Wars of Empire

European Competition and the Colonies  Rivalry between the French and British government over the ownership if the Ohio Valley.  The British and the French both gave gifts to the Indians to win them but the Indians tried to remain neutral (preserving the balance of power).  The Indians started to side more with the French when the British colonists continued to increase and take Indian land

Attempts to Unify  The colonial delegates came together to review Ben Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union  The plan proposed the colonies would unite under Britain and cooperate with each other in times of war - the colonies refused to accept its provisions

French and Indian War  The “French and Indian War”, the colonial part of the “Seven Years War”  This war was a battle of the British against the French and Native Americans (French allies)

The French and Indian War  Began in 1753, when a young Virginian, Major George Washington, and a small force of Virginia militiamen marched to the Ohio Country to drive the French out.  The early battles were dominated by the French  The turning point of the war was Britain’s European blockade of French supplies  The Indians deserted their French allies  The British won with the capture of Quebec

1763  Treaty of Paris France lost her Canadian possessions, most of her empire in India, and claims to lands east of the Mississippi River. 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, and commercial dominance in India.

Pontiac’s Rebellion  Native anger was understandable and was rooted in several issues:  English dominance in North America meant the construction of new forts and the movement of new settlers into traditional Indian lands.  British traders did not deal fairly with the Indians, this hurt because the natives had become dependent on European  One of the prime results of Pontiac's Rebellion was the decision of British policymakers to issue the Proclamation of 1763, a measure designed to shut down white settlement of the West.

Aftermath of the War  Although it increased Britain’s colonial empire it also greatly increased Britain’s debt  Britain developed a strong contempt for the colonials  outraged with the lack of cooperation.  Wanted to keep their militia to protect their own area.  Continued to trade with the French during the war.  Assemblies used war to increase their power.  Britain needed to control the Native American population  Britain had to address the problem of newly acquired land to the west Therefore, England started imposing new taxes and laws!

American Colonials After the War  For the first time colonists were united  It created bitter feelings toward the British  The colonists believed they did not need protection from the French or natives  Financially in better shape than England  Colonists wanted to maintain their legislatures and

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