The French and Indian War was important because it determined control of vast colonial territory in North America between France and Great Britain. The war's outcome led to Britain gaining significant land holdings by ceding Canada and territory east of the Mississippi River, effectively ending French political and military power in mainland North America. This shift set the stage for future American independence by exposing and exacerbating cultural and political differences between the British colonies and Great Britain, as well as creating significant debt and political changes in both Britain and the colonies. The war also led to Native American displacement and changes in territorial control that impacted subsequent history of the continent.