French and Indian War 1754-1763

Modern day Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Here, the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers meet to form the Ohio River – Gateway to the Ohio River Valley

And now a word from John Green… Crash Course in History with John Green

Causes of the French and Indian War As colonial population is increasing, the English colonists begin moving west into the Ohio River Valley. At the same time, the French were moving east into the Great Lakes region, near the Ohio River Valley. This resulted in territorial disputes between the French and English settlers There was also an increase in the number of Native American attacks on the English Colonists.

The Spark As tensions grew between the French and English settlers, a small group of soldiers from Virginia, lead by 21 year old Major George Washington, were sent to carry a letter to French commanders in Virginia claimed territory. A skirmish broke out between the French and Virginians, resulting in the death of the French commander.

Who Fights in the French and Indian War? 13 Colonies French Settlement 13 British Colonies English troops from Great Britain Native American allies, including: Iroquois Confederacy French Settlers French troops from France Native American allies, including: Wabanaki Confederacy Algonquin Ottawa Shawnee Mohawk Huron

Colonial Response: The Albany Congress June 19-July 11, 1754 Representatives from 7 colonies meet to discuss better relationships with the Native Americans and defense against the French 1st time the colonists come together to discuss/solve an issue Published by Ben Franklin in the Pennsylvania Gazette. Encouraged unity among the colonies in the French and Indian War.

A New Type of Warfare The French and Indian War introduced a new style of warfare: Guerilla Warfare Hit and run fighting where small groups of soldiers use techniques such as ambushes Introduced by the Native Americans Very different from European style fighting English soldiers struggled to adapt to this new style, resulting in early French victories

British Victory over the French! After a long war, the Treaty of Paris of 1763 declared the English winners! Many called the French and Indian War (part of the 7 Year’s War) the first world war because there was not only fighting in North America, but also in Europe, Africa, and India.

British victory led to massive territorial gains and the French were wiped out of North America

British Victory: But Problems Remain? Because of their territorial gains, England was left with a massive amount of land to protect. France’s Native American allies were not very happy the French were kicked out. Over 10,000 English soldiers remained in the colonies. A massive war debt

British Victory: Solutions to the Problems Proclamation of 1763: Colonists cannot move west of the Appalachian Mountains Passed because of an increased amount of Native American attacks along the frontier in the Ohio River Valley To pay off the war debt, Parliament is going to enact taxes on the American colonists…