The French and Indian War

The French and Indian War, 1754-1763 was also known as The Seven Years’ War Do the math. Any problems?

They couldn’t use The Nine Years' War because it was already used for the conflict from 1688–97 between Louis XIV of France v. most of the rest of the Europe. The fighting started in North America in 1754 but the main fighting, which happened in Europe, didn’t get going until 1756 so they could make the name The Seven Years’ War fit. The Seven Years’ War was a “world” war that had from 900,000 to 1,400,000 deaths.

Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines were all involved.

George Washington gets his first military experience in this war. In 1754 he led another expedition to the area to assist in the construction of a fort at present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before reaching that point, he and some of his men, accompanied by Indian allies, ambushed a French scouting party. Its leader was killed, although the exact circumstances of his death were disputed. This peacetime act of aggression is seen as one of the first military steps leading to the global Seven Years' War. The French responded by attacking fortifications Washington erected following the ambush, forcing his surrender. Released on parole, Washington and his troops returned to Virginia. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_in_the_French_and_Indian_War

So the French built a fort instead: Fort Duquesne (pronounced “doo cane”) Which the British captured in November 1758 Why is the main fort shaped like a star?

Would become Pittsburg

For our football fans, the Steelers used to play in Three Rivers’ Stadium which was named due to its location at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Monongahela River, which forms the Ohio River. Why would colonists build a fort there?

Battle of Quebec, September 1759 a. k. a Battle of Quebec, September 1759 a.k.a. Battle of the Plains of Abraham Does the siting of the fort/city look familiar?

Louisburg fortress on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia Louisburg fortress on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Captured by British July 1758. Is this picture a primary or secondary source?

British win the Battle of Quebec but General Wolfe dies in the effort French General Montcalm would also die the day after

There were almost 19 British settlers for every French settler! Why did most Native Americans prefer the French to the British? French – fur trapping and trading with Indians, some farming and fishing, not a great number of colonists (80,000) British – more varied economy, farming, ship building, some manufacturing, whaling - 1,500,000 colonists There were almost 19 British settlers for every French settler!

France would loose the war in North America and worldwide France would loose the war in North America and worldwide. The Treaty of Paris, which went into effect in 1763, ended the war.

Why is the French and Indian War important? westward expansion of British colonies enabled France ceded its mainland North America colonies of New France and Acadia as they were a financial drain. France retained the Caribbean islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and the western portion of Hispaniola (today Haiti) as they were profitable sugar producers. St-Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland was retained to preserve valuable fishing rights. 2. huge debts incurred by Britain and France led to: a. British colonies having high taxes which contributed to American revolution Britain thought it only fair that the expenditures it made to protect British colonists from French and Indian attacks should be paid back by the colonists who benefitted. However, but not letting the colonists vote on new taxes would lead to problems. b. French war debt would contribute to French Revolution 3. French resentment over losing the war contributed to their decision to support the American Revolution