The French and Indian War The Pressures of Empire

The Seven Years War? French and Indian war refers specifically to conflict in North America Seven Years War refers to the larger European/Global conflict War fought between England and France over their colonial holdings in North America 1754-1763 (that is 9 years) The turning point in history of British North America

Origins Conflict began in North America British and French both claim territory along the Ohio River France begins constructing forts in area that had been purchased by the English Ohio Company

Lt. Col. George Washington Led an expedition of 200 British soldiers to stop the French Fighting broke out and Washington built Fort Necessity to defend British position English beaten by the French, and Washington returns to Virginia, having started a war.

Fort Necessity

Situations Get into your group (1-4) and take 10 minutes to read your situation and answer the questions. Each group will then present their situation and what they decided to do.

Class Discussion: Causes of the French and Indian War Land in Virginia and the other colonies became very expensive How did it cause conflict? What effect did it have? English colonists & fur traders move to the Ohio Valley Lt. Governor Dinwiddie of VA sells land in the Ohio Valley The French built military forts in the Ohio Valley & attack the English fort

Who drew it???

Benjamin Franklin

America’s First Political Cartoon Published in the Philadelphia Gazette on May 8, 1754 Drawn by Franklin to gain public support for his new strategy British were desperate to find a new way to turn the tide of the war

The Albany Congress Representatives from different colonies came together to convince Iroquois to fight for the British Albany Plan of Union First proposal for unified colonial government Passed at the congress, but rejected by colonial legislatures Although the came to nothing, these events set an important precedent

Treaty of Paris, 1763 Ends French presence in North America New France is completely gone Expands Spanish presence in America Spain takes control of French Louisiana Expands British presence in America England now controls the entire East Coast, Canada, and west to the Appalachian Mountains.

Turning Point? The French and Indian war was a massive military victory for England, but also extremely costly. American colonists believed British victory would final make them the equals of British subject in England The British government in London saw the need to make their colonies more productive, to pay for new, massive war debts

Expectations and Resentment Increasing resentment of colonies by people in England Colonists wanted an end to high taxes, freedom to settle newly acquired British Territory, and to continue to be left alone by English government, but also wanted to be treated as equals with their fellow Englishmen All of these would lead to increasing tensions that would end in Revolution

Pontiac’s Rebellion 1763, Series of conflicts between English and a loose confederation of American Indian led by Chief Pontiac Major clashes in Great Lakes region, just recently won from French.

Proclamation of 1763 Government in London halts all settlement west of the Appalachians This outrages colonists who felt they had fought and died for that land. Proclamation line was very difficult to enforce, but continues to be a source of bad blood.

By the end of 1763, the hopes of many colonists in the wake of the French and Indian War were beginning to waver. Major changes in colonial policy lay ahead, that would quicken the slow process of becoming American.

Exit Ticket Use the last 10 minutes of class to answer: Which Side Will You Choose? Questions 1-3 of “Major Causes of the French & Indian War”