The American Revolution

1. Why was the French Empire ultimately so much less successful than either the Spanish or the British Empires?

2. If France, instead of Britain, had won the “duel for North America,” would the thirteen colonies ever have become independent of Britain, or would they have been forced to stay within the empire for protection against France? Would Detroit, St. Louis, and New Orleans now be cities in Canada rather than in the United States?

2. If France, instead of Britain, had won the “duel for North America,” would the thirteen colonies ever have become independent of Britain, or would they have been forced to stay within the empire for protection against France? Would Detroit, St. Louis, and New Orleans now be cities in Canada rather than in the United States?

3. How did the treatment of Americans by British officers and the military, during the war, contribute to simmering resentment against the mother country? Do the attitudes and behavior of the colonists during the war suggest that Americans felt less real patriotic loyalty to Britain and that the ties had become largely practical ones?

4. How important was William Pitt’s leadership in winning the Seven Years’ War? Is strong political leadership essential to military victory? Is strong political leadership or strong military leadership more important to winning a war? What about during revolutions?

The French and Indian War

Britain and France in the New World Ohio River Valley 1753 Major George Washington (VA)

Washington Starts a War Fort Prince George 1754 British French renamed it Fort Dusquene Fort Necessity (different fort entirely)

A Continent at War Seven Years War in Europe Native American alliances Britain: Five Nations (Iroquois) French: Algonquin General Edward Braddock February 1755 Fort Dusquene Guerilla warfare

The Tide Begins to Turn 1758 – William Pitt now prime minister Washington Takes Fort Dusquene Renames it Fort Pitt Quebec: “The Gibraltar of America” General James Wolfe General Louis Montcalm Plains of Abraham

Treaty of Paris—1763 Effects of British victory All French possessions in North America given to Britain Spain gives Florida to Britain Spain gets New Orleans and Louisiana west of the Mississippi Effects of British victory Br. Now most powerful nation in world Br. incurs enormous debt Resentment towards colonists Removed French threat

The Albany Plan of Union 1754—Delegates of 7 colonies met in Albany. Benjamin Franklin proposed plan: Congress of delegates with power to Levy taxes Raise an army Deal with Indians Control westward expansion. Plan rejected

1. Why was the French Empire ultimately so much less successful than either the Spanish or the British Empires?

2. If France, instead of Britain, had won the “duel for North America,” would the thirteen colonies ever have become independent of Britain, or would they have been forced to stay within the empire for protection against France? Would Detroit, St. Louis, and New Orleans now be cities in Canada rather than in the United States?

3. How did the treatment of Americans by British officers and the military, during the war, contribute to simmering resentment against the mother country? Do the attitudes and behavior of the colonists during the war suggest that Americans felt less real patriotic loyalty to Britain and that the ties had become largely practical ones?

4. How important was William Pitt’s leadership in winning the Seven Years’ War? Is strong political leadership essential to military victory? Is strong political leadership or strong military leadership more important to winning a war? What about during revolutions?