Final answer:
The French and Indian War led to increased British debt, demanding more from the colonies and inciting resentment. It also fostered colonial autonomy and set the political groundwork that encouraged revolution. Native American tribes' participation and the British response to frontier conflicts further complicated colonial British relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The French and Indian War significantly contributed to the American Revolution by altering the balance of power in North America and by changing the relationship between Britain and its North American colonies. By the end of the war, the British had incurred a massive debt and looked to the colonies to help cover the costs, leading to increased taxation and subsequent colonial resentment.
The elimination of French presence in North America after the war lessened the need for British military protection among the colonies, fostering a sense of autonomy. This, along with the implementation of policies that colonists felt infringed upon their rights, such as the responses to Pontiac's Rebellion, sowed the seeds of discontent that would eventually lead to revolution.
Beyond financial burdens, the war influenced colonial unity and highlighted the colonies’ desire for a stronger autonomy. Despite the rejection of the Albany Plan of Union, a proposal for colonial federation for mutual defense, the war underscored the disparities in colonial governance and the colonies' collective self-interest. As British policies in response to the war’s aftermath became increasingly oppressive, the seeds for revolutionary thought were planted.
Additionally, Native American relations during this period added complexity to colonial politics. As native tribes debated foreign policy and chose sides in colonial disputes, their actions during the war and rebellions influenced colonial perceptions and policies toward frontier defense.