Chapter 2-Section 1 The French and Indian War

English/French Dominance The French and the English had been fighting for dominance in Europe since the 1600’s. The French and the English had been fighting for dominance in Europe since the 1600’s. Most of the fighting took place in Europe. Most of the fighting took place in Europe. But, in 1754, the fighting came to America. But, in 1754, the fighting came to America.

The French & The Ohio Valley The French were very interested in the Ohio Valley The French were very interested in the Ohio Valley They could travel from New France to Louisiana using the Mississippi River They could travel from New France to Louisiana using the Mississippi River The French traded with the Indians along this route and gained valuable furs. The French traded with the Indians along this route and gained valuable furs.

The English and the Ohio Valley The English also liked the Ohio Valley for its fur trade. The English also liked the Ohio Valley for its fur trade. English land speculators wanted to buy up the valuable land and resell it to make a profit. English land speculators wanted to buy up the valuable land and resell it to make a profit.

The Forts To block the English claims, the French built a chain of forts from Lake Ontario to the Ohio Valley. To block the English claims, the French built a chain of forts from Lake Ontario to the Ohio Valley. The Governor of Virginia than built his own fort in Pennslyvania. The Governor of Virginia than built his own fort in Pennslyvania. The French seized the fort before it was finished and built their own fort and called it Fort Dusquesne. The French seized the fort before it was finished and built their own fort and called it Fort Dusquesne. Virginia’s governor than asked George Washington, leader of the Virginia militia to step in and expel the French. Virginia’s governor than asked George Washington, leader of the Virginia militia to step in and expel the French.

Washington Washington’s troops marched toward the Ohio River in Washington’s troops marched toward the Ohio River in They encountered a small French force near Great Meadows. They encountered a small French force near Great Meadows. Washington retreated and built a stockade named Fort Necessity. Washington retreated and built a stockade named Fort Necessity. A little over a month later, a large French force arrived and forced Washington to surrender. A little over a month later, a large French force arrived and forced Washington to surrender. Washington became a hero for his courageous attempt to resist the French. Washington became a hero for his courageous attempt to resist the French.

The British Triumph

General Edward Braddock In Braddock arrived in Virginia with 1,400 British troops and 450 local militia led by Lt. George Washington. They left to attack Fort Duquesne. French and Indian forces attacked Braddock and Washington seven miles from the fort. General Braddock was killed.

Washington Rallies the Troops The troops panicked and Washington saved them from disaster. Washington had four holes in his hat and coat, but was able to organize a retreat.

French and Indian War leads to the Seven Years War The Delaware people began to attack settlements in western Pennslyvania. The Delaware people began to attack settlements in western Pennslyvania. The War raged on for the next two years. The War raged on for the next two years. In 1756, the fighting between Britain and France spread to Europe, where it was called the Seven Years War. In 1756, the fighting between Britain and France spread to Europe, where it was called the Seven Years War.

The Turning Point The British Fleet soon cut off the flow of supplies and troops to the colonies from France. The British Fleet soon cut off the flow of supplies and troops to the colonies from France. The Iroquois persuaded the Delaware to end their attacks. The Iroquois persuaded the Delaware to end their attacks. The French were now badly outnumbered. The French were now badly outnumbered.

French Defeat In 1759, A British fleet commanded by General James Wolfe sailed to Quebec the capital of New France. In 1759, A British fleet commanded by General James Wolfe sailed to Quebec the capital of New France. He conducted a sneak attack on General Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham. He conducted a sneak attack on General Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham. Montcalm was defeated and the British took over Quebec. Montcalm was defeated and the British took over Quebec.

The Treaty of Paris The treaty ended the war in The treaty ended the war in The treaty eliminated French power in North America. The treaty eliminated French power in North America. All French territory east of the Mississippi River, except for New Orleans became part of the British Empire. All French territory east of the Mississippi River, except for New Orleans became part of the British Empire. Spain gave Florida to the British. Spain gave Florida to the British. The French gave Spain, New Orleans and all French Territory west of the Mississippi River. The French gave Spain, New Orleans and all French Territory west of the Mississippi River.