Prelude to the Revolution: The French and Indian War US History - Libertyville HS

Setting the Stage F & I war an extension of the 7 Years War in Europe Big Question: Who will control world trade? F & I (in America) = 7 Yrs War (in Europe)

The Sides French possessions in America French possessions in America West of Appalachians, past Great Lakes and Mississippi River West of Appalachians, past Great Lakes and Mississippi River Quebec & Ontario Quebec & Ontario English possessions in America English possessions in America Eastern seaboard, short of Appalachians and Lake Erie Colonists had been in America for 150 years – separate identity forming Colonists had been in America for 150 years – separate identity forming Not all were even British! (German, Scottish, Dutch) Not all were even British! (German, Scottish, Dutch) French Royal Flag, 18 th C. British Union Flag, 18 th C.

What about the Native Americans? Ohio Valley Indians allied with French Ohio Valley Indians allied with French French began building line of forts through Ohio Valley French began building line of forts through Ohio Valley Cut off English access to fur trade Cut off English access to fur trade Also, block English colonists from expanding west Also, block English colonists from expanding west

What about the Native Americans? Iroquois were reluctant allies of British The Iroquois HATED the colonists BUT... they HATED the Ohio Valley Indians more Some attempted neutrality - lose / lose proposition Indian slaughter of prisoners, 1759

Lead up to War British claimed same lands as French British claimed same lands as French Sent 15,000 regulars (“Redcoats”) to protect colonists Sent 15,000 regulars (“Redcoats”) to protect colonists British also planned seizure of Canada (for the fur trade) British also planned seizure of Canada (for the fur trade)

Start of War Young George Washington (21 y.o.) in charge of VA militia (Mom story & Braddock) Young George Washington (21 y.o.) in charge of VA militia (Mom story & Braddock) Sent to Pittsburgh in 1754 to stop French fort building Sent to Pittsburgh in 1754 to stop French fort building French forts: Duquesne & Le Boeuf French forts: Duquesne & Le Boeuf GW builds Fort Necessity GW builds Fort Necessity Brits send along Iroquois allies (Half-Chief) Brits send along Iroquois allies (Half-Chief) Americans ambush French; Iroquois slaughter patrol Americans ambush French; Iroquois slaughter patrol French counterattack, defeat Washington – he surrenders French counterattack, defeat Washington – he surrenders General Braddock ambushed, killed = WAR! General Braddock ambushed, killed = WAR! Washington, In VA militia uniform

Indians, During the War Ohio Valley Indians kill about 3,500 colonists in raids in first 3 years of war Ohio Valley Indians kill about 3,500 colonists in raids in first 3 years of war Colonists HATE the OV indians Colonists HATE the OV indians 1760 – flag of truce for trade 1760 – flag of truce for trade Indians ask for blankets Indians ask for blankets Jeffrey Amherst: traded blankets infected with smallpox Jeffrey Amherst: traded blankets infected with smallpox OV Indians devastated by disease that winter – never recover OV Indians devastated by disease that winter – never recover Ohio River Valley

Results of War English win on ALL fronts English win on ALL fronts 1760: Fighting in Europe ends 1760: Fighting in Europe ends British send 60,000 more troops to America, Canada British send 60,000 more troops to America, Canada Push French out of Quebec, West across Mississippi Push French out of Quebec, West across Mississippi Death of British General Wolfe outside Quebec

Demographics of America, 1763 Nationwide 2.3 million whites and blacks 2.3 million whites and blacks 90% Americans are farmers 90% Americans are farmers 4 major cities (shipping) 4 major cities (shipping) New York City (28,000) Boston, MA (32,000) Philadelphia, PA (30,000) Charleston, SC (10,000) Boston New York Charleston Philadelphia

Demographics of America, 1763 Between 1760 and 1775, 225,000 immigrants arrive in America Between 1760 and 1775, 225,000 immigrants arrive in America Majority NOT English Majority NOT English Most German, Irish (+ Scots-Irish, post Culloden) Most German, Irish (+ Scots-Irish, post Culloden) Military tradition very strong in these groups Military tradition very strong in these groups

Demographics of America, 1763 Slavery ½ of population of VA slaves Mainly tobacco field workers (cotton didn’t become big until 1800s) 50% of Americans “unfree” at some point in life Black slave Indentured servant Indenture contract, 1739 Slaves on VA Plantation, 1790

Why Do Demographics matter? Majority of American population made up of... Majority of American population made up of... Indentured servants Indentured servants Scots-Irish Scots-Irish Religious dissenters Religious dissenters Former debtor-prisoners Former debtor-prisoners Germans Germans Slaves Slaves Loyalty to British? Not really! (Emerging national ID: Protestants that don’t like British nobility / royalty) Loyalty to British? Not really! (Emerging national ID: Protestants that don’t like British nobility / royalty) Immigration groups, 1770

Results of War to British, Americans Treaty of Paris (1763) makes Britain most powerful European country Treaty of Paris (1763) makes Britain most powerful European country Threat of Indians, French toward colonists gone Threat of Indians, French toward colonists gone British: colonists must love us! British: colonists must love us! Colonists: we don’t need British any more… Colonists: we don’t need British any more…