The American Theater of the Seven Years’ War French & Indian War The American Theater of the Seven Years’ War

Battle for Supremacy in North America Great Britain and France both wanted to expand their empire in North America Virginia and Pennsylvania started to sell land west of the Appalacian Mtns. to colonists France responded by building military forts along the Appalacian Mtns.

A Young Officer in the British Army—The Start of a Promising Career… 20-year old George Washington traveled to the Ohio River Valley with a message for the French….. The French refused July 1754—French & Native American troops surrounded Ft. Necessity Washington surrenders

First Ft. Necessity, then Ft. Duquesne King George II appointed Edward Braddock General of British forces in America Braddock moved slowly to French-controlled Ft. Duquesne French & Native American troops ambushed British

Pitt in Power Fortunes turned when William Pitt became Prime Minister of England American colonists could not pay for the war Pitt decided that Britain would pay for the war and recover losses from the colonists later Goal: Don’t just defend the colonies, conquer the French in North America

British conquered Quebec in 1759 and Montreal in 1760 to turn the tide of the war Treaty of Paris signed in 1763 ended the French & Indian War (Seven Years’ War)

Pontiac’s War Native Americans were not ready to give up the fight at the end of the French & Indian War Chief Pontiac made alliances with several tribes and declared war on Britain’s American colonies

Proclamation of 1763 To avoid further conflict with Native Americans, Great Britain “proclaimed” that they would no longer settle colonists west of the Appalacian Mtns. This upset Britain’s American colonists