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U.S. History I
The French and Indian War
Background
Rivals for an Empire
In the early part of the eighteenth century (1700s), France and England, both imperial powers,
battled to build and expand their colonial empires. Newly discovered lands in North America were
very appealing to both countries. Both England and France sent explorers to the continent to claim
land for their governments. This resulted in a conflict that would last about eight years. The French,
interested in exploiting North America for its rich natural resources, gained control of the St. Lawrence
River area in the eastern region of the continent, the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River Basin and part
of Canada, including Quebec. In addition, they peacefully interacted with Natives and developed
strong alliances. The English, more interested in settling the new lands, stayed on the East Coast and
colonies began to develop. Their holdings came to include lands from New Hampshire in the North, to
Georgia in the South.
Tensions Increase
The expanding French and British Empires collided in the Ohio River Valley in 1752. The
French had previously built Fort Duquesne, on the banks of the Ohio River, for protection and to hold
their position in the new world. Ignoring this claim, Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of
Virginia, granted 200,000 acres of land on the Ohio River to wealthy landowning colonists. By 1754,
it appeared that the French and British could not co-exist peacefully. Virginia sent Colonel George
Washington and a small group of soldiers to drive the French out of the Valley. Washington and his
men proved greatly outnumbered by French forces and were forced to surrender at Fort Necessity.
This was the first engagement of the yet undeclared French & Indian War, and it left the French in
command of the entire region west of the Allegheny Mountains. Despite the military activity taking
place in the colonies, it wasn't until 1756 that war was officially declared between the French and
British.
French and Indian War Begins
The French, allied with Native Americans, were extremely successful in the early years of war
using an ambush style of fighting. This caught British troops, accustomed to formal straight row
military techniques, off guard. In addition, the supposedly invincible British army was suffering from
the cowardice of many newly recruited soldiers. Washington, surprised by the lack of confidence in
his men, recorded in a letter, “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.” It was clear to the British that a different plan was necessary. British officials and
representatives from seven of the thirteen colonies, meet in Albany, New York, led by Benjamin
Franklin, to strategize. The purpose of the Albany Congress was to discuss Native American relations
and a common defense; however no inter-colonial plan was adopted. Finally in 1758, an alliance
between the British and the strong Iroquois Nation was formed. In addition, England’s King George II
appointed William Pitt to led militia in the new world. These changes proved to be a turning point in
the war. General James Wolfe’s surprise attack on the French in Quebec finally brought an end and
British victory to the war.
Treaty of Paris
On February 10, 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed between the two warring nations. Great
Britain gained Canada and all land east of the Mississippi River, excluding the port of New Orleans,
from France. They also gained the territory of Florida, held by France’s ally, Spain. France kept
control of a few islands near Newfoundland and the West Indies.
Results of Native Americans
Once defeated, the alliance and relations between France and the Natives begins to deteriorate.
In addition, the Natives resented the movement of English settlers west of the Appalachians to the
Mississippi River Valley. The Ottawa leader, Pontiac, felt encroached upon and feared the survival of
the Native American way of life. He launched an attack on the British and captured eight forts in the
Appalachian region. During negotiations with Pontiac, British officers gave Native Americans
blankets infected with small pox as a sort of revenge for their losses. This crippled and almost led to
the extinction of the Native American population in North America. Pontiac’s and other Native
rebellions last until about 1764, when peace finally reigned in the colonies.
Results for Colonists and England
The British Government issued a Proclamation in 1763 banning all settlement west of the
Appalachian Mountains. This established an imaginary line separating the colonists and the Native
population. To enforce this, King George II stationed 10,000 British troops in the colonies at a cost of
400,000 pounds annually. As a result, England’s national debt, already doubled from the war with
France from 72 million to 132 million pounds, continued to grow. Thus, the bricks were laid for
another tumultuous period in the thirteen colonies, the American Revolution.
Directions: Respond to the following questions in complete sentences in the homework section of
your notebook.
1. In your opinion, what were the benefits of England fighting in the French and Indian War?
Were there any drawbacks?
2. In your opinion, what were the benefits of England’s victory in the colonies? Were there any
drawbacks?
3. Imagine you were colonists, would England’s victory in the French and Indian War strengthen,
weaken or have no impact on your allegiance to England. Fully explain.
4. Read pg.23-24 in Ordinary Americans. Respond to the passage. Including your reaction to the
reading and the significance of the passage.