is debatable that without this necessary military experience, the colonies could have never won their independence from England in the American Revolution.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Pitt put most of his effort and finances into the war in America, which created an enormous debt for the country. The British had already instilled a system of mercantilism, and the debt only increased the economic control over the colonies. England needed to get itself out of debt, and they used the colonies as their tools. By limiting the colonies’ economic success through laws such as the navigation acts, England could prosper. England’s extremely large debt created by the French Indian war caused an increase in English involvement in the colonies’ economy.
The French and Indian war increased the conflict between England and the colonies. Due to the England’s large involvement in the war, they viewed the colonists as unreliable and lazy. After the war, England also tightened their grip on the colonies causing discontent. The poor relationship between the colonies and its motherland was further worsened by the French and Indian war.
I see that the opposing side of the argument that the French and Indian war lead to the American revolution is under represented. We must not forget that this war significantly increased tension between England and its colonies as well as England and France. Without this war, relations between the colonies and England could have remained stable instead of worsening after the heat of battle. Without these high tensions, the colonists would have never even started a revolution. If England stayed out of France's North American affairs, their conflict could have also remained in Europe instead of spreading to the Americas. Without the French and Indian war increasing conflicts, the American Revolution would not have occured.
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