Lesson 2 French and Indian War

I. European Rivals in North America A. By the mid 1700’s, the main powers in Europe competed for trade and land even in the colonies . (France, Spain, England and the Netherlands) B. France claimed a vast area of land that bordered the 13 colonies. 1. By 1740’s, British trappers were crossing the Appalachian Mts (Ohio Valley) to take over the fur trade from the French. 2. France was determined to stop the westward expansion 3. Native Americans had hunted and farmed in the Ohio Valley for years and did not want to give land up to either side 4. Indian groups chose sides in an attempt to protect their way of life a. French: Algonquins, Huron b. British: Iroquois

II. War Starts A. 3 times between 1689-1748 France and Great Britain fought for power in North America and Europe. B. 1754 - the fourth conflict broke out.-called the French and Indian War 1. put English settlers in a war and against France and its Native American allies 2. battle over the Ohio River Valley C. George Washington commissioned to build a fort in the Ohio Valley for Great Britain.

D. George Washington 1. Grew up on plantation in Virginia, from a wealthy family 2. Gifted in Math and began working as a surveyor at the age of 15 3. 1754- Washington was 22. He and 150 men were sent to build a fort in the Ohio country but found out that the French had already built on the same spot. (Fort Duquesne)(Pittsburgh) 4. Washington was determined to carry out his mission. He and his men attacked the French and scattered them. They were surrounded by 700 French soldiers who forced them to surrender but later released Washington. (Fort Neccesity)

III. Albany Congress Delegates from 7 colonies came together to- 1. Gain an allegiance with the Iroquois 2. Wanted all colonies to work together to defeat the French. 3. Wanted to form one government B. Ben Franklin of Pennsylvania proposed Albany Plan of Union 1. Albany Plan of Union- attempt to create one general government for 13 colonies. (Grand Council make laws, raise taxes and set up defense) 2. Not approved. (None of the colonies wanted to give up powers to a general council)

IV. Tide turns After many British Defeats and setbacks William Pitt took over the British Government. 1. French and Indian allies would hide and shoot at the British who moved noisily through the forest (bright red uniform- easy target) 2. French captured two major forts making the British Indian allies very concerned B. Encouraged the colonists to support war by promising large military payment and supplies. C. 1758- General Jeffery Amherst captures Louisburg (most important French fort) D. Took control of Fort Niagara, Crown Point, and Fort Ticonderoga

V. Battle for Quebec 1759- British had great success, taking control of several more French forts. Gen. James Wolfe(Br) was sent to take control of Quebec which was the capital of New France. Quebec sat on the top of a steep cliff high above the St. Lawrence river. A very capable French general and army prepared to fight if attacked. Wolfe devised a plan. British troops would row to the foot of the cliff and climb the cliff overnight. The French were not prepared for that. The next morning, French woke to a surprise. 4000 British troops were set up and ready for battle on the open plain outside of Quebec. Quebec surrendered to the British on Sept. 18, 1759. Both Generals died in battle

VI. Treaty of Paris After the fall of Quebec the war ended. Great Britain and France signed the Treaty of Paris to bring the war to an end Britain gained Canada and all French lands east of MS river except New Orleans Spain had allied with the French, they lost Florida to Britain French lost all of the land west of the Mississippi River to Spain. Spain gained control of the port of New Orleans