1. The French & Indian War , 1754-63
Or The 7 Years War & the Start of the American Revolution,

2. 18th Century Colonial Society, 1700s
British 13 Colonies: colonists proud to be in British empire;
Often better lives in colonies than Britain!: more cheap consumer choices and landownership                     
Salutary Neglect ( ): Britain provide peace, protection, commerce, ensure law & send more immigrants, but colonies left alone; had to develop self-reliance & organization                  
a.    Britain was focused on major wars in Europe
b.    Colonies left to raise, equip & train own militia for protect against Indians
Mercantilism (1700s): Economic system – the colonies must trade with “mother” country (Britain) for the empire’s benefit
Colonies get to sell all their products to the empire, but must not trade with other empires. A lot of laws, but also a lot of smuggling.
French and Native Americans

4. French & Indian War (1754-1763 -- Seven Years' War) --most important of the colonial wars.
Main issue was the Ohio Valley
British were pushing west into it; wary of French influence in North America
French needed to retain it to link Canada with the lower Mississippi valley & Caribbean.
Washington’s Ohio Mission -- Battle near Fort Duquesne -- May, 1754
Lt. Col. George Washington sent by Virginia gov’t to forks of Ohio River to prevent French from building fort there; hoped instead to build a British fort.
Washington defeated and forced to surrender his entire command but  allowed to leave with his army intact.
In effect, Washington triggered a world war
War widened into hitherto largest world war: 25,000 American colonials fought    
Peace of Paris (1763): In effect, France was removed from North America (Technically, land west of Mississippi River still French but not settled.)
Great Britain emerged as the dominant power in North America and as the leading naval power in the world.

6. Seven Years War Effect #1: End of Salutary Neglect!
British debt from the Seven Years' War was enormous
Half the debt due to protection of the colonies
British thought colonists should pay 1/3 of maintaining a garrison of 10,000 British soldiers to protect against Indian uprisings.
To pay the debt, Britain felt it needed to do two things
Force colonies to follow Mercantilism, & only trade with Britain so that the trade will help Britain pay the bills
Make colonies pay for their protections through new taxes.
Both actions, beginning in 1763, required a new relations between England and the colonies: the END OF SALUTARY NEGLECT
George Grenville, new Prime Minister, sought to enforce Navigation Acts, and force colonists to only trade with Britain (or, follow Mercantilism)         
Americans particularly angry about increased authority of Admiralty Courts that could now try smugglers, tax evaders, ship owners, and others accused of violating commercial restrictions; no trial by jury; located in Nova Scotia.        

7. Seven Years War Effects, Proclamation of 1763
Pontiac’s Rebellion
Indians in Ohio Valley region angered at British treatment of Indians during the last years of the French and Indian War.
Chief Pontiac, Ottowa chief, refused to surrender his lands to the British although France (their ally in the war) had lost and were now gone.
Chief Pontiac led an Indian alliance against whites in the Ohio Valley & Great Lakes region in 1763
9 of 11 British forts taken; several wiped out.
Perhaps 2,000 lives lost during first 6 mos. of conflict, many more driven from their homes on the frontier back to more settled areas.
It took British 18 months to bring the rebellion under control.
British retaliated with germ warfare: blankets infected with smallpox distributed among the Native Americans
Rebellion subdued in October, 1763
Proclamation of 1763: Prohibited colonials to move west of the Appalachians
British aim: Settle land disputes with Indians fairly to prevent future uprisings like Pontiac's Rebellion.
Colonials infuriated: veterans had fought in the war and felt betrayed & land speculators demanded lands.
Colonists generally ignored the Proclamation 

9. Revolutionary Era:
Assignment: As a group follow the instructions
As a group, study each document and discuss
What does the document “SAY”? In other words, summarize its main points.
How does the document help you answer the question below?
As a group, discuss and then answer the following question:
According to the documents and notes provided, why did the American colonists believe that they needed to protest British policies in the 1760s-70s and then declare independence in 1776?
There are multiple reasons (causes) for colonist dissent. Make sure you discuss political, economic and social reasons for colonist anger towards the British King
Pre-Revolution 13 Colonies
Government Types: many colonies had councils, elections & representatives
Colonial Society: some colleges, small newspaper, BARS, = political talk
Demand 4 Land: coast getting crowded; wanted to move west into Native American land.
Euro Wars: 1763 French defeat opens western lands; England not undefeatable
Revolutionary Spirit
Discontent GREW: from reform (small changes) to revolution (total change)
Taxes, laws/events in 1760s-70s convinced colonialists: King wants to control us!
Declaration of Independence: all people have right to choose gov’t and destroy gov’ts that hurt people; (radical idea)