The experiences of the colonists during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) played a big role in their feelings about independence. This war was a part of the larger Seven Years' War and mainly took place in North America. It was fought between the British and the French, along with their Native American allies.

Here are some key points about how this war affected the colonists:

1. Military Involvement:

   • Around 1.4 million colonists took part in the war, helping Britain with soldiers and supplies.
   • Even though they did a lot, many colonists felt ignored by British leaders in the military.

2. Financial Strain:

   • The war cost Britain a huge amount of money—about £70 million—putting them in serious debt.
   • To recover some of this money, Britain started taxing the colonies. One example is the Stamp Act (1765), which put taxes on about $1 million worth of goods each year.

3. Unity and Identity:

   • Going through the war together helped the colonies feel more united.
   • The Albany Congress in 1754 was the first time the colonies tried to work together, which helped set up future teamwork.

4. Dissatisfaction with British Rule:

   • After the war, some of Britain’s policies, like the Proclamation of 1763 that stopped colonists from moving west, made people unhappy.
   • More colonists started to see British control as unfair, which planted the seeds for revolutionary ideas.

All these experiences led to a stronger desire for independence and eventually contributed to the start of the American Revolution.