The French & Indian War (1756 – 1763)

North America in 1700’s Look carefully at this map that shows the different countries who have claimed the land so far…

Why the War? Native American tribes were afraid they were going to be driven out of their land by the British (English) settlers. The Native Americans believed the land was a gift from the Creator, while the colonists thought they had the right to claim any land that was unsettled. British settlers wanted more land to build towns and farms. As British settlers moved west to the Ohio River Valley, French settlers argued that the land belonged to France. Both countries wanted to control the fur trade with the Indians and the valuable farmland.

Who Won? France refused to leave and give their land to the British….so the war began. But, the British won the war, so they got the land!

Bad News… Britain was in debt because of the war. Britain’s solution to get rid of debt was to impose taxes on the colonists. Britain thought the colonists should pay the money…after all, it was their land that Britain was defending! But, the problem is that the colonists had been governing themselves and taxing themselves. In order for Britain to make the colonists pay, they would have to change their policies!

Results After the French & Indian War, the British Parliament passed laws that changed the relationship between the colonial assemblies and the British Parliament. The colonists thought that it was their right to impose taxes…not the British Parliament! So, they resisted the change in the policy.

Road to a New War The Revolution!! Americans begin to get angry with England: They did not want to pay for Britain’s war with the French. They did not want King George III telling them they could not move west. These and other disagreements will eventually lead to…. The Revolution!! American