They were aware of the growing unease between the colonists and the Native Americans, especially due to Pontiac's War. The rebellion caused great loss of life, time and money to the British government. To prevent any further conflict, the British issued the Proclamation of 1763. The proclamation stated that no settler could cross or settle west of the Appalachian Mountains, the territory inhabited by many Native Americans. In theory the idea was simple and would have worked, but complications prevented it from being realized. The proclamation angered the American colonists. They already functioned almost independently of England and were disturbed by the new law. Many of them felt that they had not been adequately involved in its production. The settlers had grand plans to move westward, and the new proclamation prohibited them from doing so. After their victory in the French and Indian War, they did not feel that they should be prevented from moving into the territory they had fought for. It added to the conflict and hostility between the early Americans and their British authorities. Subsequent acts then added to the already existing conflict and led to the beginning of the American Revolution. While Pontiac's War did not directly cause this, it started the process of forcing the law into effect