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The French and Indian War (1754-1763)
The Final Colonial War
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England vs. France Both sought control of Europe + commercial supremacy Colonial wars part of larger conflicts in Europe Fought mainly at sea & in colonies Ohio Valley - main area of conflict
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Ohio Valley Claims English, French, & Indians had competing land claims in lands west of Appalachians VA formed Ohio Co. & speculated in land & fur trade Competing with France for Indian fur trade French built chain of forts to halt English expansion - extended into PA territory
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French & Indian War VA colonial militia under Col. George Washington sent to evict French forces (1754) Built Fort Necessity near strategic French Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh) Washington forced to abandon Necessity facing superior French troops (7/4/1754) Indian support faded with loss
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Albany Conference of 1754 Delegates of 7 colonies met with Iroquois chiefs to discuss mutual defense Plan of colonial union proposed by Ben Franklin A Grand Council would oversee defense, Indian relations, trade, taxation & westward expansion Would have a royally appointed executive with veto power
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#failure Albany Plan 1st plan of Inter- Colonial Union
Albany Plan rejected by colonies & Parliament England feared colonies would become too strong Colonies refused to surrender control over own taxation Even in face of real danger #failure
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Early British Failures
Braddock underestimated French & unfamiliar w/ wilderness warfare French & Indians ambushed Braddock’s force of British & Colonial soldiers near Ft. Duquesne 900 incl. Braddock die vs. 23 French - Washington leads survivors home Montcalm (FR) invades NY
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British Failures Most British regulars committed to European fighting
Bulk of early fighting done by colonial militia Poorly coordinated - gave French & Indian allies an early advantage Only early British victory was in Nova Scotia (1755) - expelled the Acadians
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French Advantage Anglo-Americans outnumbered French forces 20:1
but were ill-trained Colonies resisted providing more troops Most enlisted for short time French well-trained & led Fought hard Canadians recruited in large numbers
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The Tide Turns English Prime Minister William Pitt took control of fighting forces Sent troops, able leaders & supplies Greater support for war in England & colonies Raised # of colonial troops by promising that England would pay for the war 21K colonial troops in 1758
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British Offensives Led by British generals Jeffrey Amherst & James Wolfe Amherst took Ft. Duquesne & Louisbourg in 1758 Louisbourg guards entrance to St. Lawrence River Drive French from northern NY & Lake Ontario region in 1759
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British-American invasion of Canada
Turning point of the war Wolfe captured Quebec -Capital of New France & a military stronghold Decisive battle of the war Montcalm & Wolfe killed Montreal fell, effectively ending French resistance
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Treaty of Paris of 1763 France cedes Canada to England
England gave French back the islands of Guadalupe & Martinique + 1/2 of Hispaniola France gave Spain New Orleans & all land west of Miss. River England kept Florida Havana & Manila returned to Spain England took India Treaty of Paris of 1763
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Results and Consequences of the War
For England: England dominant in N. Am. National debt in England doubled as a result of the war Parliament looked to the colonies for additional money Would begin to tax colonies for the purpose of raising $ Wanted Americans to pay 1/3 of cost of their defense
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Results & Consequences
For the Colonies: French threat removed Colonists less dependent on England for defense Valuable military experience for soldiers Learned importance of unity & cooperation Colonials resent change in economic & trade policy English ideas, language, & institutions survive
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Residual Friction Colonists resented lack of credit given to militias
British officers complained about quality of militia men & lack of civilian support Ex: supplying food & shelter Colonist resented arrogance of British officers British citizens resented higher taxes to pay for war Pitt promised to cover cost
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Residual Friction Colonial expansion into west angered Native Americans Some (e.g. Pontiac) led anti-British movements Attacked frontier forts Fighting cost England $ Indians eventually make peace Brit govt. issued Proclamation of to appease Native Americans
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Proclamation of 1763 England took control of western lands
Settlement, trade, etc. Goal - organize expansion Recognized Indian claims west of proclamation line Colonist thought they needed western land to prosper Saw British troops who enforced Proc. Line as hindering needed expansion
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