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only fear of native populations, rival French and Spanish colonies gave the colonies any real need of England. After the British triumphed over the Spanish and French in a series of European and American wars, England became sole master in Europe. Unfortunately, this was the point of no return for American-British relations. The colonies no longer feared invasion and therefore felt no more need for British troops. England, however, retained an army in the colonies that they expected Americans to pay for and quarter. British troops often caused trouble with colonial society by carousing and taking jobs from Americans. In addition, a century of wars had nearly bankrupted the British treasury. Because George III felt that the wars had been fought for the benefit of the colonies, the king also felt that the colonies should have to foot the bill. Thus came the ever popular tax acts that culminated in the Revolution.

While the cascade of events from the end of the French and Indian War ended in the independence of the United States, these events really only created an awareness in Americans in the need for a dissolution of their union with England. The actual independence of the American colonies had really happened long before in the creation of a unique American system of government, culture and economic system.

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