1. The French and Indian War
The war leads to growing tensions between Great Britain and its colonies

2. France and Britain: Rivals for an Empire
France’s North American Empire
• France claims St. Lawrence River region, Mississippi Valley
•1754, French colony of New France has small population
Fur traders, Catholic priest missionaries
• French have good relations, military alliances with natives

3. The War Begins
France and Britain fight two inconclusive wars in early 1700s
French build Fort Duquesne in Ohio Valley
Land already promised to Virginia planters by governor
•In 1754, George Washington is sent to evict French
Fort Necessity, French counterattacked
•French and Indian War begins—4th war between Britain and France

4. Early French Victories
General Edward Braddock’s army ambushed near Fort Duquesne
Cowardice of British versus colonial militia
Washington: “the Virginia troops showed a good deal of bravery, and were near all killed…[but the British soldiers] broke and ran as sheep pursued by dogs and it was impossible to rally them.”
1755–1756, British lose repeated battles to French and native allies
Why?

5. Pitt and the Iroquois Turn the Tide
William Pitt helps British win battles
Borrows money to create well equipped army
Iroquois joins the British
•In 1759, British capture of Quebec at Plains of Abraham leads to victory in war
Treaty of Paris ends war (1763)
Britain gains new land
Allows Spain to keep land west of Mississippi
Victory Brings New Problems for American Indians
Ottawa leader Pontiac fears loss of land; captures British forts
• British use smallpox as weapon; Native Americans greatly weakened
• Proclamation of 1763—colonists cannot settle west of Appalachians