The French & Indian War (1754 to 1763) The French & Indian War (1754 to 1763) Mr. Juelfs - 8th Grade US History

North America in 1750

Quebec : Capital of New France Montreal : French settlement which was the center of the fur trade Why they came: Most French came on a temporary basis as trappers & traders, learned to live with the native-Americans, inter-married Plan to establish a permanent colony of farming families in the St. Lawrence River Valley, grew to 15,000 by 1700 The French

French Empire based on Trade Spanish set-out to Rule & Conquer set-out to Rule & Conquer English English Establish colonies as they push Natives off land Establish colonies as they push Natives off land The French vs other Europeans French Flag during this period

French Fur Trade Ordinary Frenchmen couldn’t own land in New France, only nobles who brought settlers Riches lay in pelts & hides, not gold or farming! Depended on American Indian help Depended on American Indian help Fur Trappers & Traders learned to live like the Indians Fur Trappers & Traders learned to live like the Indians

British French Conflict in the Ohio Valley 1754  Build up to War Fort Necessity * George Washington Fort Duquesne * Delaware * Shawnee Indians ‣ George Washington led a surprise attack against the French ‣ The French countered by attacking Ft. Necessity ‣ Washington retreated to Virginia ‣ Huron Indians sided with the French ‣ The French & Indian war had now begun ‣ Part of a larger conflict - The Seven Years War George Washington

Ben Franklin Proposed that the British colonies band together & send representatives to a Grand Council (which could collect taxes, raise arms & make treaties) 1754  Albany Plan of Union ‣ Colonist tried to form their own alliances ‣ Reps from the British colonies & the Iroquois nations met in Albany to discuss an alliance

Colonists were not ready for Union Colonial assemblies wanted to keep control of local affairs Colonists: Not enough power for the colonists! England: Too much power for the colonists! Albany Congress Failed Iroquois broke off relations with the British & threatened to trade with France Results of the Albany Congress

Franklin anticipated many of the problems that the government would face after independence Albany contained the seeds of true union These ideas would be adopted 30 years later! Lasting Importance of Albany

Controlled access to the interior St. Lawrence River and Mississippi River Single colonial government, can act quickly (colonies had 13 separate gov’ts) Sent ships & professional soldiers rather than depend on military help from their colonists Loyal Indian Allies ( Huron, Algonquin) French Advantages

British Strengths & Weaknesses Population much larger than that of New France Located along the Atlantic coast Easier to defend Fighting to save their homes & land BUT... British lose Indian allies after they lose at Fort Necessity Indians end up siding with the French or they stay out of the fight!

Gen. Edward Braddock attempts to evict the French from the Ohio Valley & Canada (Newfoundland & Nova Scotia) Braddock ignored repeated warnings and he & his men were ambushed Braddock was killed less than 10 mi. from Ft. Duquesne by relatively small French & Indian force Americans were stunned as British forces suffer various defeats over the next two years 1755  Braddock’s Defeat

British March in formation or bayonet charge Br. officers wanted to take charge of colonials Prima Donna Br. officers with servants & tea settings. Drills & tough discipline Colonists should pay for their own defense Indian-style guerilla tactics Col. militias served under own captains Didn’t observe military protocols observed Resistance to rising taxes Casual, non-professionals Methods of Fighting: Military Organization: Military Discipline: Finances: Demeanor: British-American Colonial Tensions Colonials

Britain’s Secretary of State1757 begins to transform the British war effort Under total British control Pours $$$ into the war effort Colonists forced to provide supplies, equipment, shelter and manpower William Pitt

The Tide Turns for England Pitt focuses on 3 main goals to defeat the French: Take control of… Louisburg, Quebec, and Montreal Native-American allies abandon the French who are outnumbered, confused, exhausted, outgunned, & low on supplies

Louisburg fell to Brits under General Wolfe 1st significant British victory of the war Wolfe takes Fort Duquesne in the Ohio Valley renamed it Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh, PA) Quebec falls to Brits 18,000 English vs. 14,000 French 18,000 English vs. 14,000 French Wolfe & Montcalm both die Montreal falls to Brits Wolfe & Montcalm both die Montreal falls to Brits End of French in Canada End of French in Canada French population remained behind French population remained behind Treaty of Paris formally ends the French & Indian War Treaty of Paris formally ends the French & Indian War The Tide Turns for England

France --> lost her Canadian possessions, most of her empire in India & all claims to lands east of the Mississippi River. Basically, lost all land in N. America Spain --> got all French lands west of the Mississippi River (New Orleans) but lost Florida to England England --> got all French lands in Canada, exclusive rights to Caribbean slave trade & commercial dominance in India 1763  Treaty of Paris

North America in 1763

1.It increased Britian’s colonial empire in America 2.It greatly enlarged England’s debt 3.England felt that a major reorganization of her American Empire was necessary! Effects of the War on Britain & America? Britain America 1.It united the colonies against a common enemy 2.It created a socializing experience for all the colonials who participated Both (towards one another) 1.It created bitter feelings that would only intensify