The French and Indian War British and French

The French and Indian War

British and French Rivalry • Aim: to understand the rivalry between Great Britain and France. Their rivalry led to a war for control over North America • Essential Question: Why did conflict arise in North American between Great Britain and France?

Hostility: • During the 1700 s: Britain and France were the two main leading powers in Europe. • Both countries competed for wealth and an empire in different parts of the world • Bitterness increased when the British had interest in acquiring the Ohio River Valley

1740 s: • The British tried to take over the Ohio River Valley. • The French attached them and drove the Br. Traders out of the Ohio territory. • French troops began to raid towns in Maine and NY • QUESTION: Maine and NY belong to which European country?

George Washington • During this time: he was a young military officer • Fought with British forces against the French • England France wanted to control lands west of the Appalachian Mountains

Native Americans take sides • The French and the British knew that assistance from Native Americans could help them win control over North America • France had the advantage over Britain because they had many Native American tribes as allies

Iroquois Confederacy • Most powerful group of Native Americans in the East. • Based in the NY area • Included 5 Native American nations (Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida) • This confederacy skillfully played on both countries- never allied with one • Mid 1700 s- under greater pressure from Br. To move into the Ohio Valley

American Colonists Take Action • Washington’s first command: Spring 1754 (he was lieutenant colonel) • He was sent to the Ohio Valley with a militia (a group of civilians trained to fight in emergencies)- 150 men • Washington arrived fought but was forced to surrender his troops to the French • Although he lost, colonists regarded him as a hero because he was bold enough to fight against the French.

• During the early states of this war- The colonists fought with very little help from Great Britain • 1756 - Britain officially declared war on France • 1758 - there was a wave of successful battles • 1759 - Britain had many victories and by September of the same year, France was defeated

The Treaty of Paris • 1763: France was forced to give parts of Canada and most of its lands east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain • The Treaty of Paris marked the end of French power in North America

The Proclamation of 1763 • To prevent more fighting, Great Britain called a halt to settlers’ westward expansion. • The British set up the Appalachian Mountains as a temporary boundary for the colonies • This angered those who owned land companies • This led to more conflict between British and the American colonies (especially with taxation and laws)