The French and Indian War Battle at Fort Necessity

Essential Questions What were the causes behind the French and Indian War? How did the British win the war? How did the war weaken colonists' loyalty to Britain? Ch. 4-1, P.104

Key Terms French and Indian War Albany Plan of Union Militia Prime Minister Siege Treaty of Paris

Who fought the war? Contrary to how It sounds, this war was NOT fought between the French and Indians – they were on the SAME SIDE. The French recruited the Native Americans To fight against The colonists and the British Army

Why? The French and the English hated each other. The two countries had basically been at war since 1066. Both had settled colonies in North America, but in different ways: French Indian Policy English Indian Policy

Meanwhile... In Albany, New York, in 1754, delegates from the colonies met to discuss a treaty with the Iroquois League, a powerful Native American Confederacy. Benjamin Franklin, then 49 years old, proposed the colonies join together for their common protection. This plan, the Albany Plan of Union, would be shot down, but the idea would be revived 20 years later.

Early French Victories Despite being vastly outnumbered, the French and their Native American allies won several key victories. The British soldiers in the colonies at this time were unprepared for war, and lost badly.

The Tide Turns However, in 1757, William Pitt became Britain's Prime Minister. Pitt declared war on the French and raised taxes to train and deploy a proper army. The new recruits began to beat the French and their Indian allies. Seeing this, the Iroquois joined the English side.

Victory! The French were defeated in 1759 as the British began to invade Canada. The French capital, Quebec, was surrounded by the English and held under siege for three months. French forces were defeated in a 15-minute battle at the Plains of Abraham in September.

Treaty of Paris In 1763, France, Spain, and England signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the war. The terms: -France gives all of her territories in North America east of the Mississippi to England. Spain, France's ally, gives Florida to England. New Orleans stays French.

However... Colonists had been treated badly by the British soldiers. In reality, the colonists had largely fought better than the British. Also, new taxes were passed to pay for the training and deployment of troops to the colonies. As a result, many colonists would begin to question their loyalty to Britain.