French and Indian War France and England (Britain) went to war in 1754 over the fur trade in the Ohio River Valley. Mercantilism was a key cause of the war. Mercantilism basically states that colonies exist to make the mother country richer. Colonies provide the mother country with raw materials like gold, tobacco, fish, furs, etc. The mother country then sells them as they see fit and makes most of the profits. This policy is trying to ensure a favorable balance of trade. In other words, to make money, they try to export more than they import. Study the map and answer the following questions. Who will control the valuable fur trade after 1763? What became the boundary between British and Spanish territories after the war? What country will see a negative impact in their trade with America? What is another way of saying “export more than you import”? What did Britain acquire for giving Spain half of the Louisiana territory? What impact will this war have on the building of missions in Texas? Explain your answer.

The American Revolution After the French and Indian War, King George III of England and Parliament (a group of men elected to help the king make laws) raised taxes in the American colonies to help pay for the war. Many colonists began to protest because they thought the taxes were unfair and cried “no taxation without representation!”. They wanted a voice in government but were denied. This led to some Americans voting for a Declaration of Independence in 1776. A war would break out when King George sent British soldiers called Redcoats to America to enforce the new tax laws. Patriots, as they were called, were no match for the King’s army and the loyalists. Fortunately, the Patriots were able to get France and Spain to help them defeat the British and became their own country in 1783. Who was Spain’s new neighbor to their east? (do not get the red and salmon color mixed up) Why do you think Florida was given back to Spain in 1783? What do you think a loyalist was? Why do you think France and Spain helped the Colonies against Britain? How would this possibly affect Spanish Texas after the War?

The Louisiana Purchase The battles at Lexington and Concord of the American Revolution were “shots heard ‘round the world”. Not literally, but this phrase means that many people around the world were influenced by the men and women in America who stood up to tyranny and fought for liberties. It encouraged some, like the French, to rebel against their king in 1789. The French Revolution got very violent and saw many different people struggle to gain power. A military general named Napoleon was able to seize power and became a dictator in 1799. He then began to try take over Europe, not just France!! In a secret deal with Spain, the western half of the Louisiana Territory was given back to France. The United States was concerned because now France owns New Orleans. The US sent ambassadors to France with the offer to buy New Orleans. Napoleon needed money to finance his European wars so he decided to sell not just New Orleans, but the entire Louisiana territory for $15 million. US President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory in what year? What do you think tyranny means? What do you think Spain got for giving Louisiana back to France? Why do you think New Orleans was so important to the United States? Who seems to be inching closer and closer to Spanish Texas? Who was sent to explore the Louisiana Purchase?

Adams-Onis Treaty After the Louisiana Purchase, Spain and the US both claimed land near the present day border between Texas and Louisiana. The Spanish said the boundary was the Arroyo Hondo, a stream near Natchitoches. The US claimed the boundary was the Sabine River. In the Neutral Ground Agreement of 1806, both sides agreed that no troops would be allowed in this area until the conflict could be resolved. This became a haven for outlaws and filibusters. The United States had three problems with Florida in the early 1800s. Slaves would runaway there, pirates would seek safety there, and the Seminole Indians would attack and sneak back into Florida. The US sent General Andrew Jackson to solve the Indian problem. He invaded Florida without orders to. This could have caused tensions or even a war with Spain. The US told Spain to either help police it or sell it to the US. In the Adams-Onis Treaty, Spain agreed to sell Florida for $5 million. In return, a permanent boundary was drawn in Texas between US and Spanish territories. Spain did not want issues with the US because they were having their own troubles in Mexico! What was something negative about the Neutral Ground Agreement? How did General Jackson’s “mistake” benefit the US? Not considering Florida, who gained more land based on the new boundary? Why might Spain have desperately needed the money? Zebulon Pike was commissioned to go explore the southern part of the Louisiana Purchase. Why do you think he was arrested in 1806 by Spain?