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The French and Indian War altered the course of history in North America, reshaping the relationships between American colonies and Britain. This conflict, spanning decades from King William's War to the Treaty of Paris, saw pivotal battles and shifting alliances involving native tribes, French forces, and British troops. Explore the strategic importance of Fort Duquesne, the leadership of General Braddock and General Wolfe, and the lasting impact of the war on both sides. Discover how the conflict influenced colonial unity, British policies, and the emergence of a new era in American history.
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The French and Indian War Another Step in the Duel for North America
THESIS: • The French and Indian War was the major turning point in American colonial relations with the mother country Britain.
Background: King William’s War 1689-1697 • British fought the French and Indian Allies • Indian raids against Deerfield and Schenectady • British gained Port Royal but returned it in peace negotiations • British failed to conquer Quebec King William III of England
Background: Queen Anne’s War 1702-1713 • British fought against France, Spain and Native Americans • English failed to take Montreal and Quebec • Peace of Utrecht: England gained Acadia, Newfoundland, and trade rights in Spanish America Queen Anne of England
Background: The War of Jenkins Ear and King George’s War • English versus the French and Spanish • New Englanders under Mass. governor William Shirely invaded New France and captured Louisbourg- an important seaway fort • Louisbourg was given back to France in the 1748 Treaty King George II of England
The Iroquois: Pawns in the Game of Empire • They held the strategic position between New France and the British colonies • British tended to be more arrogant toward natives and French constructed military alliances with Indians to hold off British expansion • British goods were better, cheaper and more available due to British naval control
The War Begins: Fort Duquesne • Fort Duquesne was built to stem British expansion into the Ohio River Valley • Virginia governor Robert Dinwiddie sent Washington to evict the French • Washington attacked an advance patrol, reinforcements and natives counterattack and defeat him at Fort Necessity Model of Fort Duquesne
General Braddock • British sent large numbers of troops to the colonies, displaced the Acadians from Nova Scotia • With 2200 men, Braddock set out to avenge Washington’s defeat General Braddock
Braddock Defeated • Braddock was ambushed by Native Americans and French, suffering 1000 casualties • Washington directed the retreat and revived his military career
Impact of Braddock’s defeat • Native American on the frontier were emboldened • French and Natives go on the offensive but French general Montcalm began alienating the Indians • French eventually “write off” Canada after poor harvests and numerical inferiority • French eventually destroy Duquense and flee, the British rebuild it as Fort Pitt 1758
Prime Minister William Pitt • By changing generals and strategy: (focus on capturing strongholds: Quebec, Montreal, Louisbourg, not all of New France) he was the “organizer of victory” • 1758 General Amherst captured Louisbourg William Pitt
Battle for Quebec 1759 • General Wolfe scaled the cliffs outside the city to reach the Plains of Abraham • Montcalm comes out of the fort for the first conventional battle in the New World • Both generals die as a result of the Battle, and Quebec falls to the British
The End of the War • In a three pronged attack, the British attack and defeat Montreal 1760 • 1762: Spain joins the war, hoping to limit the gains of the British, they too are defeated • 1763: Treaty of Paris • France gave Louisiana to Spain • Spain gave Florida to British • West Indies colonies were returned to original colonizers
Indian Rebellions • Cherokee on the N.Carolina frontier • Great Lakes and Ohio Valley forts were captured by Indians (except Detroit, Niagara, and Pitt) • Pontiac was blamed for “organizing” the native revolts. Most acted in their own interest
Paradoxical Victory • British helped train the “enemy”: Colonists that would eventually lead and fight in the Continental army (colonists lost some confidence in the British military too) • Pontiac’s rebellion and the Proclamation Line created tension between Britain and colonists • Large military presence in America concerned the colonists: What was the real purpose? • Costliness of the war led England to reconsider policy of salutary neglect, lax enforcement of Navigation Laws
More Paradoxes • The “Attitude” problem: British were arrogant toward colonials, some colonies traded with France and had to be bribed to fight • Growing strength of population and economy made the colonists more politically assertive • Colonies gain a sense of unity- they felt they were the “cutting edge” of the empire • Removal of the French “threat” gave colonists the chance to pursue more independent policies
Symbols and Images • Reflections of colonial efforts • French: Coureur de bois and jesuit priests • Spanish Conquistador • English Puritan or Virginia planter • Pontiac, Hurons, Iroquois- pawns • Washington- symbol of the double role of American and British subject (colonists were frustrated by “2nd class” role/status • French and Indian War: A Cause of the Revolution??
