What was the root cause of the French and Indian War?

The French and Indian War, which lasted from 1754 to 1763, was primarily driven by economic competition for land and resources between British and French settlers. The British sought to expand their territorial claims in North America, particularly in regions like the Ohio River Valley, which were rich in resources and strategic for trade. The French, who had established strong trading relationships with various Native American tribes, aimed to maintain their control over these lucrative areas.

As both colonial powers expanded their territories, tensions grew over land claims. This competition was exacerbated by the differing economic interests of the two nations—while the British were focused on agriculture and settlement, the French prioritized fur trading and alliances with Native tribes. The inevitable clashes between British and French forces, along with their respective Native American allies, led to open conflict, marking the beginning of the war.

The other options, while relevant to the broader context of colonial interactions, do not directly pinpoint the fundamental economic rivalry that motivated the war. Religious differences and taxation disputes, while parts of larger colonial tensions, were not the primary reasons for the outbreak of hostilities between the British and French in this specific conflict. Similarly, alliances with Native American tribes played a role in the war's dynamics but were a response to the