France and Britain Clash Chapter 4 Section 3 By: Wayne Worsham & Landon Brown

British/French Rivalry Britain and France had been competing for wealth for centuries, and in the middle 1700’s they were the strongest powers in Europe. Both countries had claims in North America, and although there was room enough for both countries, it seemed inevitable that a conflict would take place. Their rivalry continues even today.

Border Clashes

Fur Trade

Fort Pickawillany British fur traders went deep into Ohio and build Fort Pickawillany. The French fur traders didn’t care for the British coming into the territory they had claimed, so they destroyed the fort in 1752. After the fort was destroyed, the French built a series of forts along the rivers of the upper Ohio Valley.

Louisbourg The destruction of Fort Pickawillany was only the start. In the 1740’s and 1750’s the French raided towns in New England. In response, New Englanders went north and captured the French fortress of Louisbourg. They later returned it to the French.

Native Americans take sides Most Indians sided with the French, who had generally treated them well The Iroquois Confederacy – the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida – eventually sided with the British to maintain trade relations

Governor Dinwiddie, Virginia Governor Dinwiddle sends a young man into the Ohio territory with orders to speak with the French and convince them to leave

George Washington 1753 Governor of Virginia sent 21-year-old planter and surveyor George Washington to tell the French to vacate territory claimed by Great Britain. Washington was chosen because of his middle-class background, his interest in the military, and his intimidating stature (6’ 3”, 180 – 200 lbs) He was laughed at by the French.

Undeterred… Governor Dinwiddie promotes Major George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel and sends him back into Ohio territory with about 400 militia soldiers (citizen-soldiers)

Ohio Territory (now Pennsylvania)

Pittsburg today

“Pittsburg” in the 1750’s

Fort Duquesne About 600 French soldiers stationed here, along with many fur trappers and traders

Fort Necessity Constructed by Washington’s troops in five days. Expecting a traditional European-style attack, most of the construction time was spent building the mounds around the fort. The French did not attack in the normal European fashion…

After Fort Necessity Washington called a hero by newspapers and popular opinion Washington himself was disappointed with his performance and retired from the army, though he would volunteer again just a few years later Washington had learned hard lessons at Fort Necessity that he would remember later in his life

Summary F&I war will be fought for three reasons: Land Money (furs) Rivalry Ohio Territory includes portions of modern-day Pennsylvania George Washington Early failures, lessons learned Reputation undamaged

The End Thanks for looking at our slide show, we hope you learned a lot about the French And British Clash.