Final answer:
The Proclamation of 1763 was an edict from the British Crown to prevent settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to preserve peace with Native Americans and reduce defense costs after the Seven Years' War. It was viewed as tyrannical by the colonists, leading to increased tensions and contributing to the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was a decree issued by the British Crown in the aftermath of the Seven Years' War. The main purpose of the proclamation was to stabilize relations between the British settlers and Native American tribes following the war. It was established in large part "to pacify the Indians" and aimed to prevent colonists from settling west of a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains, which is known as the proclamation line. This was meant to be a temporary measure to give Britain time to develop a more permanent policy.
King George III issued the proclamation primarily to avoid further conflict with Native Americans and the French, as well as to reduce the costs associated with defending new and extended territories. By declaring the Appalachian Mountains the western settlement boundary for the thirteen North American colonies, Britain intended to save on expenses and avoid further warfare, at a time when the nation was already burdened with debt from the Seven Years' War. However, many colonists, including some who had received land grants west of the Appalachians, saw this as an act of tyranny. In practice, numerous settlers ignored the law and continued to move westward, which contributed to growing tensions that eventually led to the American Revolution.