In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, we hear the line “taxation without representation” as being one of the key contributors to the colonies dissatisfaction with Great Britain.
The “Seven Years” war, preceded the Revolutionary war and Great Britain expended a significant amount of money in those conflicts. As a result of this, Great Britain was looking to recoup money any way they could. Taxing the American Colonies to recoup this great cost was a key catalyst in the American Colonies dissatisfaction with Great Britain.
FYI – the “Seven Years” war was commonly known as the “French and Indian War” in the American Colonies.
Understanding the background of the “Seven Years” war is key to understanding the financial and political background present in the American Colonies.
The treaties signed at the conclusion of the Seven Years war resulted in Great Britain rising in status as a global power.
This also elevated the status of George Washington, who was a 22-year-old Major during the first North American military battles between Great Britain and France (French and Indian Wars) and eventually Washington became commander of the Virginia colony’s military regiment. Yes, George Washington fought initially for Great Britain.
If you are interested in learning more, please read the following article by http://www.historyfacts.com If you have not subscribed, please do so for regular content about American history.
Enjoy!
The French and Indian War served as important training for those who, like Washington and others, later became the military leaders of the revolution. They learned wilderness as well as British tactics and got to know the strengths and weaknesses of British leaders. In 1776 in “Common Sense” Thomas Paine wrote:
“At the conclusion of the last war, we had experience, but wanted numbers; and forty or fifty years hence, we should have numbers, without experience; wherefore, the proper time, must be some particular point between the two extremes, in which a sufficiency of the former remains, and a proper increase of the latter is obtained: And that point of time is the present time.”
Thanks Brad! Appreciate your update and adding to the article content. Tim