The French and Indian War

1. The French and Indian War 1754-1763

2. Scramble for Territory • Rivalry among European Nations for Control of N. America began early • English built settlements along eastern seacoast during 1600s • French explored farther inland, claimed territory to the Rocky Mtns • Conflict erupted due to overlapping claims

3. 1650

4. 1750 Boundaries of Colonial Expansion

5. War Begins • In 1754, English colonists of Virginia attempted to take a French Fort (Fort Duquesne) at the forks of the Ohio River • Led by a young Major George Washington • Thus began the French and Indian War • French and Indian allies fought against the British and American Colonists

8. Colonies Unify to Fight a Common Enemy • June, 1754, delegates from several English colonies met in Albany, N.Y. • Attempted to work out unified war effort in northern colonies • Ben Franklin, a Pennsylvania delegate, offered a plan for permanent union of the colonies • Albany Plan of Union • Grand council of delegates from each colony • Ultimately rejected, but served as model for the later govt. of the U.S.

9. British Turn the Tide of War • War initially goes poorly for British • 1758, French retreat into New France • Iroquois decide that French cause is hopeless, shift sides • 1759, British invade New France and capture Quebec

11. Treaty of Paris - 1763 • Ended the French and Indian War • France gave New France East of Mississippi River to Britain • France gave New France West of Mississippi River to Spain • British returned Cuba in exchange for Florida

12. Despite Victory, Relations are Strained • British thought colonists did not provide enough support • War was long and costly • Britain had fought to protect them • Colonists shocked by the weakness of British military tactics • British would not allow colonial officers to lead their troops • French no longer held territory west of the Appalachians

13. Tensions with Native Americans • After war, increased interest in Great Lakes region and Ohio River valley • Alarmed natives rebelled in 1763 (Pontiac’s Rebellion) • To help restore peace, George III issued Proclamation of 1763 • Closed area west of Appalachians • Placed under control of British military

16. Sugar Act • Britain acquired huge debts during war • Sugar Act 1764 – marked start of a new British policy designed to raise $ • Parliament issued new rules to enforce the act • Smuggling cases tried in Britain • By a judge, not a jury • Judges received commissions on illegal cargoes and fines

17. Quartering Act • 1765, colonies required to provide housing and supplies for the British troops who remained • Some complained, but most went along with it

18. Stamp Act Crisis • Stamp Act (March, 1765) – tax on newspapers, legal documents, most printed materials • Official govt. stamp had to appear on these materials to show tax was paid • 1st tax that was clearly intended to raise $w// no regulation of trade

20. Stamp Act Crisis • In October, delegates from 9 colonies met as Stamp Act Congress • Main organizer was James Otis • “No taxation w/out representation” • Sent petitions/letters to King/Parliament • Merchants boycotted British goods • British merchants angered • Groups (Sons/Daughters of Liberty) • No one to sell stamps in America • 1766-Parliament repealed Stamp Act