The French in North America The French and English were competing over land. Natives were threatened by colonial expansion. What were the main goals for England and France in North America?

The Iroquois This middle land is mostly owned by the Iroquois League, who remained neutral. Acting as a buffer between the two nations, they gained favors from both the French and English by promising not to join forces with the other side.

Tensions Rise More land, more problems In 1744 the Iroquois sold the rights to trade in Ohio to some Virginia land spectators. The spectators assumed that these rights came with the right to acquire land, and sold some to a couple of Virginia farmers. This upset the Ohio Valley Indians as well as the French. The government of Virginia then decided to send out a body of soldiers under Lieutenant Colonel George Washington to protect Virginia’s land claim. (22 years old at the time)

Albany Plan of Union In Albany, New York Benjamin Franklin and William Shirley came up with a plan to join the colonies together It would include a President chosen by the King and representatives elected by the people. The plan was to unite the colonies and allow them to coordinate defenses, levy taxes, and regulate Indian affairs as well as establish a Continental Army However, this plan was rejected because of the colonies distrust of one another.

The War “7 Years War” British colonists vs French colonists and Indians Iroquois remained neutral British were losing the war because money was running out and colonists didn’t pay their share Also, with the help of the Indians, the French won most of the battles early on in the war.

Following one defeat in battle, Washington gathered the remaining troops and retreated back to Fort Cumberland in western Maryland, arriving there on July 17, The next day, Washington wrote a letter to his family explaining that after the battle was over, he had taken off his jacket and had found four bullet holes through it, yet not a single bullet had touched him; several horses had been shot from under him, but he had not been harmed. He told them: By the all powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation. Washington openly acknowledged that God's hand was upon him, that God had protected him and kept him through.

England makes some changes Upset with the current outcome, King George II appointed new leaders to run the government. William Pitt became chief of war minister and reinvigorated the British army Prime Minister sent a “blank check” to win England started to win and the Iroquois joined their side. British never lost a battle since – eventually winning the war after a victory at the Battle of Quebec.

Treaty of Paris 1763 France lost Canada, Mississippi River, and New Orleans keeping only the West Indian sugar islands of the Caribbean. Spain (allied with the French) lost Florida but gained France’s land west of the Mississippi, including New Orleans. England gained all of North America east of the Mississippi.

Proclamation Line of 1763 In response to a revolt of Native Americans led by Pontiac, an Ottawa chief, King George III declared all lands west of the Appalachian Divide off-limits to colonial settlers. The edict forbade private citizens and colonial governments alike to buy land from or make any agreements with natives; the empire would conduct all official relations.