The French and Indian War (1754-63)

1. The French and Indian War (1754-63) The Final Colonial War

2. England vs. France • Both sought control of Europe + commercial supremacy • Colonial wars part of larger conflicts in Europe • Fought mainly at sea & in colonies • Ohio Valley - main area of conflict

3. Ohio Valley Claims • English, French, & Indians had competing land claims in lands west of Appalachians • VA formed Ohio Co. & speculated in land & fur trade • Competing w/ France for Indian fur trade • French built chain of forts to halt English expansion - extended into PA territory

4. French and Indian War • VA colonial militia under Col. George Washington sent to evict French forces (1754) • Built Fort Necessity near strategic French Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh) • Washington forced to abandon Necessity facing superior French troops (7/4/1754) • Indian support faded w/ loss

5. Albany Conference of 1754 • Delegates of 7 colonies met w/ Iroquois chiefs to discuss mutual defense • Plan of colonial union proposed by Franklin • A Grand Council would oversee defense, Indian relations, trade, taxation & westward expansion • Would have a royally appointed executive with veto power

6. Albany Plan cont. • 1st plan of Inter-Colonial Union • Albany Plan rejected by colonies & Parliament • England feared colonies would become too strong • Colonies refused to surrender control over own taxation • Even in face of real danger

7. Early British Failures • Braddock underestimated French & unfamiliar w/ wilderness warfare • 1755 - French & Indians ambushed Braddock’s force of British & Colonial soldiers near Ft. Duquesne • 900 incl. Braddock die vs. 23 French - Washington leads survivors home • 1756 - Montcalm (FR) invades NY

8. British Failures cont. • Most British regulars committed to European fighting • Bulk of early fighting done by colonial militia • Poorly coordinated - gave French & Indian allies an early advantage • Only early British victory was in Nova Scotia (1755) - expelled the Acadians

9. French Advantage • Anglo-Americans outnumbered French forces 20:1 but were ill-trained • Colonies resisted providing more troops • Most enlisted for short time • French well-trained & led • Fought hard • Canadians recruited in large numbers

10. The Tide Turns • 1757 - English Prime Minister William Pitt took control of fighting forces • Sent troops, able leaders & supplies • Greater support for war in England & colonies • Raised # of colonial troops by promising that England would pay for the war • 21K colonial troops in 1758

11. British Offensives • Led by British generals Jeffrey Amherst & James Wolfe • Amherst took Ft. Duquesne & Louisbourg in 1758 • Louisbourg guards entrance to St. Lawrence River • Drive French from northern NY & Lake Ontario region in 1759

12. British-American invasion of Canada • Turning point of the war • 1759 - Wolfe captured Quebec -Capital of New France & a military stronghold • Decisive battle of the war • Montcalm & Wolfe killed • 1760 - Montreal fell, effectively ending French resistance

13. Map 5.1: The Seven Year’s War in America

14. Treaty of Paris of 1763 • France cedes Canada to England • England gave French back the islands of Guadaloupe & Martinique + 1/2 of Hispanola • France gave Spain New Orleans & all land west of Miss. River • England kept Florida • Havana & Manila returned to Spain • England took India

15. Map 5.2: European Powers in North America 1763

16. Results and Consequences of the War For England: • England dominant in N. Am. • National debt in England doubled as a result of the war • Parliament looked to the colonies for additional money • Would begin to tax colonies for the purpose of raising $ • Wanted Americans to pay 1/3 of cost of their defense

17. Results & Consequences For the Colonies: • French threat removed • Colonists less dependent on England for defense • Valuable military experience for soldiers • Learned importance of unity & cooperation • Colonials resent change in economic & trade policy • English ideas, language, & institutions survive

18. Residual Friction • Colonists resented lack of credit given to militias • British officers complained about quality of militia men & lack of civilian support • e.g. supplying food & shelter • Colonist resented arrogance of British officers • British citizens resented higher taxes to pay for war • Pitt promised to cover cost

19. Residual Friction • Colonial expansion into west angered Indians • Some (e.g. Pontiac) led anti-British movements • Attacked frontier forts • Fighting cost England $ • Indians eventually make peace • Brit govt. issued Proclamation of 1763 to appease Indians

20. Proclamation of 1763 • England took control of western lands • Settlement, trade, etc • Goal - organize expansion • Recognized Indian claims west of proclamation line • Colonist thought they needed western land to prosper • Saw British troops who enforced Proc. Line as hindering needed expansion

21. Colonial Allegiance Tied To Events In England Stuart Restoration - 1660 English Civil War - 1642 Imperial Control Relative Colonial Autonomy Restoration Colonies Navigation Acts - 1660’s Dominion of New England 1686-89 Edmund Andros Colonial Resistance King William’s War - 1689-97 Queen Anne’s War - 1701-13 Glorious Revolution 1689 End of Dominion Protestant Monarchy King George’s War - 1744-48 Increased Colonial Satisfaction with & Reliance on England English Military Assistance in Colonial Wars