Chapter 4Section 1

The French and Indian War

North America in 1750

French and English CollideThe “French and Indian War”, the colonial part of the “Seven Years War” that ravaged Europe from 1756 to 1763, was the bloodiest American war in the 1700’s. It took more lives than the American Revolution, involved people on three continents, including the Caribbean.

England and France were at war.Some French

people began moving to the American colonies from Canada.

England did not want to lose the colonies to the French, so the English asked the colonists to help them fight against the French. The French asked some American Indians to help them fight against England and the colonists.

British French Fort Necessity Fort Duquesne

(Pitt) * George Washington * Delaware & Shawnee

Indians

The Ohio Valley

1754 The First Clash

1754 The First Clash

What is now considered the “French and Indian War” (though at the time the war was undeclared), began in 1753, when a young Virginian, Major George Washington, headed out into the Ohio region to deliver a message to a French Captain demanding that French troops leave the territory. The demand was rejected by the French.

War is formally declared in May 1756.

The French and their Native American allies won many important victories. The British troops and colonial militia tended to fight in the open and in straight lines, as was common in Europe. The French and Native Americans used the element of surprise and hid behind rocks and trees.

Ben Franklin main delegate 1st proposal to unify colonies

representatives from New England, NY, MD, PA

1754 Albany Plan of Union

1754 Albany Plan of Union

Two Goals:1. strengthen ties with the Iroquois League2. unify war effort in northern colonies

Result of Albany Plan Iroquois broke off relations with Britain & threatened to trade with the French.

The colonists rejected Franklin’s plan, but it later provided a model for the United States government.

British

• March in formation or bayonet charge.• Br. officers wanted to take charge of colonials.

• Prima Donna Br. officers with servants & tea settings.

• Drills & tough discipline.

• Colonists should pay for their own defense.

• Indian-style guerilla tactics.• Col. militias served under own captains.• No mil. deference or protocols observed.• Resistance to rising taxes.• Casual, non-professionals.

Methods ofFighting:MilitaryOrganization:MilitaryDiscipline:

Finances:

Demeanor:

British-American Colonial Tensions

British-American Colonial Tensions

Colonials

Believed that the entire British Empire was at stake. Pitt persuaded Parliament to raise taxes and borrow money to fight the war. In 1758, better-prepared and better-led British troops began to overwhelm the French and Native American forces.

1757 William Pitt Becomes Foreign

Minister

1757 William Pitt Becomes Foreign

Minister

1758-1761 The Tide Turns for England

1758-1761 The Tide Turns for England

* By 1761, Sp. has become an ally of Fr.

Battle of Quebec

In spring of 1759, the British began a campaign to invade New France and capture Quebec. British General Wolfe laid siege to the city. Trapped and without access to supplies, the enemy is starved into surrender. The British successfully won Quebec, and then Montreal, giving them control over all of New France.

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.

1763 Treaty of Paris

1763 Treaty of Paris

North America in 1763

North America in 1763

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. This war was very costly to England. The British decided to tax the Colonists to pay for the war!

Effects of the War

on Colonies?

1. It increased her colonial empire in the Americas.2. It greatly enlarged England’s debt.3. Britain’s contempt for the colonials created bitter feelings.

Therefore, England felt that amajor reorganization of her

American Empire was necessary!

Effects of the War on Britain?

Effects of the War on Britain?