The Proclamation of 1763 | The Shot Heard ’Round the World

Great Britain was deeply in debt after the French and Indian War and did not want conflict with the Native Americans who lived in its newly won territory. To prevent conflict, King George III issued a proclamation in 1763 that forbade English colonists from settling in Native American lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. To increase revenue, Great Britian put in place the Sugar Act, forcing the colonists to pay taxes on imports of molasses and sugar from non-British sources.

As students watch the video, they consider how British war debts impacted Britain’s relationship with American colonies.