The Expansion of the Colonies. French and Indian War The Expansion of the Colonies.

Ohio River Valley By the Mid -1700’s, the major powers of Europe were locked in a worldwide struggle for empire. England, France, Spain and the Netherlands competed for trade and colonies. North American Colonies soon became caught up in this contest. The French claimed the area from the St. Lawrence River west to the Great Lakes and south to the Gulf of Mexico. English at first were happy staying on the east coast, but by 1740’s they wanted to move west of the Appalachian Mountains to take over the very profitable fur trade business the French and the Indians had established.

European Rivals The French were able to get the “Huron & Algonquin” Indians to help push out the English. The English were able to get the “Iroquois” who joined because of their hatred for the Huron.

War Begins 1754 – Major George Washington (22 years old) sets out to build a fort at the “Monongahela & Allegheny rivers”. (Ohio River starts here.) Washington finds the French “Fort Duquesne” is already built and occupied by the French.

Determined, Washington builds a small outpost named “Fort Necessity” Determined, Washington builds a small outpost named “Fort Necessity”. He refuses to just let the French control the area. While on a patrol Washington discovers a patrol of French soldiers scouting in his area.

Washington attacks a the group of French soldiers killing 21 Washington attacks a the group of French soldiers killing 21. “The volley fired by this young Virginian in the forests of America, has set the world in flames.” He returns to his fort and anticipates a counter-attack from his overwhelming foe.

The Battle comes, the French greatly outnumber the English. By the end of the day Washington is negotiating a surrender.

Washington must surrender but he is allowed to leave the fort with his men fully armed. The French burn the fort to the ground.

British get Burned

1755 – “General Edward Braddock” leads 1400 to capture Fort Duquesne. Braddock has a large clumsy force and has to build a 12 ft wide road as they march. Against Washington’s advice Braddock pushes on, only to meet disaster. 6

6 British bright red uniforms are easy targets. Braddock is attacked and the army panics. The British fire in volleys but the French hide behind trees. 900 soldiers are killed and Braddock is mortally wounded. 6

Braddock’s Grave Washington takes charge and organized a retreat. Braddock’s body is buried in the road and the army marches over it so it won’t be desecrated by Indians.

1757 – “William Pitt” became the new head of the British Government (not King). Pitt sends England’s best generals to North America. Money is no object. 1758 – “General Amherst captures Louisbourg & Fort Duqesne”. The Tide Turns

Fort Duquesne is renamed “Fort Pitt”, after the beloved leader Fort Duquesne is renamed “Fort Pitt”, after the beloved leader. This place is now called “Pittsburg”.

The Fall of New France In the north, the British knew that Quebec was vital to the defense of New France. (Supply link) Quebec sat on the edge of the Plains of Abraham a very steep cliff high above the St. Lawrence River. French General Marquis de Montcalm thought there was no way he would be attacked by the British English General Wolfe thought differently and devised a plan. Late at night, he had English soldiers row in small boats to the foot of the cliff. The soldiers swam ashore and climbed the cliff. By morning 4,000 British troops were ready for battle. Both Generals died in the battle and the English won the battle and the French surrendered Quebec on Sept.18, 1759

“Treaty of Paris” - 1763 This marks the end of French power in North America. “Britain gains Canada and all French lands East of the Mississippi”. “Britain also gains Florida from Spain”. “Spain gets New Orleans and lands West of the Mississippi”.