Final answer:
American Indians strategically allied with the French or British based on trade relationships and military alliances during the French and Indian War. Following the war and the Treaty of Paris, relations with the British soured for tribes previously allied with the French. Native American participation in colonial wars evidenced their influence and strategic importance in these conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American Indians played a strategic role in the British-French rivalry, particularly during the French and Indian War, known in Europe as the Seven Years' War. During this conflict, many tribes such as the Huron, aligned with French colonists, a long-term trading partner. This provided the French with additional military support and knowledge of the land which was critical in battles. In contrast, the Iroquois tribes sided with the British due to their enmity with the Huron and other French allies.
After the 1763 Treaty of Paris, which ended the war, the dynamics on the frontier changed dramatically. With the French defeat, their Native American allies lost not only a valued trading partner but also bargaining power with the British. This led to the worsening of relationships as the British were more stringent in their dealings with the native tribes, particularly in terms of military support and supply of trade goods. Tensions culminated in uprisings such as Pontiac's Rebellion, highlighting the racial tensions and the fraught relations between settlers and native peoples.
Many Native American groups chose to support the British during the American Revolution because they feared an American victory would lead to greater loss of their lands. In earlier colonial conflicts, including Queen Anne's and King William's Wars, Native American tribes had already set a precedent for participating in European conflicts, often considering the implications for their own sovereignty and trade relationships.