1. The French and Indian War
As Mr. George would say, “The Most Important War In the History of North America!”

2. Causes of the War…
England and France both wished to claim the region known as the Ohio River Valley.
England wanted the land for rich fertile farmland.
French wanted the land for Fur trade hunting grounds.
Settlers from both nations began to have conflict over each other on this land. It was only a matter of time before the armies got involved.

4. Causes: The War Begins
The British sent an army to march to a French fur trading outpost they claimed was on British Territory.
The British were attacked on their march by the French and their Native Allies.
Led by a Young George Washington the British established a fort called Fort Necessity.
The French attack the fort and force Washington to surrender. This marks the beginning of the war.

6. Course: Not a Good Start for the British.
At the beginning of the war, the English struggled heavily in this conflict.
Issues back in England
Many people back in England had little interest in the war.
Style of Fighting
The French and their Native Allies were using Guerilla Warfare. This was an uncommon style of fighting for the British Army.
Native Americans
Many Native American tribes sided with the French because the French treated them better.
English did have some Native Allies but not as many as the French.

7. Course: The War Changes
England gets a new Prime Minister to run the war. His name is William Pitt.
Saw the Colonial Conflict as key to building a grand empire.
Raised money for the war by borrowing from other nations and pay the for more British troops to fight.
(Keep in mind, every time you borrow money, you have to find a way to pay it back)

8. Course: Colonial Support
The British Colonies began to raise local militias to aid in the fight against the French and their Native Allies.
The Albany Plan of Union
Idea that the colonies should come together to agree to pledge their finances and military resources to help defend each other.
Championed by Benjamin Franklin.

10. Course: End of the War
The British begin to win major victories against the French and push them back further into Canada.
Just outside the settlement of Quebec, the British win the final major victory on the Plains of Abraham. Once Quebec falls from this battle, the French no longer have any major military forces left to defend their territory in North America.

11. Effects: The Immediate Impact
England and France sign the Treaty of Paris 1763 that official ends the war.
From this war, England gains all of Canada and much of the French lands in present day U.S.
England also gains Florida from Spain (who aided France in the war towards the end)
Spain is given the Louisiana Territory at the conclusion of the war.

13. Effects: The Impact on the Colonies
England needs to pay back all the money they borrowed for the war.
England decides to place taxes on the colonists to help pay for the war.

14. Effects: Cont…
Settlers begin to move into the Ohio River Valley, but this upsets many Native Americans.
Chief Pontiac attacks the British at Detroit and encourages other Natives to attack British
British Army is sent in to put down Pontiac’s Rebellion.
They are successful and Chief Pontiac is forced to sign a treaty.
To prevent further tension between England and Natives and to keep a their colonists close to the coast to pay their taxes, England passes the Proclamation of 1763.
Stated English colonists could not move past the Appalachian Mountains.
Many colonists become furious because they had fought the war for this land and now could not use it.
Also the colonists were having to pay taxes for a war that even though the land was theirs they could not use it.
Many colonists believed they had earned the right to settle their because they too had fought iin the war.