17 th & 18 th Century Europe Rivalry between England & France –Leadership in Europe –Control of the seas –Possession of North America
Causes of the French-Anglo Rivalry in North America Territorial claims and fur trade competition English settlers pushing into fertile Ohio Valley French build chain of forts (1753) from Lake Erie to the Ohio River
The Great War for Empire: The Seven Years War Brit’s drew colonies into war –F–French & Indian War Things go poorly for the Brits William Pitt appointed Prime Minister Things get better for the Brits Brits WIN Lieutenant-Colonel George Washington of the Virginia Militia raises his hat to the British flag over Fort Duquesne on the Ohio River in November 1758.
British victory in North America is the first step toward British loss of North America Settlers found FREEDOM in N. America –Freedom: an absence of restraint from English authority All colonies created elected legislatures –NOT sanctioned by the Crown –Levied taxes, raised militias, paid royal governors
1)Indian tribes feel more threatened a.Loss of French trading partners b.Colonists encroach more 2)Brits tighten control of expanded empire & demand financial contributions to pay off debt and for military defense a.Enforce Navigation Laws b.TAX! 3)French thirst for revenge
England’s New Policy in Action Proclamation of 1763 What? –No settlement west of the Appalachians Why? –Pontiac’s War Destroyed most of the British forts & killed settlers REACTION? resented & ignored Chapter 7