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US History
Fort Burrows
Crisis in the Colonies 1745 - 1775
5.1 -- The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War ( also known as the Seven Year’s War ) was only part of a much
larger struggle between France and Britain. The contest of the two European countries for economic
and political power spread to North America through their colonies and to the Native Americans,
which became allies to both countries. Today, too, conflicts that begin in one region can grow to
affect other areas of the world. The terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, is
an example of a regional conflict spreading to engulf the United States. The spread of regional
conflict makes clear the need for Americans to stay informed about events around the WORLD !!!!
Time Line:
1740s - 1st migration of settlers to cross Appalachian Mountains and
Began conflict with the Indians of the Ohio River Valley
1754 - Albany Congress proposes to unite all colonists; it is rejected by all
1756 - Seven Years’ War begins in Europe; France vs. Britain
1759 - British forces capture Quebec, the capital of New France
1763 - Treaty of Paris ends French power in North America
1765 - Parliament passes the STAMP ACT; sparking protest from the colonies
1770 - Boston Massacre kills 5;
Paul Revere writes about the attack and provokes anti-British outrage
1773 - British Parliament passes the TEA ACT
1775 - Lexington and Concord – fighting between British and Colonists begin
Main Idea:
Britain’s victory in the French and Indian War ( 7 Years Wars ) marked the end of the
French empire in North America.
Vocabulary:
French and Indian War – war between France and Britain that ended France’s power in
North America; both sides were aided by Indians
Albany Plan of Union – the attempt to create one general government for the 13 colonies;
proposed by Benjamin Franklin
Plains of Abraham – a field near Quebec on the St. Lawrence River;
site of a major British victory over the French
Treaty of Paris – 1763 Treaty that ended the French and Indian War
makeshift – put together quickly as a temporary substitute
surveyor – a person who determines the size, location, or boundaries of an area of land
skirmish – a short often unplanned battle between small groups or soldiers
popular sovereignty – ultimate power and final authority for a law, rest with the citizens’ votes
Republicanism – power to the people to exercise their power by delegating it to representatives
chosen by them through elections
federalism – power is divided between the central government, by the Constitution, and all other
powers go to state government
separation of powers – national governments’ power is divided among three separate branches
checks and balance – each branch of the government has controls (checks) over the other two
branches
limited government – government power is limited by the rule of law which is the Constitution
individual rights – personal freedoms, personal protections, and equality under the law
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Fort Burrows
Setting the Scene:
When Captain Daniel Joncaire sat down to dinner on December 4, 1753, he wasn’t expecting
company. The weather was cold, rainy, and miserable at the French fort near Lake Erie. To
Joncaire’s surprise, a tall young stranger strode into the room. He introduced himself as Major
George Washington. Washington had traveled several hundred miles from Virginia to deliver a
letter to the French.
Joncaire politely invited Washington to dine. As they ate, the captain boasted that France was
determined to control the Ohio River Valley. Washington reported:
“He told me, That it was their absolute Design to take possession of the
Ohio River, and by God they would do it.”
Joncaire’s remark made Washington pause. The letter he was carrying from Virginia’s
governor warned the French to get out of the Ohio River Valley!!! For years, tensions had been
building between France and England. At stake was more than control of the Ohio River Valley.
The two rivals wanted to drive each other out of North America. In the end, the issue was decided by
war. And Washington was the man who struck the first blow…
European Rivals in North America
 England, France, Spain and Netherlands competed for trade and colonies
 English colonies became caught up in the contest
 France was the biggest threat
 Built forts to protect land claims and keep English colonies from expanding west
 Conflict in the Ohio River Valley
 Traders were crossing Appalachian Mountains for furs and rich lands
 English settlers tried to take over the profitable French trade with Indians
 French determined to stop English from expanding westward
 Ohio River provided a vital link for France between lands in Canada and settlements along
the Mississippi River
¿¿ What human geographic features were central to the conflict between the French
and English in the Ohio Valley ? ______________________________________________________
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Physical Features (3) ? __________________________________________________________________
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 Native Americans Choose Sides
 Native Americans did not want to give up their Ohio Valley land to settlers
 “You and the French are like the two edges of a pair of shears. And we are the cloth which
is to be cut to pieces between them.”
 Native Americans decided the only way to protect their way of life was to take sides in
struggle
 Algonquins and Hurons became allies with French who did not destroy Indian lands as
trappers and traders
 Iroquois became allies with English who were enemies with Algonquins and Hurons
The French and Indian War Begins
 France and Britain fought over power three times between 1689-1748
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 In 1754, fighting broke out again
 Called French and Indian War because British were pitted against France and its Native
American allies (1756-1763)
 In Europe, the conflict involved many nations and called the Seven Year’s War
 In America, war centered on the Ohio River Valley (pg 142)
 First shot fired by George Washington’s soldiers
 A Bold Young Leader
 George Washington (GW), age 22, sent by governor of Virginia to build fort at Ohio River
 Led 150 men into Ohio country
 On the way, GW heard French completed Fort Duquesne at the same spot
 Conflict at Fort Necessity (GW 1st battle)
 GW launched a surprise attack and scattered French
 French counterattacked and GW threw up a makeshift stockade called Fort Necessity
 700 French and Indians surrounded fort and Virginians surrender
 British officials recognized the significance of Washington’s skirmish,
“The volley fired by this young Virginian in the forests of America has set the world in flames”
Fort Necessity
Site of the beginning of the French & Indian War. The fort was built by Lt. George Washington and
marked his only defeat. July 1754
The Albany Congress
 Delegates from 7 colonies met in Albany, NY to 1) cement the alliance with the Iroquois and 2)
plan a united colonial defense
 Benjamin Franklin from PA proposed the Albany Plan of Union to create “one general
government” for the 13 colonies
 Called for Grand Council (reps from each colony) to make laws, raise taxes and set-up defense of
the colonies
 All delegates approved the Plan of Union but NONE of the colonial assemblies approved it
 Colonies did not want to give up any power to a central council
“Everyone cries a union is necessary. But when they come to the manner and form of the
union, their weak noodles are perfectly distracted.”
Benjamin Franklin, 1755
¿¿ What was Franklin’s frame of reference when he proposed the Albany Plan of
Union ? ___________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________________
A String of British Defeats
 General Braddock led Britain and colonial troops in an attack against Fort Duquesne
 Braddock was stubborn, inexperienced fighting in forests of North America
 Disaster for Braddock
 French and Indian allies launched surprise attack; picked off Red Coats
 Braddock fatally wounded and ½ of British were killed or wounded
 Washington was nearly killed
 Further British Setbacks
 War continued badly for British for the next 2 years
 British attacks on French forts failed
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 French won important victories capturing Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario and Fort William
Henry on Lake George
 All defeats put a strain on the alliance with the Native Americans who counted on the
British to protect them from the French
The Tide of Battle Turns
 In 1757, William Pitt became head of British government
 His goal was to win the war in North America
 In 1758, General Amherst captured Louisbourg, most important French fort
 Captured Fort Duquesne, which was renamed Fort Pitt in honor of William Pitt
The Fall of New France
 In 1759, British pushed French from Fort Niagara, Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga –
Quebec, the capital, was next in line
 Battle for Quebec
 Quebec was vital to the defense of New France to supply their forts up the St. Lawrence
River
 Quebec sat on the Plains of Abraham, steep cliff above St. Lawrence River
 British General Wolfe led surprise attack and defeated French General Montcalm
 Both Generals died and Quebec was surrendered to the British
 Treaty of Paris
 Fighting continued for several more years
 In 1763, Britain and France signed the Treaty of Paris which brought the long conflict to an
end
 Treaty marked the end of the French power in North America
 Britain gained Canada and all French lands east of Mississippi except New Orleans
 Spain, who helped France, gave up Florida to Britain but controlled the vital port city of
New Orleans
 Spain still controlled its empire in Central and South America
¿¿ Look at Maps on page 139, and then page 144.
How do you think the change in power caused by the Treaty of Paris affected the
colonists ? ____________________________________________________________________________
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1.
How did the rivalry between Britain and France lead to war in North America ?
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2.
How did the lack of unity and mistakes lead to the British defeat early in the war ?
1. ________________________________________________________________________________
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2. ________________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________________
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3. What turned the tide of war to Britain’s favor ?
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4. How did British troops bring the fall of New France ?
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