French and Indian War

What was the importance of the French and Indian War? How did it affect the colonists and British leadership?

As a result of the British victory in the French and Indian War, France was effectively expelled from the New World. They relinquished virtually all of their New World possessions including all of Canada. They did manage to retain a few small islands off the coast of Canada and in the Caribbean. They also agreed to stay out of India, which made Great Britain the supreme military power in that part of Asia. In addition, as compensation for Spain's loss of Florida to England, Spain was awarded the Louisiana territory. The entire face of North America had been dramatically changed. Following the war, England issued the Proclamation of 1763, which restricted settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains in an attempt to appease Indians who had developed positive relations with France. Westward-bound settlers, however, ignored the proclamation and moved into Indian lands.

What issues and concerns by the colonists lead to their declaring independence from Britain?

George III was determined to crush all rebellion, especially after the Boston Tea Party. Thomas Paine wrote against George III calling him a “royal brute”. George III then hired mercenaries to terrify any suspected rebels. Governments say they can be changed by voting and can be rebelled at if their power was unfair. However kings abused their power but then the colonists pushed hard to declare independence.

What were some of the main principles from which the Declaration of Independence was created? In other words, what new ideas and beliefs did the Declaration “state”?

People who signed it especially Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock. Why it was written because it was written to declare independence and to give rights to men such as liberty and freedom. Thomas Jefferson wanted to write grievances against the king and declare the reasons to the world and to the king. It was used to inform the British king of the abuses of him that justified American independence. It was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson but others who contributed were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston. 56 signers signed the Declaration including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.