After a long seven years of war, the French and Indian War was coming to a conclusion. The Treaty of Paris was formed on February 1763. The Treaty of Paris distinguished the end of the war between the French and British. The Treaty also granted the British a large amount of land in North America. Following the Treaty of Paris, the Royal Proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George III. The Proclamation established four new colonies in addition to the original thirteen colonies. These four new colonies included Quebec, East Florida, West Florida, and the island of Grenada. In addition to defining four new colonies, this royal decree prohibited the American colonists from establishing and settling in land that was west of the Appalachian Mountains. Though the it was meant for good purposes, the Proclamation of 1763 caused negative reactions from the British, French and Native Americans, and American colonies, which factored into the contribution of the American Revolution. How did these negative reactions of Proclamation of 1763 contribute to American Colonies opposing the British?
To begin, the Proclamation of 1763 prohibited the expansion of American colonies beyond the Appalachian mountains in order to focus on settlements on the areas recently conquered near the eastern coastlines. The British had difficulties administering settlers east of the Appalachian Mountains. With this restriction on American colonists, the British and Colonial government would have a less difficult time executing and regulating taxes on settlers in order to come out of the war time debt (5). This would allow the British to keep American colonies under control and on watch. Also with the Treaty of Paris, it was not guaranteed that the remaining French settlers and Native Americans in these newly claimed territories would give up their land and trade routes (2). The British feared the American colonists expanding to further territories and causing a greater tension between the Native Americans. Hence, the Proclamation of 1763 was issued in order to avoid warfare with Native Americans, simply due to the further expenses and lack of sufficient British troops within the newly proclaimed land (4). However, conflicts between the American colonists and Native Americans were not prevented.
To begin, the Proclamation of 1763 prohibited the expansion of American colonies beyond the Appalachian mountains in order to focus on settlements on the areas recently conquered near the eastern coastlines. The British had difficulties administering settlers east of the Appalachian Mountains. With this restriction on American colonists, the British and Colonial government would have a less difficult time executing and regulating taxes on settlers in order to come out of the war time debt (5). This would allow the British to keep American colonies under control and on watch. Also with the Treaty of Paris, it was not guaranteed that the remaining French settlers and Native Americans in these newly claimed territories would give up their land and trade routes (2). The British feared the American colonists expanding to further territories and causing a greater tension between the Native Americans. Hence, the Proclamation of 1763 was issued in order to avoid warfare with Native Americans, simply due to the further expenses and lack of sufficient British troops within the newly proclaimed land (4). However, conflicts between the American colonists and Native Americans were not prevented.
Although the French and Indian War ended, conflicts still occurred between remaining Native American tribes and the American colonists. With American conquests on these new lands, Native Americans began populating the near the Great Lakes (5). Some Native Americans continued to fight for their territory; an occurrence was Pontiac's Rebellion. This rebellion was led by a Native chief, Pontiac. Pontiac's vision was to return to traditional ways and reject contact with British troops; these visions earned recruitment of many sympathetic tribes (3). Pontiac led many attacks against British troops. Shockingly, his attacks successfully managed to cause eight British forts to fall. However, the many tribes recruited began to decrease, and Pontiac's Rebellion concluded with a peace treaty (3). With one more conflicted clear from the obstacle of expansion, American colonists were free to move westward.
As the American colonists claimed victory for the French and Indian War, new territory was gained and added to the colonies. With new land to be established, American colonists had sights of expanding beyond western boundaries. However, the Proclamation of 1763 was issued, which prohibited establishment and settlement of American colonists beyond the western territory of the Appalachian mountains. American colonists risked their lives during the French and Indian War for these vast lands. These colonists felt it was their indirect right to claim these lands after the victory over the French and Indian War (1). On the contrary, to American colonists, the Proclamation of 1763 symbolized the act of confiscating American colonist's reward of new land after shedding their own blood for the Seven Year War. American colonists did not appreciate the restrictions on travels and limitations of trade (5). In return to the Proclamation, American colonists began heading westward into prohibited areas. Consequently, the Proclamation of 1763 was modified in 1764, adding the exception of moving into these prohibited territories for the reason of trade. However, the Proclamation could not be enforced due to the lack of British troops deployed, so there was no stopping the American colonists (4). The implementation of the Proclamation of 1763 occurred around similar periods of other restrictive acts of Britain, causing suspicion among the American colonists.
Conclusively, the Proclamation of 1763 was issued in order to avoid further expenses on warfare as well as focus on settlements near eastern coastlines for taxation in order to recuperate for the war time debt. The Proclamation prohibited American colonists to establish and settle in land west of the Appalachian Mountains. Although it was one of the acts to control American colonies and recuperate after war, the Proclamation caused tension and suspicion between the British and American Colonists along with other acts, leading to the American Revolution.
As the American colonists claimed victory for the French and Indian War, new territory was gained and added to the colonies. With new land to be established, American colonists had sights of expanding beyond western boundaries. However, the Proclamation of 1763 was issued, which prohibited establishment and settlement of American colonists beyond the western territory of the Appalachian mountains. American colonists risked their lives during the French and Indian War for these vast lands. These colonists felt it was their indirect right to claim these lands after the victory over the French and Indian War (1). On the contrary, to American colonists, the Proclamation of 1763 symbolized the act of confiscating American colonist's reward of new land after shedding their own blood for the Seven Year War. American colonists did not appreciate the restrictions on travels and limitations of trade (5). In return to the Proclamation, American colonists began heading westward into prohibited areas. Consequently, the Proclamation of 1763 was modified in 1764, adding the exception of moving into these prohibited territories for the reason of trade. However, the Proclamation could not be enforced due to the lack of British troops deployed, so there was no stopping the American colonists (4). The implementation of the Proclamation of 1763 occurred around similar periods of other restrictive acts of Britain, causing suspicion among the American colonists.
Conclusively, the Proclamation of 1763 was issued in order to avoid further expenses on warfare as well as focus on settlements near eastern coastlines for taxation in order to recuperate for the war time debt. The Proclamation prohibited American colonists to establish and settle in land west of the Appalachian Mountains. Although it was one of the acts to control American colonies and recuperate after war, the Proclamation caused tension and suspicion between the British and American Colonists along with other acts, leading to the American Revolution.