Prior to a collection of wars eventually named the French and Indian Wars, the British government largely let the colonies rule themselves. However, once these conflicts between western French colonies and Native Americans occurred, the British government spent millions of pounds (the British currency) on defending their colonies in North America. After the wars, this prompted a drastic increase in British government involvement in the colonies, largely to get the colonists to pay for the wars Britain had waged in their defense as well as prevent another such war from occurring. The most notable example you should have noticed from your reading is the Proclamation of 1763.
Questions:
1. What did the Proclamation of 1763 do?
2. Did the British government have the authority to set forth such a proclamation in the colonies?
3. Was this increase in government justified?
I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and look forward to seeing you in two weeks!