Introduction to the American Revolution French and Indian War

The French and Indian War (1754-1763) There is new, unsettled land. The land is located in the Ohio River Valley. This land is desirable for many different reasons. Name a few reasons why this particular piece of land would be desirable for settlers. Why would countries fight to have it? 1. Near water- moreways of transportation (good for trade) 2. The closer it is to water, the more fertile the soil will be for agricultural reasons 3. Whoever settled in this land could potentially take over the rest of the land in the undiscovered American territories

Who fought in this war? Why did this war take place? France vs. Britain Other Indian tribes Why did this war take place? Two countries, both wanted to be the stronger power in North America Fighting for the land so they seem more dominant and powerful Argument over who claimed the land first

Who settled in the Ohio River Valley first? French explorer LaSalle claimed a huge land area that stretched from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west and from the Great Lakes in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south French slowly began to move into all of the Ohio River Valley although it was not really part of LaSalle’s claim

Who settled in the Ohio River Valley first? The majority of French people who moved in during the time were fur traders. They traded with the American Indians. Gradually, British fur traders began to move into the Ohio River Valley. This upset France because British then started making a better relationship with the American Indians and began to offer them more goods.

The French and Indian War? The war broke out between Great Britain and France. At first, the British were fighting the French and their Native American allies, hence the name; the French and Indian War. France teamed up with the Algonquins. They were allies. Remember: France and Algonquins are allies. The Iroquois, a Native American Confederacy, did not necessarily get along with the French. British and Iroquois saw eye to eye.

And the winner is… The British were too powerful for the French and Indians and they won the land back over. Hooray! Hooray! The Colonists are now so very happy! They now had all this new land to settle…

Not so fast… At the end of the French and Indian War, the British government issued a proclamation stating that all of the land west of the Allegheny Mountains should be left for the Native Americans. The proclamation was officially called the Proclamation of 1763. This strongly angered the Colonists and began the start of the American Revolution.

Why did the British create the Proclamation of 1763? British wanted to prevent the colonists from going west and passed the Appalachian Mountains. The British did this to prevent future issues between Native Americans and the colonists. Colonists were angered because they wanted the benefits that would come with the western lands.

Activity We are the colonists! Let’s write a note to the British King, King George III, stating how you would feel if you were a colonist about the Proclamation of 1763 Include what angers you about the Proclamation of 1763, a solution you can think of that would be considered a compromise, and other requests/changes you might have