The Albany Plan of Union, proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, aimed to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies to better coordinate their response to threats, particularly from French forces and Native Americans during the French and Indian War. Although it was ultimately rejected, it had significant implications for the future relationship between the colonies and Britain.
One of the key impacts of the Albany Plan was that it helped to foster a sense of unity among the colonies and made them begin to think of themselves as separate from Britain. This initial sense of colonial identity laid the groundwork for later movements towards independence. The plan highlighted the need for cooperation among the colonies and demonstrated that there were shared interests that could unite them against common challenges.
Thus, from the options provided, the most accurate conclusion is that the Albany Plan of Union caused the American colonists to begin thinking of the colonies as separate from Britain.