The French and Indian War

France Builds a Colony French society took a turn towards unity with the passage of the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which effectively ended religious wars between the Huguenots and Catholics (France’s main religion) King Louis XIV had a vested interest in colonial expansion Though Samuel de Champlain had established a French colony in Quebec, French peasants had little incentive to move. The Huguenots were barred from the colony, following the repeal of the Edict in 1685. The French colony was very sparsely populated because of these factors. The major economic resource found in the French territory was the beaver and French fur-trappers (known as coureurs de bois) recruited Native Americans to fulfill demand.

Stopping the Neighbors Bordered by both English and Spanish colonies, France defended its territory from invasion. To keep the English from pushing into the Ohio Valley, Antoine Cadillac established the city of Detroit. Robert de La Salle blocked the Spanish push from the Gulf of Mexico by travelling down the Mississippi and declaring the land around him as ‘Louisiana’- after King Louis XIV. In 1718, the city of New Orleans was established at the mouth of the Mississippi River, blocking the Spanish from accessing a pivotal trade port.

Stopping the Neighbors However, conflict between the European countries was unavoidable. Queen Anne’s War pitted British colonists against the coureurs de bois. The colonists, utilizing primitive guerilla warfare techniques against the French fur traders. When peace terms were signed, Britain was the winner, gaining trade rights in Spanish America, and seizing portions of French Louisiana. Continued skirmishes between Britain and its Europeans in America continually required the colonists to defend their home, while Britain continued its policy of salutary neglect. Britain’s unofficial policy of relaxing restrictions on the colonies ~1690s

Fighting the French Clashes occurred over territory in the Ohio Valley between France and Britain. Virginian farmers had claimed land in western Pennsylvania, but the French were in the process of establishing forts in that areas. Young George Washington was sent to lay claim to the land. At Fort Duquesne, Washington and his troops won against a small group of French. However, the French soon returned with reinforcements and attacked Washington and his men at nearby Fort Necessity. Though defeated, Washington was allowed to march his men home with honor.

French and Indian War- the before After Washington’s defeat at Fort Necessity, the British government summoned the colonies to the Albany Congress. The immediate purpose was to keep the nearby Iroquois tribes on the side of the British, but it failed. The longer range purpose was to increase colonial unity in a defense against France. Benjamin Franklin published his famous ‘Join or Die’ cartoon in the Pennsylvania Gazette.

French and Indian War- the start Known as the French and Indian War in the colonies, the Seven Years War began in 1756, with the invasion of Canada by the British. The British went after the major port cities of Quebec and Montreal. Had the British been able to capture the ports, the war would have ended as soon as it began, with the French having no way to import goods to the interior of the territory. These cities were taken in 1759 and 1760, respectively, ending any chance at French victory.

French and Indian War- the aftermath Colonists gained a growing sense of independence, no longer fearing the presence of France in North America. The ‘seeds’ of independence had been planted. Tensions between haughty British officers and colonists caused ill feelings; Growing sense of unity within the colonies. Native Americans could no longer pit the European colonies against one another. Chief Pontiac wanted to keep the British out of the Ohio Valley, launching an attack that prompted the British to station troops on the western border of the colonies for ‘protection’. Colonists wanted to push west- but could not because of the Proclamation Line of 1763, which barred settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Treaty of Paris (1763) Lost Canadian holdings The peace treaty ending the war was signed in 1763. France Spain (France’s ally) Britain Lost Canadian holdings Lost claims to land east of the Mississippi River Lost empire in India Acquired French lands west of the Mississippi River and New Orleans Lost Florida to Britain, in exchange for Cuba Acquired all French lands in Canada Acquired all lands east of the Miss. (except New Orleans) Were given exclusive rights to the Caribbean slave trade Emerged as a major commercial power in India