FRANCE AND BRITAIN CLASH (THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR) CHAPTER 5, SECTION 1

British-French Rivalry  Britain and France had been competing for wealth for centuries.  As the American colonies began to grow so did hostility between French and English colonists.  Both the English and the French were interested in an area called the Ohio River Valley.

Native Americans Take Sides  Both the French and the British knew that Native Americans would make the difference in their struggle for North America.  The French had many Native American allies due to the fact that they wanted to trade in fur not take Native American land.  French traders’ relations were so good with the Native Americans that they often married Native American women and followed their customs.

The Iroquois Confederacy  The Iroquois Confederacy was the most powerful group of Native Americans in the East.  The Iroquois had managed to remain neutral by trading with both the French and British. By 1750, however, the confederacy reluctantly became Britain’s allies.

Iroquois Nation  The Confederacy was based out of New York and included five Native American nations: the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga and Oneida.

American Colonists Take Action  In 1753, Britain sent a 21 year old man by the name of George Washington into the Ohio River Valley to inform the French that they were trespassing on British territory.

Washington’s First Command  In 1754 George Washington arrived in the Ohio River Valley with a 150 man militia: a group of civilians trained to fight in case of an emergency.  Washington established a small fort in Ohio called Fort Necessity

Washington’s First Command  Fort Necessity

Washington’s First Command  The inexperienced forces of George Washington tried to attack a French scouting party. The French surrounded Washington’s forces and forced them to surrender.  Washington was later released and returned to Virginia.

The Legend of George Washington Begins…  During the battle against the French, Washington has several horses shot from beneath him. He also finds 4 bullet holes in his overcoat.  Despite his defeat, the colonists regarded Washington as an invincible bulletproof hero who struck the first blow against the French.

The French and Indian War  The French had a network of alliances with the Native Americans and soon began to take control of large portions of the Ohio River Valley.  During the early stages of the French and Indian War, colonists fought the French and the Native Americans with little help from Britain and the king.  In 1754, the king decided to send well trained troops to assist in the fighting.

The French and Indian War  Despite having well trained troops, Britain had problems fighting the French.  British soldiers wore bright red uniforms in wooded areas making them easy targets.  French troops along with Native American allies used guerilla warfare tactics.

British struggles  Because of these tactics used by the French and natives, the British struggled during the early parts of the war.  They lost several important battles.  Fort Niagara  Fort Duquesne  Fort William Henry

Another Loss for Washington  At Fort Duquesne, the British general Edward Braddock was killed.  Second in command, George Washington, took charge and ordered a retreat back to Virginia

The French and Indian War  Great Britain’s war effort improved when a man by the name of William Pitt took command of the British military.  Pitt organized the military and placed knowledgeable generals in charge of military assignments.

The French and Indian War  The year 1759 saw numerous victories by the British.  In 1759 the British took Quebec which was the capital of New France (in Canada).

Treaty of Paris 1763  In 1763 the Treaty of Paris was signed and brought an end to the French and Indian War.  The Treaty of Paris also marked the end of France as a power in North America.

Trouble on the Frontier  The British victory in the French and Indian War was a drastic blow to Native Americans.  The French had traded heavily with the Native Americans. Britain refused to pay Native Americans for the use of their land.

Trouble on the Frontier  Indian leaders such as Pontiac tried to bring Native Americans together in order to fight the British.  Pontiac’s plan did not work and in 1766 he was forced to sign a peace treaty with Britain.