Download Chapter 4: THE EMPIRE IN TRANSITION DQ: To what extent was

Chapter 4: THE EMPIRE IN TRANSITION
DQ: To what extent was economics the main cause of the French and Indian War?
I. Trade Relations Cause Tensions Between French and English
A. Fur Trade
o French pursue trade by advancing into land  Tensions
between English and French
o Natives traded with both sides French and English fighting
for dominance
II. Land Disputes Create Conflict
A. Ohio Valley
o Iroquois grant trading concessions to England merchants
o French fear English concessions = first step towards expansion in French territory
French built forts
o French claimed Ohio valley while several Indian
tribes already lived there
o English expansion = conflict
o English saw French forts = threat to their western
settlements  Made their own military
preparations/fortresses
B. George Washington
o Virginian governor sends militia to Ohio Valley to
challenge French expansion
o Unsuccessful attack on French detachment French countered with assault on Fort
Necessity = Marked beginning of French and Indian War
III. Conflicts in Europe Carry Over to New World
A. Rulers of England
o King of England after Glorious Revolution = King William III=
Enemy of Louis XIV
o William long opposed French expansionism
o Queen Anne takes throne 1702
o Struggle against France and ally, Spain, continue
B. Anglo-French Wars
o King William’s War (1689-1697) produce clashes between
English/French in New England
o Queen Anne’s War (1701-1713) create border fighting
o In south = Spaniards
o In north = French and Indian
Conclusion: Between the years 1754-1763, economic conflicts as well as conflicts in Europe resulted in the
French and Indian War. Through competitive trade, the Iroquois pitted the English against the French.
Land disputes between the two nations also increased tension. On the other hand, European tension led
to conflicts that carried over to the New World. While economics were a major cause in the French and
Indian War, disagreements between European royals also contributed to the war.