The French and Indian War: Conflict and Consequences

1. Since the first permanent settlement at Jamestown in 1607, the British colonies continued to grow and expand westward, eventually coming into contact with existing French colonies.

2. English colonists bought 500,000 acres of land in the Ohio Valley to farm. This hurt the French colonial fur trade and brought conflict between the English and French in the Ohio River Valley.

3. In 1754, war between France and Britain began over land disputes in the Ohio Valley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iup8xOR-nUw

4. The Albany Plan For years, the colonies had existed separately. As the war broke out, there was a call for unity among the colonists • 1754: Albany Congress – organized by the British, led by Benjamin Franklin ~ 1st attempt at colonial unity ~ only 7 of 13 colonies there. • Purpose: Bolster defense against France through colonial unity • Franklin sponsored plan for colonial home rule, unanimously adopted by delegates • Colonies rejected: not enough independence • London rejected: too much independence • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmMosYyqYDk

5. The War Ends in 1763- the British are Victorious Why the British won: A different global strategy. William Pitt put money and resources in the colonial conflicts, while the French focused more on the wars they were fighting in Europe. 2. Collaboration with colonial authorities: General William Pitt gave local authorities control over supplies and recruitment, paying them for their help, while the French struggled to get manpower and supplies. The French were however better at recruiting the Indians to fight with them. 3. A better navy. Because the British navy controlled most of the harbors, France could not easily send reinforcements or supplies to the colonies. 4. Larger numbers and better resources. In the end, it all came down to the fact that the British outnumbered the French, and even though the French did very well with guerilla tactics, it was the major battles that mattered, killing French soldiers that were not easily replaceable. 

6. 1763  Treaty of Paris Peace treaty at the end of the French and Indian War. France --> lost her Canadian possessions, most of her empire in India, and claims to lands east of the Mississippi River. Spain -->got all French lands west of the Mississippi River, New Orleans, but lost Florida to England. England -->got all French lands in Canada, exclusive rights to Caribbean slave trade, and commercial dominance in India.

7. North America: Before and After BACK TO LESSON European Claims in North America, 1754 and 1763 Back to Maps

8. Effects of the War on Britain? 1. It increased her colonial empire in the Americas. Salutary Neglect= Colonies could remain politically independent as long as Britain had almost complete economic control 2. It greatly enlarged England’s debt. 3. Britain’s contempt for the colonials created bitter feelings. Britain shifted from its policy of salutary neglect to a more active role in colonial affairs beginning with the Proclamation of 1763 Therefore, England felt that amajor reorganization of her American Empire was necessary!

9. Effects of the War on the American Colonials 1. It united them against a common enemy for the first time. 2. It created a socializing experience for all the colonials who participated. 3. It created bitter feelings towards the British that would only intensify.

10. What if the French had won the French and Indian War? Give 3 examples of how this may have changed the course of history.