French and Indian War

Essential Questions Who were the opponents in this war and why were they fighting? What was Maryland’s importance in this war? Do you think the forts were wisely built? (location and materials) How did Washington and Braddock’s fighting styles differ? Who had the best strategy? Who won this war? Do you think this is who should have won? Do you think the British government was right to make the colonists pay for the French and Indian War?

England and Colonists vs. French and Indians 1753 - 1763

Cause of War England and France were at war. Some French people began moving to the American colonies from Canada. England did not want to lose the colonies to the French, so the English asked the colonists to help them fight against the French. The French asked some American Indians to help them fight against England and the colonists. Canada Colonies

Building Forts The Maryland people did many things to protect their colony. The governor asked the citizens to build three forts along the western frontier. Fort Frederick was the largest of these forts. The fort’s walls were made of stone. The settlers built houses inside for soldiers to use. General Braddock, along with George Washington, trained soldiers at Fort Cumberland.

Washington Braddock Braddock and his army moved very slowly, building roads and bridges as they headed through the wilderness. Braddock believed that fighting like the Indians was cowardly. * This led to his death! Washington learned that the British were not unbeatable in battle as many people thought. Washington believed that the key to winning the war was to fight like the Indians. * This led him to success during the Revolutionary War!

Effects of War England and the Colonists beat the French and the Indians. The Treaty of Paris was formed between the opponents. This war was very costly to England. The British decided to tax the Colonists to pay for the war!

Essential Questions Who were the opponents in this war and why were they fighting? What was Maryland’s importance in this war? Do you think the forts were wisely built? (location and materials) How did Washington and Braddock’s fighting styles differ? Who had the best strategy? Who won this war? Do you think this is who should have won? Do you think the British government was right to make the colonists pay for the French and Indian War?