The Duel for North America: The French and Indian War

France was late in acquiring new land because of foreign wars and domestic problems with the Huguenots (French Protestants). Finally, a colony led by Samuel de Champlain was established at Quebec, overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Champlain befriended the Huron Indians, helping them defeat other Indian nations, including the Iroquois. The Iroquois would always remember this and fight against the French.

France did not allow Huguenots to move to the new colony, so it grew slowly. Fur trappers and traders, called voyageurs, dominated the economy.

Problems between Indians & French Addiction to alcohol Beavers often had religious significance to Indians Many dead from European diseases Anger and envy between Indian tribes

Some French, the Jesuits, attempted to convert the Indians to Catholicism and save them from the trappers. They served an important role as explorers and geographers.

The goal of the French was to control the resource rich Ohio Valley, but the British colonists had already begun to move there. To strengthen their claims, the French founded Fort Detroit. They also established forts at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes.

King William’s War and Queen Anne’s War This was the 1st European war to involve the American colonies. The French, Spanish, and Indians all fought against the British colonists. The British didn’t think the colonies were worth sending regular troops to defend. The colonists were mad.

Stupid England. Without us they wouldn’t have the Cartoon Network!

In Europe, England won. So the colonists were able to regain the land lost in the war. The treaty was called the Treaty of Utrecht. But the colonists still didn’t like the French, Spanish, or their Indian allies. Stupid French!

A new war began when a Spanish ship captain cut off the ear of an English captain named Jenkins. This and a few insults aroused the British and colonial ire. Confined to the South and Caribbean Sea, the War of Jenkins Ear eventually merged with the Eurpoean King George’s War.

The French allied with the Spanish. James Oglethorpe and the Georgians fought Spain to a standstill, and drunken New Englanders captured the impregnable French fort of Louisbourg, overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway.

This could prove to be disastrous for the French. Their access to the interior of the continent was now threatened. But the Treaty of Utrecht gave it back to the French!! The colonists were outraged and felt betrayed.

The governor of Virginia sent George Washington, a surveyor, to secure land in Pennsylvania with 150 Virginia militia.

Washington encountered a band of French soldiers, fired on them, and the French ran! But they came back with friends…lots of friends!

Washington quickly built Fort Necessity, but it fell after a 10 hour siege. Washington and his men were allowed to return home.

Thus began the Seven Years War, known as the French and Indian War here in America. It escalated into a global conflict, fought across the world.

Causes of the War: Ongoing Rivalry-Britain and France Colonial Rivalry Control of the Ohio River Valley War of Jenkins Ear King George’s War Queen Anne and King William’s War Money-Mercantilism

After initial losses, the English colonists get organized. General Braddock led the colonists into a disastrous loss against the French and was killed. (Good!) Washington was in charge of protecting the frontier against Indians.

The most spectacular of these was Braddock’s Defeat 9 th July 1755 in western Pennsylvania. [Image source:

Among the colonists who survived were wagon driver Daniel Boone. [Image source:

General Braddock’s 21 year-old aide George Washington organized the British retreat. [Image source:

William Pitt was appointed as the new military leader. He took Louisbourg then took Quebec. By the time he was done, there were no French left on the continent!!

Why the British win the F&I War: 1. Frederick the Great of Prussia (Germany) kicks the poop out of the French in Europe. 2. British control of the St. Lawrence River. 3. William Pitt (British) gets increased $ to pay for the war.

In all the fighting Spain loses Florida to us.

Why colonist got mad at the Brits… 1. The Americans were seen as dirty, cowardly, and contemptible. 2. The Americans didn’t have full citizenship. 3. The English did not recognize militia ranks, like Col. Washington.

Why do the Americans feel less British and more American? 1. The Great Awakening-1st spontaneous movement in America. 2. F&I War-WE won it on our own. 3. The British look down on the colonies. (poor relations) 4. The Proclamation of 1763-no one can settle in the Ohio Valley.

Con’t. 5. Local elections- militia, judges, legislatures 6. British navy “impresses” sailors with Press Gangs 7. No representation (Dom.of NE) 8.Admiralty Courts- no local control