The French and Indian War

1. The French and Indian War

2. Before The War (Mid 1700’s) Power struggles between European countries became worldwide struggles for empires. Britain: 13 colonies and northern Canada France: New France and Louisiana - From St. Lawrence River west to Great Lakes Great Lakes & south to Gulf of Mexico Spain: New Spain, Florida, & west of Rockies

4. Conflict Conflict over The Ohio River Valley English: Traders pushing west French: Linked Canadian lands with Mississippi settlements

5. Native Americans Chose Sides They thought it was the only way to protect their culture.

6. Native Americans Choose Sides • Why France? • Most French were • traders who did • not destroy • hunting grounds. • Many French trappers • had married Native • American women. • Strong alliances • already established. • Why England? • Because of Native American enemies siding with France • (Like Iroquois)

7. Fighting Breaks Out (1754) Named The French and Indian War because it pitted England against France and its Native American allies. Center of dispute: The Ohio River Valley Perspective? English

8. George Washington’s Role 22 years old Assignment: Build a fort where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers met Ohio river.

9. George Washington’s Role To his surprise: The French had just built Fort Duquesne at the same location. Attacked French scouts

10. Fort Necessity Makeshift English fort surrendered to French.

11. Albany Congress (1754) Delegates from 7 colonies gathered in Albany, NY Franklin’s “Albany Plan of Union” Create “one general government” for 13 colonies • Create a “Grand Council” made up of • Representatives from each colony. • Would make laws. • Would raise taxes. • Would set up defense of colonies. Albany Congress accepted Franklin’s Albany Plan but colonial assemblies did not. Why? They did not want to give up their power to a central council.

12. British Defeats (1755-1757) General Braddock and his army (which included Washington) defeated by surprise attack while trying to invade Fort Duquesne. Why? Were slow, noisy, and ignored warnings from Washington and Native Americans. More British defeats: Lost forts at Lake Ontario and Lake George

13. The Tide Turns (1757) 1757: William Pitt became new head of British government. • His first priority is to win the war in North America. • Britain’s best generals are sent. • Large payments made to colonists for military service • and supplies. Louisburg is captured: Most important fort in French Canada. Fort Duquesne is captured & renamed Fort Pitt (will (become Pittsburgh)

14. Fall of New France (1759) • 1759: Pitt sends General James Wolf to capture Quebec • The capital of New France. • Without Quebec, the French could not supply other • forts up the St. Lawrence River. • Plan: Climb steep cliff because it is poorly guarded. • 4,000 British troops assembled on Plains of Abraham.

15. Fall of New France (1759) Both Wolf (British general) and Montcalm (French general) died. September 18, 1759: Quebec surrendered to the British.

16. The Treaty of Paris • 1763: Britain and France sign The Treaty of Paris. • Marked the end of French power in North America. • Britain received: Canada and French lands east of • the Mississippi River. • Florida from Spain. • Spain received: French lands west of Mississippi • River and New Orleans.