After reading pages 144-156, what are your impressions of the relationship between the colonies and Britain leading up to the French and Indian War? How do you think the war will affect that relationship? Post two comments, one responding to the stimulus, and another in response to your classmates.
Before the French and Indian War, Britain's relationship with the colonies was not very strong. However, when the war began, both were forced to come closer together. Britain expected the colonies to step up to the front, fight, and do it because they wanted to, because they didn't want war. However, although the colonists were very proud of the redcoat soldiers, they didn't really step up to the challenge. I am suprised that the colonists were unwilling to fight for their own defense. Although it seems natural that people don't want to go to war, the war was not only Britain verses the French/Indians. The war was Britain/the colonies verses French/Indians.
ReplyDeleteI think that although it seems obvious that the success of Britain's victory will bring happiness, I think that the colonists are going to end up bitter, and hold a grudge against the Brits since they expected so much out of the colonists and demanded a lot.
The relationship between the colonies and Britain leading up to the French and Indian War was fairly weak. The colonies felt like they were being neglected by Britain and that they did not really matter. However, during the war, Britain and the colonies were required to fight together even though the colonists really did not want to. Due to the war, I feel that the relationship will become even weaker and tenser. The colonies will begin to realize how controlling Britain is and they will get fed up with the way they are treated.
ReplyDeleteBefore the French and Indian War, I agree with Courtney and Alexandra that the relationship between the colonies and Britain was weak. Also, Britain did not care about the colonies along as there was money and raw materials coming in. Britain did not have a lot of domestic problems at that time. A term for the relationship at that time would be salutary neglect. The colonies were only allowed to trade with Britain because of mercantilism (it would maximize the profit/income for Britain).
ReplyDeleteDuring the war, a relationship needed to be developed between the two because they were fighting against the same people. The book on page 145 quotes, "At first, the war with France generated fierce tensions between Britain and the colonies, but both sides learned to cooperate effectively until together they achieved victory." During the war, the red coats (highly disciplined professional soldiers) and provincials had to work together. The provincials (colonists) knew little about military drill and sometimes refused to obey orders that they disliked. Thousands of colonists (around 40% of strength, like it states on page 147) were enlisted in the British Army.
Also, during the war, many British officers despised the provincials, especially the officers. On page 152 of the textbook it states that a quote from General James Wolf was, "The Americans are in general the dirtiest most contemptible cowardly dogs that you can concieve." I believe that it was the harsh war and these opinions that will make the Colonies feel bitter towards Britain. They would began to place their own war of liberation and will now feel more of the need for unification (unlike how it failed around the years of 1754 and 1755). They do not want mistreatment from Britain anymore.
I totally agree with Courtney's response. Because Britain is so controlling during the French and Indian War, as they should be I guess, since they need help in order to defeat the French and Indians, the colonists become irritated. Frustration and irritation are obviously what causes the American Revolution. The American colonists soon began to realize that they could not thrive enless the British backed off. I read in the book that because the British handled the colonies loosely before the French and Indian war, the colonies grew and developed and were able to mold into their own states. However, when the British had a firm grasp on the colonists during the French and Indian War, they felt they were unable to breathe.
ReplyDeleteLeading up the the French and Indian War, North Americans began to dislike the British’s elitist and corrupt attitude towards the colonies. The Navigation Laws were defective legislations in the naive colonist’s perspective, but for the opportunists in England, were great catalysts into cheating more money out of import-dependent Americans.
ReplyDeleteWhile this was a bloody blow to American pride, the British Army’s presence in the colonies added insult to injury. Unpleasant conflicts arose in some cases -- perhaps because of the soldiers’ attitudes or because it is natural for any people to be intimidated by a foreign army’s close proximity (especially when they already dislike the army’s homeland) -- and Americans questioned whether the French and Indian War should even be fought at all. Popular colonial opinion was shafted in favor of the British monarch’s, which must have upset a significant portion of Americans (without legal representation, it would not seem like Americans were being treated ‘fairly’ or with respect).
After decades of ruling themselves and ignoring the world outside of their own colonies, Americans were being coerced into a war alongside soldiers from a culture that had branched out into one very unlike their own. The colonists eventually cooperated in order to defeat a common enemy, but it is doubtful they forgot who’s idea it was and who made sure they did it.
The relationship between the colonies and Britian had very much decreased. The colonies felt neglected as well as being controlled. Britian had used the colonies only as a "cash cow" not really caring about colonies real needs or even what the people wanted. Not being able to trade because of the navigation laws, the colonies realized that it need to become independent in order to be as successful as the other countries out there. Soon the colonies will have to stand up to the British so they can reach there full potential. :)
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between the colonies and Great Britain leading up to the French and Indian War seemed to be a bad relationship. The colonies were not happy that they were being controlled by Britain, and the way Great Britain was controlling them did not ease the pain. Personally, I think the the colonies and Great Britain were forced to deal with one another because of the war that they were facing. Although each side opposes the other, unity would be the key factor in achieving success. Without cooperation, failure for Great Britain and the colonies is likely.
ReplyDeletePrior to the French and Indian war there was a corrupt relationship between the colonies and England. The colonies did not like how England was treating them. England made the colonies feel useless but once the war started they needed to join forces because they were fighting on the same side. Although they were forced to fight together their relationship will most likely grow weaker. The colonies will soon realize how unfair the British are really treating them. Soon enough they will want to break free of the grasp that the English have on the.
ReplyDeleteAs the colonies became more and more developed, it became fairly obvious that their relationship with Britain was not as strong as it could (or even should) have been. They were only seen as a source of profit for the British, milked for whatever cash crops or raw materials that might be found there. The colonists, for the most part, lived in a different world without interaction by the English, besides this "milking" of resources, and as a result they became somewhat bitter due to neglect. Then when the war came, the two were forced to work together, even though, at this point, the colonists strongly resented the idea of working with the British. If they hadn't worked together they would surely have failed against the strength of the Native Americans.
ReplyDeleteI have a strong feeling that this will lead to greater struggles between England and the colonies as it will be a base of which more fighting may occur.
Peter F states a very important part of the relationship between England and the colonies. He brings up the point of the Navigation laws. As we learned today the laws were used to cheat the colonies out of their money. The British would not allow them to export more than they import. This will eventually annoy the colonies and they will not deal with it anymore. Once they realize that the British are trying to keep a strong control over them, they will begin to fight free from England's grasp.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Britain and its colonies was getting worse as the outcome of the war. Britain tried to help the colonies and took control afterward. It continued to trade with the colonies to make profit for its own. The colonies felt free to get the help form Britain at first, but later on they realized that they were lack of independence. Also, all British cared about is money, they did not govern the colonies much.
ReplyDeleteTo response with Aeron and Peter's point of nevigation laws, the law was an outgrowth of mercantilism. That also required the use of English or colonial ships to carry English trade. The law was totally taking advantages from the colonies.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between the English and the colonies was weak. The English negelected them. They were wrapped up in their own affairs and only cared as long as they were getting money from the colonies cash crops and raw materials. They controlled all of their exports.
ReplyDeleteThe Colonies could go to Britain for help but soon they realized thay wanted more freedom.
The relationship between the both Britain and the colonies continued to go from bad to worse due to the taxes from the war. As Peter F said it became clear that their relationship was not working out because Britain was using the colonies for a profit. Because they were using them for a profit it became difficult for their relationship to develop. This caused them to struggle when they were forced to fight together in a battle when they barley knew what each other was about. Neither knew what each other wanted or what their plans were when coming to fighting. However both knew that they would lose when it came to fighting the Native Americans. Therefore they had to put aside the differences even though that made it worse.
ReplyDeleteAs tiffany wrote, Great Britain became possessive of the colonies after a long period of self-dependence in the states. This change was not appreciated by Americans.
ReplyDeletePrior to the French and Indian War the colonies and Great Britain did not contain a secure relationship. The colonies were claimed under Great Britain but nonetheless, they governed themselves in their own style. Thus, both parities accepted the fact that each other held different values. At the same time, England still relied on the colonies as a major economic benefit and was definitely not willing to jeopardize that role. At the beginning of the war high tensions between the colonies and Great Britain existed but ultimately both were able to cooperate with one another. Britain’s main priority was to not lose the colonies as an economic provider. Moreover, if England felt they were losing authority over the colonies, regular taxing would be imposed on them to ensure their loyalty. In addition, the two didn’t hold a strong relationship throughout the war. Some English officers would criticize colonial soldiers as, “the dirtiest most contemptible cowardly dogs.”-General James Wolfe, British officer
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I agree with Peter and his statement in regards to the Navigation Laws. The colonies were only seen as a “cash cow”- shout out to mr o- by England and this along with there excessive presence would lead to more conflict down the road.
Before the French and Indian War there was a fraudulent relationship between England and the colonies. England was treating the colonies badly, and the colonies did not approve of this. The colonies hated the fact that they were being controlled by England and they way the British were treating them was unacceptable and unfair in the eyes of the colonies. However, when the war began England forced the colonies to join together and fight on the same side. I feel because if the war, the relationship between England and the colonies became weaker and weaker.
ReplyDeleteAs Jamiela stated, the British used the colonies for their “cash cow” which led to the England economy to gain money. England started this system of having any goods exported from the colonies, had to be stopped at England, due to navigation laws. This I feel was inequitable and unfair for the colonies.
ReplyDeleteI failed to mention this in my last post but I strongly agree with (the other) Peter in that the Navigation Laws were a corrupt system on laws in which the British took advantage of the resource-starved colonists. While necessary for the British to have a strong military structure holding together the colonies, it was not a very strategic move to keep red coat soldiers so close to the colonist citizens as conflicts were sure to arouse (and they did).
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Jamiela and Brielle. Britain saw the colonies as a "cash cow" and nothing else. They did not care about what could benefit the colonies or hurt them. Also both Peters mentioned the Navigation Laws. I agree that this was a bad move since it took complete advantage of the colonists, which would cause them to become irriated and eventually want their independence.
ReplyDeleteAs Zoe stated, a primary reason Great Britain didn't have a good relationship with the colonies was because of neglect. Britain realistically only cared about the money it was getting from the colonies. If Great Britain wasn't so greedy, the relationship amongst the two would be stronger, therefore avoiding a lot of problems they ran into. Having said this, things at the time were much easier said than done, which provides us with an explanation as to why Great Britain and the colonies didn't have the best of relationships.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Zak because Great Britain was so greedy it made the relationship harder to develop. If Britain had made the choice to share it's profits and plans with the colonies they may not have struggled to much in the long run. By joining the colonies in the fight they could have possibly made a great team and alliance overall resulting with success financially, and relationships.
ReplyDeletethe relationship between England and the colonies was one where England pretty much let the colonies do what they wanted and used them just to get money. they were used ruthlessly for trade and taxed heavily for trading with other countries, most of which were required to go through England to trade with the colonies at all. Other than that the colonies were self governed, they could control their form of government, elect their own leaders and practice what ever realigions they wanted to. It was an almost sweet deal...other than the trade laws.
ReplyDeleteLeading up to the French Indian War, the colonies and Britain were not on very good terms. Britain only saw the colonies as a “cash cow” from which they could gain wealth. This caused Britain to impose unfair laws such as the Navigation Laws which allowed trade only with Britain. This was not good for the relationship between Britain and the colonies, because they now were very limited in trade options. At that time exports were very important to the colonists, because that’s how they made most of their money. The war actually benefited the relationship between the two, because they joined forces against a common enemy, the French and Native Americans. After the war however, the relationship went downhill eventually causing the Revolutionary War.
ReplyDeleteCJ has a very valid point in which he says that both parties, the British and the colonists, accepted the fact that each other held different values. The colonists had different forms of government from the British which started to show independence. This is one of the reasons that the British imposed the Navigation Laws and taxes on the colonies, to limit their power/wealth. Regardless of their political differences they had to team up to defeat the French and Indians.
ReplyDeleteThe colonies and britian didn't get along very much. Britian was using the colonies for money, in which, Britain gains money, and the colonies don't. Britain decided they were going to "control" the colonies by having them follow laws that weren't very fair. One being the navigation laws, which limited trade for the colonies. Limited as in, they could only trade with one place, Britain. That didn't help the colonies economy very much. THey were limited, and this angered the colonists, making the relationship between britain and the colonies go down hill. This one trade system was called Mercantilism. All of these wars were happening. Such as the French and Indian war. Where as the Colonies and Britain were up against the same country, so they shared enemies. This eventually did not turn out so well and the Revolutionary war was created.
ReplyDeletei agree with Courtney, the British did not care for the colonies as a whole, they looked at them for people who do the work for them. Make the money for them. The navigation laws did not help their relationship, and the laws were a very poor decision on Britain's part.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Britain and the colonies pre-war was one of disdain and neglect. The colonies felt like Britain was acting superior to them because of the way they were being treated. They were British as well as the people back home were yet they were being taxed ridiculous amounts of money while back home the taxes were much lower. The British didn't treat the colonists as countrymen, they didn't even treat them like any other country, they treated them worse by taxing them much more and forcing them to trade with them for the most part. The colonies were being fully taken advantage of by Britain and soon enough they realized how badly they are being treated. The war caused them to fight together, but they did not fight unified, the differences between the two forces was clearly shown. The Britains were dressed in red coats and stuck together while the colonists in leather all stuck together as well.
ReplyDeleteAs many have touched on above, the colony was most definitely a "cash cow" as they were just milked for all of their money in every situation by the British.
Leading up to the French-Indian war the colonies' relationship with Great Britain was not very good. The colonies felt like they were being neglected by Britain and that they were not of importance. However, during the war, the colonies and Great Britain were forced to join forces together even though the colonists really were not up for it. Even though they were fighting together they still did not appreciate Great Britain because of the way they treated them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Drew said. He stated that the colonies were used by Great Britain and were not treated like a fellow country or ally like they should have been.
ReplyDeletePrior to the French-Indian war, the colonies had a bad relationship with Great Britain. British imposed outrageous taxes which cause much hatred toward them. Also the Navigational Laws essentially forced the colonies to hand over their raw materials to Britain. When the colonies paid for a manufactured item, they sold Britain the raw materials, and the British sold it back to the colonies manufactured with an inflated price and taxes. The colonies were completely taken advantage of. Once during the war there was a bittersweet feeling about the British. Some were completely not up to side with them at all in the war. When the British prolonged their stay the colonists began to become more tense. With the unification through the church spreading, they were allowed to stand up against the British as a result.
ReplyDeleteAs Drew stated, the colonies were taken advantage of and treated poorly. I also agree with Drew's points about taxing and how they remained separate while fighting amongst one another.
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