The main consequence of the French and Indian War was the significant territorial gains made by Great Britain in North America. The war, fought between 1754 and 1763, resulted in Britain acquiring Canada and Florida, while France ceded Louisiana to Spain. However, the war also escalated British debt, leading to increased taxation in the American colonies, which fueled resentment and ultimately contributed to the American Revolution. The war redefined colonial relationships and set the stage for future conflicts over governance and autonomy, altering the landscape of British colonial policy in North America significantly.