The French and Indian War French Settlements While

The French and Indian War

French Settlements While the English (British) settled in Jamestown, the French setup their first settlement along the Mississippi Valley and what is now Canada. The settlement was known as Quebec. The French were interested in getting rich off of fur trades.

Making Friends The French made friends with the Native Americans to trade furs. They traded glass beads, knives, blankets, and other items for the fur that the Native Americans had. The fur was worth a lot of money in Europe.

Differences Between the Colonies The French could not farm, so they did not want to take the land from the Native Americans. The King of France did not give the French colonist the same rights as the British had. The people who went to the New France settlement were expected to follow the kings rules. The king was interested in fur trade. Most who traveled to New France (including Kentucky) were single men with no families. Lived with the Indians while traveling.

French & British Become Enemies France claimed the land along the Mississippi Valley and Ohio Rivers. (This included Kentucky) The British started moving away from the 13 colonies, west of the Appalachian Mountains which was the land that France had claimed. They started cutting down trees and clearing land to build houses. This angered the French because the animals lived in the forest, and they needed the animals around to gather the fur. They setup forts along the Ohio River to show their claim.

Enemies The French began talking to the Indians about their problems. They told the Indians that they were their friends and the British were their enemies. Many Native Americans agreed to fight with the French to protect their hunting grounds. The Native Americans began attacking the British settlements while they were asleep. They would burn the cabins and kill most of the men.

Comprehension Check Directions: With your talking partners, answer the following questions: What was the name given to France’s territory in America? The French were aided by whom in their war against the British? Why were the French against British’s westward movement in the New World?

The French & Indian War The French and Indian War lasted from 1754 -1763. The war decided who would be the most powerful country in North America. The governor of Virginia decided that the French had no business on their land needed to move. He sent a brave man to deliver the message to Fort Le Boeuf. George Washington crossed the mountains to deliver the message to the French colonist.

George Washington The French told George Washington that they claimed the land first and weren’t leaving. George Washington traveled back to Virginia to tell the governor. The governor decided to setup an army using the British colonist. George Washington became an officer of the Virginia army. He led his soldiers in the first battle of the war. The French defeated them because they weren’t trained to fight.

Help Arrives The British King sent British soldiers over to help the colonist fight. The British soldiers wore bright red uniforms and were prepared to fight like they did in Europe. They refused to hide and stood out in the open to fight for that was the rules in Europe. The Native Americans and the French hid in the bushes and aimed fire. The British, once their commander was killed, ran and hid. The British had lost the battle yet again.

Comprehension Check Directions: With your talking partners answer the following questions. What would the French and Indian War decide? To what fort did British soldiers go to tell the French to leave? What Virginia colonist took command led the first battle of the French and Indian War?

Victory as Last The French army continued to win battles after that. Finally the British King (King of England) sent another army to the colonies. The British began to take away the French forts in the Ohio Valley. However the British did not want the French to strengthen themselves and come back fighting. They knew that if they let them stay in the Canada area that this would happen.

Attacking Quebec The British scaled the huge cliff that protected Quebec from outside forces during the night. The French were surprised by the attack. Though they fought, they eventually had to surrender and the British claimed Quebec as well. The British won the war!

Importance of the War It showed that the British were more important in North America. It gave them experience in fighting which they would need for the American Revolution. George Washington became a great hero to the people of the 13 colonies. Soon they would begin to think of him as their leader. More colonist began moving into the Ohio Valley. American now had more room to grow.

Questions Directions: Answer the questions using your notes. Work alone and turn in when you are finished. What did France call its land in the New World? What was the first settlement in New France? What did France build to strengthen their claims in New France? Did the Indians help the British or the French during the French and Indian War?

Questions When was the French and Indian War fought? To what French fort did George Washington take a message from the governor of Virginia? Why did the British almost lose the war? Who won the French and Indian War? What were the important results of the French and Indian War?