The French and Indian War (1754-1763), which was part of the larger Seven Years' War, had significant consequences for the territorial landscape of North America. As a result of the war:
- American colonial settlement could expand westward. After the war, Britain gained most of France’s territorial claims in North America, specifically east of the Mississippi River. This opening of land encouraged colonial expansion into new territories.
The other statements mostly do not align with the outcomes of the war:
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Spanish settlement could expand throughout Florida: Spain did retain control of Florida after the war, but expansion was limited compared to British territories.
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French settlement could expand east of the Mississippi River: After the war, France ceded most of its North American territories to Britain, limiting French influence primarily to a few islands in the Caribbean and some areas in Canada.
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Indigenous settlement could expand eastward: The war resulted in increased British control over the territories, which led to conflicts with Indigenous groups and restricted their ability to expand into areas settled by colonists.
In summary, the primary consequence of the French and Indian War was the establishment of British dominance in North America, allowing for the westward expansion of American colonial settlements.
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