The French and Indian War

(7 Years War)

V

War Between: France & Britain (Both with Native American Allies)Fight Over: The Ohio River Valley

Why did they both want

control of this land?

·Rivers = beaver pelts·very good farmland

Beginnings - Fort Necessity: George Washington was sent by the Ohio Company to build a fort for protection for the British farmers living in the Ohio River Valley. On his way to building the fort, Washington got word that the French had already built a fort there. The French fort was called Fort Duquesne.

Washington surprise attacked a scouting party and scattered them. Hearing that the French were planning a counterattack, Washington quickly mad his men build a stockade (high fence) for protection around themselves. He named it Fort Necessity. The French and Native Americans surrounded them and counterattacked. The British were outnumbered and forced to surrender.

Why is the battle at Fort Necessity

important?

It was the first battle of the French and Indian

War.

Preparations - Albany Congress: A meeting of the colonies after Fort NecessityTwo Purposes:1. To plan for the defense of the colonies.2. To try to gain Iroquois support.

Ben Franklin Proposes: The Albany Plan of UnionOne general government for all 13 colonies with the following rights/powers:1. Plan for the colonial defenses2. Make laws for all of the colonies3. Raise taxes

This plan was rejected by the colonies.

BRITISHFRENCH

Single government to make decisions Many Native American Allies

More forts

Much larger colonial population

Many coastal colonies; very strong navy

Strong Iroquois allies

Attachments