The French & Indian War

Why is the title French & Indian War misleading?

WHO was involved in the French and Indian war? France (protecting their colony New France)and their Native American Allies VERSUS Britain (protecting their American colony), American colonists, and Native American ally (Iroquios) While both France and Britain sought to expand their colonial empires in the New World, they had opposite views about the scope of their colonies. While the English colonial system called for bringing settlers from the mother country to the New World to develop large cities such as Boston and Philadelphia, the French relied more on small settlements of only a few hundred or few thousand people, with their settlers mainly mixing with the Indians as far as trading and trapping. The French settlers also frequently intermarried with Indians, while British settlers rarely did so. They saw Indians as being generally inferior. Because of salutary neglect, the British colonies had grown independent of each other, and it was far more difficult for them to act in a united group. New France, however, was under one single government, and it could act more quickly and decisively. The British colonies also tended to be more close knit, and did not allow for the same amount of religious toleration that the French colonies did.

North America in 1750

Differences between French and British colonies “New France” was bigger than British Colonies, and less populated British wanted settlers from England. French wanted to convert Indians French wanted to take new land for economy French developed stronger alliances with Indians than British While both France and Britain sought to expand their colonial empires in the New World, they had opposite views about the scope of their colonies. While the English colonial system called for bringing settlers from the mother country to the New World to develop large cities such as Boston and Philadelphia, the French relied more on small settlements of only a few hundred or few thousand people, with their settlers mainly mixing with the Indians as far as trading and trapping. The French settlers also frequently intermarried with Indians, while British settlers rarely did so. They saw Indians as being generally inferior. Because of salutary neglect, the British colonies had grown independent of each other, and it was far more difficult for them to act in a united group. New France, however, was under one single government, and it could act more quickly and decisively. The British colonies also tended to be more close knit, and did not allow for the same amount of religious toleration that the French colonies did.

WHAT was the problem? Disputed land claims in the Ohio River Valley in 1754 brought two of the greatest world powers to a conflict that spread in both the New World and in Europe. The French and Indian War engulfed not only the New World, but the old as well, as the conflict became known as the Seven Years’ War in Europe sought to determine who would be the reigning superpower in the World. In the New World, the fighting started with disputed land claims in Western Pennsylvania. In 1754, the French constructed Fort Duquesne at the convergence of the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers. This land had been also deeded to several wealthy planters in the Ohio Territory by the colonial governor of Virginia, and the British sought to demand the French leave the area.

Duquesne “Du–kane” was claimed by the French and the British Both France and Britain wanted land claim over Ohio River Valley British sent 21yr old George Washington to deal with conflict.

Have you even seen this picture before. What do you think it means Have you even seen this picture before? What do you think it means? Who made it?

On May 9, 1754, the slogan “Join, or Die”, considered the first American political cartoon. It was printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette! The cartoon was believed to be created by Benjamin Franklin as a result of increasing French pressure along the western frontier of the colonies.

Albany Plan of Union While Washington was busy fighting, Benjamin Franklin suggested the colonies band together for defense. The Albany Plan of Union was the first formal written proposal to unite the colonies. The colonial legislatures did not pass it!

The British victory caused the French to surrender Benjamin West painted this portrait of General James Wolfe, mortally wounded at Quebec, surrounded by British officers and Indian allies. Both Wolfe, and French General Marquis de Montcalm, were killed in the battle, which resulted in a British victory and French surrender in the French and Indian War. Benjamin West painted this portrait of the death of Wolfe

Ended the French and Indian War France went to Canada Treaty of Paris 1763 Ended the French and Indian War France went to Canada Spain gets Louisiana and New Orleans from the French

Impact of the war France lost most their land. The size of British land doubled in North America The British went into HUGE debt to pay expenses for war. The French keep “hard feelings” and later side with the colonists in the American Revolution. British have trouble managing a large territory. Britain becomes the dominant world power!