The French and Indian War

Events leading to War In the 1750s, France and Britain were fighting in Europe. The war began spreading to North America. British Colonists wanted to take over French land in North America. The British wanted to take over the fur trade in the French held territory. Britain and France began fighting for control of the Ohio River Valley.

George Washington In 1753, George Washington, then 21 years old, was sent across the Appalachian Mts. to order the French to leave. When the French refused to leave, George Washington’s lieutenant, sent a small force of soldiers from Virginia to build forts at the forks of the Ohio River. The Fort was called Fort Duquesne, near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

George Washington cont.. The fort was barely finished when the French attacked, and George Washington was sent back to reinforce the fort. On his way back to Fort Duquesne, he and 150 Virginians, were surprised attacked by a small group of French soldiers on patrol. The Virginians made a makeshift fort called Fort Necessity. The Virginians were outnumbered and surrendered, which was the opening battle of the French and Indian War. The French let Washington and his soldiers return to Virginia.

When did this war occur? The French fought a war against the colonists and the British over the land in America. This was started in 1754 and lasted until 1763. Europeans called this the Seven Years War.

Native Americans (Indians) British soldiers fought against French soldiers and Native Americans. Native Americans joined in the battle against the British because they were afraid the British would take over their land and because the French had befriended the Indians through their fur trading. 

Results of the War In the peace treaty of 1763 (The Treaty of Paris) the British got most of the French land in North America. The war ended with the British and colonists winning. France lost Canada and all of the French territory east of the Mississippi River except New Orleans. Also as a result of the war, the British began taxing the colonists to pay for the war.

Changes for the colonists… This war changed the way of thinking for the colonists. During the war the colonists fought alongside the British Army. This taught the colonist how to fight as well as making the colonist realize that they no longer needed the British Army for protection. Another result of this war was the colonists learned they must work together to keep their land. After the war many colonists moved across the mountains. They no longer feared the French would attack them.

Timeline of the War Time Line for the French and Indian War October 1753- Governor Dinwiddie sent George Washington to tell the French to stop building forts in the Ohio Valley. The French paid no attention to the warning. May 1754Washington built Fort Necessity. July 9, 1755 Washington lost the Battle of the Wilderness. Washington warned Braddock that the French and Native Americans fought from behind trees instead of marching into battle. Braddock's army was surprised and Braddock was killed. Summer 1755 Seven thousand French peasants  living in Nova Scotia (Arcadians) were rounded up and sent away from their homes by the British. May 1756 England and France formally declared war. 1755-1757The French won battle after battle. 1758 General Wolfe began leading the colonial armies. Fort Duquesne was captured. October 1758 Peace was made between the Native Americans in the Ohio Valley and the British. September 13, 1759 The British defeated the French at Quebec. February 1763 The Peace of Paris awarded all of  North America east of the Mississippi River except New Orleans, including Canada and Florida to the British.