Final answer:
The British authorities were wary of declaring war against the French in North America in 1754 due to Native American support for the French, colonial protests, doubts about colonial cooperation, and concerns over the colonies' financial resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British authorities were wary of declaring war against the French in North America in 1754 for multiple reasons:
- The British knew that many Native American tribes had sided with the French during the war, receiving guns and support from them.
- The colonists protested against the deployment of British troops in North America, which created opposition and unrest among the colonies.
- The British authorities believed that the American colonists were incapable of cooperating in their own defense, which undermined their confidence in relying on the colonists for support.
- Finally, the king insisted that the colonies were not generating enough income to support a war, which raised concerns about the financial feasibility of engaging in a conflict.
Considering these factors, the British authorities were cautious about declaring war against the French in North America in 1754.