Final answer:
Thomas Hutchinson, as Governor of Massachusetts, implemented British policies and imposed taxes that increased tensions with the colonists, contributing to the path toward the Revolutionary War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Hutchinson did not directly cause the war to be postponed; rather, his actions contributed to the increasing tensions leading to the American Revolution. As Governor of Massachusetts, Hutchinson was seen as a symbol of British authority and the oppressive policies that came with it, particularly around the issues of taxation without representation and maintaining British control over the colonies. The measures he supported, including enforcement of tax collections that paid British officials, alienated the colonists and weakened the influence of local assemblies. Hutchinson's stance bolstered the resolve of colonists who sought more autonomy from British rule, pushing them towards the path of resistance and ultimately war.
It was the overall British policies—including taxation, restriction of trade, and ignoring colonial grievances—that escalated tensions and led to the Revolutionary War. Hutchinson's rigid implementation of British policies and lack of sympathy for the colonial perspective made conciliation more difficult; however, he did not single-handedly postpone the war.