The Road to Revolution Part 2 The French and Indian War

The Albany Congress While Washington was defending Fort Necessity, DELEGATES from 7 colonies were meeting in Albany for two reasons: 1. To persuade the Iroquois to help them against the French. 2. To plan a united defense for the colonies.

Albany Plan of Union Benjamin Franklin, one of Pennsylvania’s delegates to the meeting proposed this plan. It called for a Grand Council with representatives from all of the colonies. The council would make laws, raise taxes, and set up the defense of the colonies. However, when the plan was sent back to the colonial legislatures, not one colony approved it. They did not want to give up their power to one big government.

Benjamin Franklin One of our nation’s founding fathers.

Advantages and Disadvantages New France only had 1 government to make decisions, while the English had 13 separate governments. Both sides had Native American allies, but the French had more. The population of the English colonies was about 15 times greater than New France.

The English colonies were clustered along the Atlantic coast, while the French settlements were spread out over a much greater territory. The English territory was easier to defend. The British had the most powerful navy in the world. They could quickly move troops and supplies to the necessary areas.

Bulldog Braddock General Edward Braddock led British troops against Fort Duquesne. He was called “Bulldog” behind his back, because he was stubborn. He was used to fighting in open fields, and didn’t know how to fight in the wilderness of North America. They moved slowly through the woods with their equipment. Indian scouts warned of potential trouble, but Braddock ignored them.

Disaster for the British Near Fort Duquesne, the French and their Indian allies launched a surprise attack. Sharpshooters hid in the woods, and easily picked off the British in their bright red uniforms. Braddock had five horses shot out from under him before he was killed. Washington later found 4 bullet holes in his own coat. Almost half of the British were killed or wounded, and the survivors returned to Virginia with news of the defeat.

General Edward “Bulldog” Braddock was killed in what is now western Pennsylvania.

For the next two years, things went terribly for the British in the war. British attempts to capture French forts failed, while the French were successful in capturing some key forts of the British. To English colonists, the situation looked very grim. Fortunately for them, a strong leader was about to take charge.

William Pitt – A Bold Leader In 1757, William Pitt became head of the British government. He said, “I believe I can save this nation and that no one else can”. He decided that in order to win the war with France, Britain should concentrate on North America first, and then they would focus on victory elsewhere.

William Pitt Does his last name ring a bell with any of you?

To encourage support from the colonists, he promised large payments for military services and supplies. Britain’s best generals were sent to North America. Under Pitt’s leadership the tide of battle turned to Britain’s favor. They captured Louisbourg, the most important French fort.

Louisbourg helped guard the entrance to the St. Lawrence River.

The British allies, the Iroquois, were able to convince some Indians to abandon the French. The British were able to take Fort Duquesne, and they renamed it Fort Pitt. Again, it was near the spot where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet. The city of Pittsburgh grew at this site.

The Fall of New France The British start to have more success, and capture even more forts. They now head to Quebec, the capital of New France. Quebec sits on a cliff above the St. Lawrence River, and is well defended.

Quebec City as it looks today.

The British in boats, land at the foot of the cliffs, and climb to the top. On a grassy field called the Plains of Abraham, a fierce battle takes place. Both British and French generals are killed.

James Wolfe Louis-Joseph de Montcalm

Battle of Quebec – September 13, 1759

Before dying, a British soldier told General James Wolfe the news that the British had won. The general reportedly whispered, “Now, God be praised, I will die in peace.” After losing Quebec, the French were in deep trouble. The British then took Montreal. The war ended in North America, but continued on in Europe for three more years.

The Treaty of Paris France had to give up its lands in North America. Britain gained all of Canada, and all French claims east of the Mississippi River. France got to keep some sugar-growing islands in the Caribbean Sea. Spain which had sided with France, gave up Florida, but got French lands west of the Mississippi.

Although the French government was kicked out of North America, the settlers were allowed to remain.

North America as it looked in 1763.