What decree prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains?

The Proclamation of 1763, which is the correct answer, was issued by the British government following the conclusion of the French and Indian War. This decree was intended to stabilize relations with Native Americans through the regulation of westward expansion by colonists. It specifically prohibited settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains, creating a boundary that colonists were not allowed to cross in order to avoid conflicts with Indigenous populations.

The Proclamation aimed to prevent further hostilities and to control the influx of settlers into those territories. By limiting colonial expansion, the British government sought to maintain peace and manage the economic interests tied to the fur trade and other resources in the west. It also reflected the British government's efforts to consolidate control over the colonies and assert authority amidst growing colonial agitation.

The other options are less accurate descriptions associated with this historical moment. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 is essentially another name for the Proclamation of 1763, which could also lead to some confusion in choice identification. The Appalachian Settlement Act and the Colonial Land Act do not correspond to any widely recognized legislative actions from this period. The critical focus is understanding how the Proclamation of 1763 laid the groundwork for future colonial dissent leading up to the American Revolution due to the restrictions it imposed