Before the Revolution After the Defeat of the French in 1763 -Americans lived fairly well, their quality of life was not far below that of the average British person -per capita wealth was 37.4 English pounds -but the wealth was not evenly distributed In the South -richest part of the colonies -over 90% of the slaves were in the South In the Middle Colonies -also did very well In New England -lagged behind -inability to produce large amounts of exports for a world market George III -became King in 1760 when he was 22 -not very bright -hated his father and his grandfather -erased the Whigs hold on English government Assigned his friend the Earl of Bute as his chief minister which outraged