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Why did British colonists move west across the Appalachian Mountains before the war?

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Painting of Edward Braddock and British troops in uniform advancing through dense forest, facing Native American and French fighters during the French and Indian War near Fort Duquesne. — French and Indian War British commander Edward Braddock and his troops preparing to march on the French-held Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) during the French and Indian War.

British colonists moved westward across the Appalachian Mountains primarily in search of inexpensive, arable land to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. As the colonial population grew rapidly—rising from approximately 250,000 in 1700 to nearly 1,700,000 by 1760—settlers pushed inland from the Atlantic tidewater areas into the Piedmont and beyond.12

This expansion was driven by several factors:

Land Availability: The quest for affordable land attracted large numbers of immigrants, including Germans and Scotch-Irish, who sought opportunities not available in the more crowded coastal regions.1
Economic Interests: Organizations such as the Ohio Company were established to promote trade with Native Americans and secure British control over the Ohio River valley.23
Territorial Claims: British colonists believed the region was part of the British Empire based on early royal charters, leading them to settle in areas also claimed by the French.2

This westward movement inevitably led to tragic conflicts with Indigenous peoples over land control, as European settlers failed to respect their claims or cultural autonomy.1