British-American Relations

The French and Indian War created bitter relations between American colonies and Britain due to the friction between English officers and American militiamen, the colonial self-confidence the battles had formed, and the unity and new visions developed by the recently built self-confidence. British officials regarded colonists, both before and after the defeat of the French, as a lower people and "scum who had confessed failure by fleeing to the outhouses of civilization(115)". However, Americans took their success in the war and thought of themselves as the top of English civilization. Also, the lack of British support from the colonies through trade with Spanish and French West Indies and refusal to provide troops and funds even more offset relations between the colonies and Britain. The defeat of the French also raised colonial self-confidence. This provided Americans with a sense of exploration and want to push through the Appalachian Mountains to new land. However, London government prohibited settlement beyond the mountain range in its Proclamation of 1763. This upset countless Americans, who continued to push westward and disobey their leaders. The self-confidence formed by the war had also caused a development of unity and new vision. Americans saw themselves as an effective and mighty people who would continue to move forward. The feeling for independence was drawing near. Resulting, England wanted to continue to rule the colonies under strict control and were ready to take action. Although England had won the French and Indian War, a battle between colonists and Britons would soon arise.