Impact of Seven Years War
Impact of Seven Years War:
The ultimate cause of severe conflict seething in the colonies was the worldwide Seven Years’ War (1756-63) which was fought between England and France, in America, India, and central European countries. The war influenced the world extensively. The Americans did not extend sufficient help to the British army during the war. Besides, the consignment of provisions meant for the British army was looted and sold clandestinely to the French troops. In addition to it, the Americans carried on trade with France. The colonies siphoned out immense benefits during the war. They seized upon an opportunity for the development of their industries. A governor of New York predicted: “If once the Americans succeeded in independently procuring the cloth they needed, they would never accept the intervention of England”. An opportunity cropped up at that time when farmers sold their crops at exorbitant prices and laborers charged excessive wages. But at the end of the war, they were deprived of the benefits of war and began to search for a solution for their miseries.
After the end of the Seven Years’ War, England occupied Canada and America was relieved of the French danger in the North. It is noteworthy that the American colonists were always afraid of an invasion by the French immigrants settled in Canada and the colonists had to depend upon England for their security. Now the English colonies realized that their connection with England was of no use. Therefore, after the end of the Seven Years’ War, there emerged a great change in the attitude of the colonies and they began neglecting the power of England.
Another result of the war was that the colonies realized their strength on the basis of their meritorious participation with the British soldiers. The colonies learned from their experience how to wage a war with their resources and troops to achieve a common aim.
After the Seven Years’ War, England possessed a vast area from the Mississippi River to the Algain Mountain range. The inhabitants of American colonies then decided to extend their boundaries towards the West and wanted to drive out the natives from there. So the natives on the West Front revolted during 1763-64, and there was heavy bloodshed. The Red Indians of North America hated the English from the beginning but they liked the French too much. The colonists were very keen to make good use of their rapidly increasing population in the conquered territories. In this way, there was a great clash between the British government and the specific interests of the colonies. To meet the demand for more land, various colonies claimed their right to extend their boundary up to the river Mississippi in the West. The British government maintained that the Red Indians should be allowed some time to regain peace of mind otherwise there might start a series of wars. Therefore, by means of a Royal Proclamation made in 1763 the entire area stretching from Ellegnes, Florida, and Mississippi to Quebac, was earmarked for the Red Indians. It stopped the colonists from marching towards the West and they thought the British government to be their enemy.