1. “This continent’s not big enough for both of us!”
Colonial Wars
“This continent’s not big enough for both of us!”

2. Basic Antagonisms Religion: Catholic France vs. Protestant England
Competition for Resources: fur/fish/lumber
Influence over Native Americans

3. A Series of Wars King William’s War: 1689-1697
Queen Anne’s War:
King George’s war:

4. The French And Indian War 1754-1763
AKA The 7 Years war or the Great war for Empire. It was the only one that began in North America. By its conclusion, the English domination of North America was assured.

5. A Rough Start
The war began in 1754, after young George Washington unsuccessfully tried to drive the French from Ft. Duquesne (later called Pittsburgh). The French asserted their claim to the Ohio Valley.

6. Early Setbacks
The English suffered notable losses. In 1755, a force under General Edward Braddock was ambushed and massacred near Ft. Duquesne. The English did not understand American tactics, and British officers refused to listen to advice from “colonials”.

7. Getting the Job Done!
William Pitt became the war minister and changed British policy, throwing everything into winning the war and working with the colonists. Victories followed, including the fall of Quebec in 1758.

8. Treaty of Paris, 1763
Britain got all of North America east of the Mississippi, Spain got everything west (and New Orleans!)

9. So Who’s Gonna Pay For This?
After the war, Britain had a staggering debt! Plus, all that land is expensive to administer and maintain. Who would get the bill for the burdens of empire?