An Analysis of Britain’s Imperial Policies During the Time Period from 1763 to 1776

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An analysis of Britain’s imperial policies during the time period from 1763 to 1776 reveals that British policies regarding issues like taxation and political representation were directly responsible for intensifying colonial resistance to British rule and for strengthening the colonials’ commitment to republican values. Great Britain’s 1763 victory over France in the Seven Years War made it the dominate power in North America, but the challenges associated with managing such a vast Empire required British policymakers to make tough decisions in the years following the war. The Proclamation of 1763 created an incredible amount of anger not only in the colonies, but also with the Native Americans. Many of the actions that resulted from the Proclamation were simply due to the lack of cooperation between the British, colonists and Native Americans. Britain had taken what was rightfully won by the colonies, and this fueled the colonists desire for the American Revolution. In 1763, the French and Indian War had come to an end and removed several ominous barriers which opened up a host of new opportunities for the colonists. The colonies now had access to the great western frontier that had opened to them when the French ceded that contested territory to the British. Although this was a joy to the colonists, Native Americans were enraged with British rule, and a rebellion was then started. Pontiac’s Rebellion was led by Chief Pontiac from the Ottawa tribe in the Ohio Valley. Not only was Chief Pontiac angered, but so was the rest of the Native American tribes within their land. Angered by British rule after the French and Indian War, Pontiac and his followers attacked British forts and settlements. The celebration of new opportunity died quick, for the King and his council had presented the Proclamation of 1763 as a measure to calm the fears of the Native American

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