The French and Indian War

Starter – September 12 th  What other countries were colonizing North America during the 1700s? Do you think the colonization by imperial powers would result in war? Why?

Competing Claims  In the middle of the 18th century, France and England competed for land in North America.  The French held trapping and trade routes in the Ohio Valley.  The English colonies were encroaching on French territory as the population grew.  They also competed over trade issues with the Native Americans in the disputed region.

George Washington  Began in November 1753, when the young Virginian major George Washington and a number of men headed out into the Ohio region to demand that French troops withdraw from the territory.  The demand was rejected.  In 1754, Washington received authorization to build a fort near the present site of Pittsburgh.  He was unsuccessful because of the strong French presence in the area.  Washington's troops clashed with local French forces, a skirmish that ultimately resulted in Washington having to surrender the meager fort he had managed to build just one month later.

Fort Duquesne  In 1755, The British sent General Edward Braddock to oversee the British Colonial forces.  On his way to oust the French from Fort Duquesne he was surprised by the French and badly routed, losing his life in the process.

Britain Declares War on France  After years of skirmishes, war is finally declared.  Alliance with Prussia.  Prussia v France and its Allies in Europe.  Britain fought France in the Caribbean, India, and North America.  British suffer many losses in the early years of the war: Settlements are attacked; lose forts on Lake Ontario and Lake George.

William PittPitt The right man, at the right time, and in the right place can make all the difference.  Secretary of State  Prime Minister  Military Logistician  Excellent Judge of Military Commanders  Global Thinker

Peace Treaty of Paris  England Receives Canada  French Lands East of the Mississippi  Florida From Spain  Spain Receives Lands West of Mississippi and New Orleans  France allowed to keep Sugar Producing Islands in the Caribbean.

Peace Treaties Lead to War  Question: Who is especially unhappy about the French loss?  The Native Americans.  British Trappers and Settlers refuse to pay Native Americans for the use of the land.  Chief Pontiac puts together a Native American Alliance and strikes back at the British.  Pontiac fails to capture key terrain.  Pontiac ’ s War ends in 1765.

Cause of the American Revolution  Pitt decides to fund the war through the British Treasury and through loans. This relieves the American colonists from fronting the bill for the war.  However, after the war is over, Britain must settle its debts and pay for a standing army in America.  In order to do this they decide to have the colonists bear some of the burden for their own defense.

Cause of the American Revolution The Proclamation of 1763  Proclaimed that land west of the Appalachian Mountains temporarily off limits to settlements.  British Halt Westward Expansion to minimize costs in maintaining a military force to secure the Frontier.  Colonists upset. Especially those who had bought shares in companies or bought land in the newly captured territories.  However, this does create a fragile peace between the British and the Native Americans.