Final answer:
Most Native American tribes sided with the French during the French and Indian War due to strong trade alliances, intermarriage, and a shared economic interest in the fur trade. Post-war, these tribes faced a loss of trade and bargaining power with the British, leading to strained relations and uprisings like Pontiac's Rebellion. Significant regional alliances were also created, like the Wabanaki Confederacy's alignment with the French.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the French and Indian War, most Native American tribes sided with the French primarily because the French engaged in alliances through trade, intermarriage, and equitable relations compared to the British. The French colonizers, searching for wealth mainly in fur, utilized the knowledge and cooperation of the Native American tribes for effective fur trading. The French also married Native American women, resulting in a culturally rich, mixed society.
After the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Native Americans who had allied with the French faced the loss of a valuable trading partner and reduced bargaining power with the British. This shift negatively impacted their political and economic standings. The change in relations marked a substantial decline in the previously friendly interactions, leading to tensions that fueled further conflicts, such as Pontiac's Rebellion.
Notably, while many tribes aligned with the French, the Iroquois Confederacy notably sided with the British, reflecting longstanding regional and cultural divisions. Distinct alliances formed, like the Wabanaki Confederacy with the French, often based on these deep-seated regional differences and the intensification of conflict due to the European colonization and fur trade demands.