Analyze+the+role+the+French+and+Indian+war+played+in+the+American+Revolution.-+LM

Many people are familiar with the term: "the calm before the storm." It refers to a time period that sets the stage for something much bigger. Although one could hardly call the French and Indian war "calm", it could be said that it was the set-up for the storm known as the Revolutionary War. Americans felt totally differently about their positions in life post-French and Indian war, as opposed to how they felt before. They no longer had to worry about the French in Canada or the Spanish in Florida. Also, they had much less to worry about in terms of Indian relationships, because they had deprived the Indians of their favorite and most effective weapon. This weapon was the way the Indians had learned to manipulate the bad feelings between the French and British to further the interests of the Indians. Also, the British crushed Chief Pontiac's rebellion, so Americans most likely felt a lot more secure about sleeping at night, since they didn't have to worry as much about being scalped in their sleep by angry Indians. When people are more confident, they tend to branch out more and do things they want to do, such as rebel against an angering mother nation. The French and Indian war also helped set the stage for the Revolutionary war by winning the colonists land to the west of the Appalachian mountains. The colonists were eager to expand across the mountains and make use of the land that they paid for with the blood of their loved ones. Yet, these dreams were momentarily crushed when the Proclamation of 1763 was made. It stated that colonists were not allowed to settle the lands they had won. The Proclamation really was not made with the intention to limit the colonists simply for the sake of limiting them. It was made only to prevent the more bloodshed that was sure to ensue if the colonists invaded the Indian lands past the Appalachians. Of course, the colonists either didn't know this or didn't care. They were furious with Britain for "oppressing" them, and for the first time, they realized that Britain couldn't truly enforce such proclamations. Feelings of rebellion arose, and about a thousand wagons went west anyway. The French and Indian war also taught colonists a lot more about war and warfare. Before, the only type of fighting they needed was enough to keep them alive, but they probably would not be able to defend themselves in a war setting. This was completely changed after the war. Colonists learned guerilla warfare and also the fact that the extremely organized British troops weren't very good at combatting such attacks. Experience in this type of warfare, and simply warfare in general, would prove very beneficial for the colonists. Colonists were, as some would say, extremely "pumped up" after the victory in the French and Indian war. They saw their destiny completely change. With a new sense of independence, a high birthrate, and without any obvious looming threats from the French, Spanish, or Indians, there was no stopping the future Revolutionists.