How did the french and indian war play a role in causing the american revolution? the french and indian war had no effect on the american revolution. it led to disputes and conflict between the american colonists and the british crown over the war's expense and british policies. the british government adopted a variety of policies to punish the american colonies for siding with the french and the indians during the conflict. the fighting between the french settlers and the indians created an opportunity for the american colonists to seize french settlements on the frontier.