American-British Relations After the French and Indian War

The effects of the French and Indian War on American-British relations were mostly detrimental to the interactions between the groups, however, caused some unity between British soldiers and average colonials. Negative tension between the colonists and British was mostly a result of British arrogance. The colonists were generally confident in their military strength after the French and Indian War, yet English officers refused to recognize any American militia commission above the rank of captain. This was due to the feeling of superiority soldiers had over amateurs, thus humiliating them and portraying them as failures. This caused tension because Americans felt they deserved credit for saving their New World colonies, and the title of inferiority placed on them by England angered them. Secondly, British officials were further distressed that American shippers trafficked food and supplies to the Spanish and French Indies, thinking that they were unsupportive of the English side of the war. Furthermore, other colonials refused to provide troops and money for the war, due to the fact that they felt alienated and lacked the rights privileges of Englishmen. This emptiness was slightly healed when William Pitt offered to reimburse the colonies, but did not replenish enthusiasm. Despite the British and American relations, however, a sense of unity was achieved between English officers and colonists, who discovered that they shared similar languages and ideals. From such attitudes, colonials were enriched with a new spirit of independence as well. Overall, the effects of the French and Indian War on American-British relations were mixed, due to negative tension between the groups as results of feelings of superiority, and the unity of the groups through common ideas.