The French and Indian War, which lasted from 1754 to 1763, was a fight between Great Britain and France. This conflict had a big impact on the American colonies and set the stage for the American Revolution.

Here’s how the war affected things:

1. Territorial Gains:

• The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
• This treaty gave Britain control over a lot of land, including Canada and areas east of the Mississippi River.
• Now Britain had to figure out how to govern and protect these new lands.

2. Financial Burden:

• The war left Britain with a huge national debt, around $133 million (which is over$3 billion today).
• To pay off this debt, Britain wanted to get money back from the colonies, which had not helped much financially during the war.

3. Increased Taxation:

• Britain started putting taxes on the colonies to raise money:
  • The Sugar Act in 1764 taxed sugar and molasses, making it harder for colonists to earn money.
  • The Stamp Act in 1765 made colonists buy special stamped paper for things like legal papers and newspapers, which upset many people.
• Overall, taxes for the colonies went up by about 20%.

4. Colonial Resistance:

• Britain wanted to tax the colonies without giving them a voice in decisions. This made colonists angry and they started shouting "no taxation without representation."
• Colonial leaders began to protest, and groups like the Sons of Liberty were formed to stand up against these taxes.

5. Political Unity:

• The war helped the colonies work together against a common enemy, which created a sense of unity.
• When they saw British policies as unfair, this feeling of unity grew even stronger. It led to organized protests, including the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

In summary, the French and Indian War changed the maps of North America and made the colonies realize they wanted to stand up to British rule. As they faced higher taxes and political challenges, they began to seek more representation and support each other in their fight for their rights.