1. Life in the American Colonies
Rivalry in North America
Chapter 5, Lesson 4

2. Rivalry Between the French and the British
Essential Question: Why does conflict develop?
Britain and France are leading world powers in the 1700s
Monarchs across Europe competed for wealth and empire – in North America competition was very strong
When the British began to show interest in the Ohio River Valley in the mid- 1750s, the competition got ugly
England felt it had a right to the rich land beyond the Appalachians
The French and their Native American allies disagreed

3. Rivalry Between the French and the British
Essential Question: Why does conflict develop?
To protect their land claims in the frontier, the French built a chain of forts from Lake Ontario to the Ohio River
The British responded by beginning construction of their own fort in western Pennsylvania – before they could finish construction, the French seized it and named it Fort Duquesne
A Virginia militia was raised in the spring of 1754 to drive out the French
However, the Virginia militia, led by Major George Washington was defeated by the French and their Native American allies

4. Rivalry Between the French and the British – Quick Check
What issue sparked conflict between the French and the British in North America?
Both claimed rights to the Ohio River Valley
What steps did both countries take to protect their claims?
The French built forts from Lake Ontario south to the Ohio River. The British began to build a fort in Western Pennsylvania
What was significant about the loss of Fort Duquesne?
The French seized the site and built yet another fort, adding to the numerous forts they already had

5. Rivalry Between the French and the British
Native American Allies
As events in Europe edged towards the Seven Years War, the conflict in North America escalated – both the French and British looked to Native American alliances for help
The French had already developed alliances with their Native American trade partners who helped them raid British settlements
However, many Native Americans did not trust the land-hungry British
British colonists attempted to negotiate a treaty of alliance with the Iroquois Confederacy, the most powerful group of tribes in eastern North America, but were unsuccessful

6. Rivalry Between the French and the British
Native American Allies
In 1754, delegates to Albany, New York, attempted for the first time to unite the colonies against the French threat
The delegates adopted Benjamin Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union for a united colonial government,
However, when colonial assemblies voted on the plan, not one accepted it
The colonial assemblies rejected the Albany Plan because they were unwilling to surrender their autonomy to a central governing body

7. Rivalry Between the French and the British
Why are colony names missing?
Only seven colonies sent delegates
What does this political cartoon suggest?
Alone, the colonies won’t survive

8. The French and Indian War
What was the turning point in the French and Indian War?
Early in the war, the French were successful in capturing several British forts while their Native American allies carried out bloody raids along the frontier
The turning point in the war came in 1757, when William Pitt became Prime Minister of England and took control of the war effort
He sent seasoned British troops to the colonies to help fight the French in North America
Pitt was not satisfied with gaining control of the Ohio River Valley, he set his sights on conquering all of French Canada

9. The French and Indian War
What was the turning point in the French and Indian War?
After key victories in Nova Scotia and at Lake Ontario in 1758,
Another British force recaptured Fort Duquesne and renamed it Fort Pitt
The British went on to capture Quebec, the capital of New France, in September of 1759 and Montreal the following year
The fall of Quebec and Montreal meant defeat for the French in North America
The Seven Years War would continue between France and England and their allies in Europe until, in February of 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed finally ending the war

10. The French and Indian War
What can you tell form the map about how the British attacked Montreal?
They attacked from three directions
Why do you think Quebec and Montreal are related to French Dominance in the Ohio River Valley?
They controlled access to the St. Lawrence River and the Great lakes
River
St. Lawrence

11. The French and Indian War
What was the turning point in the French and Indian War?
The Treaty of Paris forced France to give up claims to Canada and its territories west of the Mississippi River to Britain
Britain also received Florida from Britain’s ally, Spain
In return, Spain received the Louisiana Territory and the port of New Orleans
The Treaty of Paris marked the end of France as a power in North America – now only Britain and Spain held claims in North America

12. New British Policies
How did the American colonists react to new British policies?
Native Americans were dealt a serious blow with the defeat of France
The British raised the prices of their trade goods with the Native Americans and refused to pay Native Americans for the use of their land
Worst still, American colonists began settling in Native American lands

13. New British Policies
How did the American colonists react to new British policies?
Native Americans like Pontiac saw the settlers as a threat to their way of life
In May of 1763, Pontiac and his forces captured the British fort at Detroit and began killing settlers and burning settlements along the Pennsylvania and Virginia frontiers
After being forced to deal with the Native American revolt, King George III of England declared, in the Proclamation of 1763, that settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains was not permitted
Colonists believed the Proclamation unfairly limited their freedom of movement

14. New British Policies
How did the American colonists react to new British policies?
For the British, the Proclamation of 1763 had a two-fold purpose: it removed a source of conflict with Native Americans, and kept the colonists on the coast were they could be controlled
To enforce the Proclamation, King George sent 10,000 British troops to the colonies which caused resentment among the colonists
Financial problems resulting from the long and costly Seven Years War led England to make plans to tax the colonies and to tighten its trade policies
The end of the French and Indian War led to the beginning of the American Revolutionary Era