Sunday Fun

Last week's answer: The French and Indian War.

How did a war that happened in 1754 lead to our Revolutionary War in 1775?

Money.

When the French and Indian War ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, King George in England was hugely in debt. Not only had this war been fought on North American soil, it had been fought in Europe -- where it war known as the Seven Years War. King George had spent tons of money--and without much result, except for gaining Canada from the French--but that was so far away from England, and was so sparsely settled.

So, King George and the British Parliament felt they had defended the colonists, with success, from the threat of the the French. They also felt that the American colonists hadn't contributed very much, either militarily or financially. And the people of England were on the verge of riot because of their high taxes.

So, the answer? Tax the colonies.

And a few other unpopular changes. The American colonists couldn't move westward--it was way too expensive to fight the American native Indians. Put more British soldiers on American soil--those Americans couldn't fight very well (or at least England thought). Tax sugar, cloth, wine, certains foods and molasses were taxed. Exports from the colonies were taxed. America's currency system of paper money was abolished--only 'hard' currency could be used. And the Stamp Act taxed legal documents and newspapers. On top of all this, the tax collectors were installed in America (they had previously done their work from London) and the British Navy was sent to make all these taxes got collected properly.

The result of all this? Devastation of America's economy.

So that's how the French and Indian War could be said to result in the Revolutionary War.

Next question: What does the above picture depict? Hint: It's in Boston!