Final answer:
The French and Indian War fundamentally changed the relationship between Britain and its American colonies by eliminating France as a North American colonial power, leading to increased British taxes and restrictive policies to cover war debts, which fostered significant colonial discontent and a desire for greater autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
To what extent did the French and Indian War alter the relationship between Britain and its American colonies in the period 1740-1766? The French and Indian War, which lasted from 1754 to 1763, was a pivotal event that significantly reshaped the political and economic dynamics between Britain and its colonies in America.
The war resulted in the elimination of the French presence in North America, which drastically changed the balance of power on the continent. The immediate consequence of this was Pontiac's War, illustrating that without a European adversary, British colonists turned their focus to issues like the changing policies of British colonial governance.