Fighting for independence Colonies on the Eve of the Revolution

By the middle of the 18^th century, English colonies in North America were still closely linked to Great Britain, though the resistance to mother country inside the colonies grew. The period between 1760 and 1775, was a time of growing gap between the mother country and colonies when taxes, trade restrictions, political decisions at a distance, and violations on religious and social rights began to anger colonists.

Before American Revolution actually started, it was, as John Adams said, "in the minds of people", who wanted progress for the colonies rather than independence from Britain. While the tension between Britain and colonies was constantly growing, colonial politicians still tried to preserve peaceful relations with mother country and even when the fighting started, there were many people, who were reluctant to sever political relationship with England.

There were some important events that changed relations between England and colonies and altered the balance of power in North America–a series of wars, which ended with imperial reorganization and new taxes, tariff duties and other restrictions levied by British Parliament on American colonies.

The French and Indian War

During the 18^lh century, France and Britain were engaged in a series of wars, the most important of which for colonies in North America became the Seven Years War in 1754. In America this war got the other name – the French and Indian War.

The war started at the time, when the French and Spanish had already established strong positions around the boundaries of English colonies. Spain spread its outpost in Florida and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, while the French possessed very important interior territories along the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River to New Orleans. The French also established strong relationship with local Indian tribes so they protected the fur trade from the English rivals.

The war started as fighting for west frontiers of English colonies and soon developed into a struggle for nominal control of the North American continent. The first armed clash between the French army and Virginia militiamen, which took place in 1754 in Pennsylvania, was lost by the colonists. The conflict had to be resolved – so British officials insisted on the meeting of the delegates from seven northern and middle colonies with the representatives of the Indian tribes on the Albany Congress. Though the relations with the Indians were not improved, the Congress adopted an important resolution – the Albany Plan of Union, which aimed to establish an elected intercolonial legislature with the power to tax. The plan developed by Benjamin Franklin, called for the Union, but was unanimously rejected by colonial governments as they feared loss of autonomy.

The war, which began in North America, soon involved half of the world. It was fought in North America till 1760, during this time the British won decisive battles in Quebec and took Montreal, the last French stronghold. After 1760, the war continued for three more years in the Caribbean, India, and Europe.

The war ended with the Peace of Paris, signed in 1763. By this treaty France ceded its major North American holdings to Britain. Britain also got Spanish Florida, whereas Spain extended its possessions to French Louisiana.

Now victorious Britain faced another problem – how to govern such vast territories inhabited by not only English-speaking Protestants, but also by French-speaking Catholics from Quebec and large numbers of Indians. In order to maintain control over the territories the British issued a proclamation, which forbade the colonists to move into Indian lands.

The proclamation set up western boundaries of the colonies and aimed to restrict settlements that could provoke new wars with Indian tribes. Colonists had already established farms west from the proclamation line, they viewed the Proclamation Line as a disregard of their right to occupy and settle western lands.

The first step, restricting rights of the colonists, was followed by a series of others, which finally brought the growing tension to the revolution.