The French and Indian War North America 1754

The French and Indian War

North America 1754 Class Activity Use the map provided to identify the extent of the Spanish, French, & British colonial control in North America by 1750

North America 1754 Key Preview Questions 1. Which nation on the map had the “best” colonies? Why? 2. Based on the map, what problems might arise among the European powers? 3. How should these nations work out their differences?

By 1750, Britain & France had become serious rivals because: Both nations used mercantilism to expand their colonial claims in order to increase their wealth Britain & France went to war 3 times in Europe from 1690 -1750 These wars in Europe meant that their colonists would fight too

During the 1700 s, both the British & French colonies were growing Land disputes along the Ohio River Valley led to the French & Indian War

The growth of the British & French colonies impacted Indians too: The French increased their alliances with Native Americans along the Ohio River Valley The spread of British colonists into the backcountry & across the Appalachian Mountains led to numerous Indian conflicts

Indians grew increasingly concerned about British colonists filling into the backcountry New settlement

In 1754, colonists from across the British colonies met at the Albany Congress to discuss the common problem of Indian attacks Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union for a coordinated colonial army The plan was not approved The colonists lacked the unity to solve a common problem

Ben Franklin’s “Albany Plan of Union” America’s 1 st political cartoon

Turning Point: 1754 In 1754, VA governor sent 22 year old George Washington to protect an Ohio Company claim Washington’s troops were forced to retreat from Fort Duquesne; This clash proved to be the beginning of the French & Indian War

The French and Indian War (1754 -1763) Britain & the North American colonists vs France, their colonists, & Indian allies

The war started in North America (1754 -1763), but became part of a larger, “world” war called the Seven Years War (1756 -1763) due to competition among empires

Battle Scene of the French and Indian War

The French and Indian War (1754 -1763) Britain was losing during the early years of the war The colonists saw this war as another European conflict & did not help fight or raise taxes as much as England expected But, in 1757, British Prime Minister William Pitt issued a “blank check” to win the war

The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 France Spainlost England got. Canada, all lands gained most west allofof French itsthe empire Mississippi landsinin. India, Canada River, & & claims New exclusive to. Orleans, lands rights east butofto lost the Florida Mississippi Caribbean to England River slave trade North America 1754 North America 1763

North America 1763 Closure Activity Use the map provided to identify the areas under Spanish, French, & British control after the French & Indian War (by 1763)

North America 1763 Key Review Questions 1. How did winning the French & Indian War set up Britain as the dominant economic power in the world? 2. What effect might this victory have on British mercantilism? 3. How might this war impact the British colonists? Indians?

How was 1763 a “turning point” in American history? Situational Role Play Activity

Situation #1 According to the Treaty of Paris in 1763 that ended the French & Indian War, the French have no more colonies in North America (except Haiti in the Caribbean)

Situation #2 After the end of the French & Indian War, Parliament decided to leave the British army in North America

Situation #3 The costs of winning the French & Indian War left the British Empire in severe debt that it now must pay off: British national debt, 1755: £ 74. 6 million British national debt, 1764: £ 129. 6 million

North America 1763 The French & Indian War changed the relationship between Britain & the American colonists Colonists were excited about the possibility of new land in the west now that the French were gone Colonists learned new guerilla fighting tactics from the Indians

William Pitt’s “blank check” led to huge war debts Parliament expected colonists to help pay off these debts More decisions would now be made by British Parliament

North America 1763 Other problems strained the relationship between Britain & the colonists after the war: The expensive British army was not removed from America The Ottawa Indians, led by Chief Pontiac, attacked frontier settlers who flooded into the Ohio Valley

Britain had to spend more money Pontiac’s Rebellion, 1763 defending colonists in the frontier

Proclamation of 1763 After Pontiac’s Rebellion, the British Parliament created the Proclamation Line of 1763 Forbade colonists from moving across the Appalachian Mountains Colonists were mad because this limited their ability to gain new land Colonists were mad that this decision was made by Parliament & not in colonial assemblies

The French & Indian War brought an end to salutary neglect & began parliamentary sovereignty English officials “Parliament assumed has thatthe authority must to rule” Parliament have ultimate authority over ALL laws & taxes The British began governing their colonies more strictly

The end of salutary neglect New taxes & laws were passed without asking colonial assemblies As Britain assumed more control, the colonists tried to hang onto the power of their colonial assemblies This shift would prove to be the beginning of the long road towards colonial independence

Closure Activity ■ In groups, summarize the following: –As a result of the French & Indian War, how have things changed? Why was the war such a “turning point”? –From the British gov’t perspective, why are these changes necessary? –From the colonial perspective, why are these changes difficult to handle?

How was 1763 a “turning point” in the British-colonial relationship?

Perceptions of the War ■ Colonial views: views –Colonies could be very strong when they worked together –Newly gained frontier presented opportunities for wealth & land –Colonists learned how to fight ■ English views: views –Americans were slow to organize & balked at helping raise money even to protect their own lands

British-American Tensions Fighting Methods Colonials Indian-style guerilla attacks British Marching in formation British officers in Military Militias led charge of Organization by captains colonials Finances Colonists should Resistant to help pay for their rising taxes own defense

Effects of the War on Britain? ■ The war increased England’s colonial empire in North America ■ But, the Pitt’s “blank check” greatly enlarged England’s debt ■ Britain’s contempt for the colonials created bitter feelings ■ As a result, English leaders felt that a major reorganization of its American empire was necessary!

Effects of the War on Americans? ■ The 1760 s were an affluent & optimistic “post-war” period: –The French & Indian War united the colonists against a common enemy for the 1 st time –Most colonists considered themselves proud members of England’s empire with little (if any) thought of independence

Eroding Bonds of the Empire

Parliamentary Sovereignty ■ In 1760, George III became king & began a new colonial attitude: Parliamentary Sovereignty –English officials assumed that Parliament must have ultimate authority over ALL laws & taxes –The colonists tried to reserve the colonial authority for their own legislatures

“No Taxation Without Representation” ■ The colonists assumed that their assemblies were quasi-equal Parliament represents ALL British to citizens no matter wherethey live Parliament because had no Parliamentary representatives ■ British officials countered with “virtual representation” representation argument ■ The colonists insisted that only their colonial assemblies could tax Americans

Two Theories of Representation ■ What was the extent of Parliament’s authority over the colonies? Absolute? OR Limited? ■ How could the colonies accept the decisions of Parliament when they did not have representation in that governmental body?

Eroding the Bonds of Empire ■ After the Seven Years War, everyone expected George to remove British army from America (French were no longer a threat) ■ But…this large, expensive army was not removed –British citizens were not happy because they had to pay for it –Colonists doubted the army’s ability to defend against Indians

Pontiac’s War ■ Backcountry natives banded together to repel white frontier settlers during Pontiac’s War: War –Indian successes exposed the English army’s colonistsweakness flooded across the British Appalachian Mountains: –“There’s Attacksall revealed desperation of this land & no French!!” Native Americans after the withdrawal of their French allies –Colonials took matters into their own hands (Paxton Boys in PA)

Pontiac’s Rebellion, 1763 Fort Detroit ■ Chief Pontiac led the Ottawa & other tribes against colonists due to: – The flood of colonists into Ohio Country – British “gifts” of smallpox-infected blankets from Fort Pitt

Retaliatory attacks by frontier colonists (like the Paxton Boys in Pennsylvania) were common

The Proclamation of 1763 ■ In response to Pontiac’s War, the British government established the Proclamation Line of 1763: 1763 –This law forbade colonists from settling across the Appalachian Mountains (for their own protection) –Americans viewed the line as an obstruction to their “legitimate economic development”

North America in 1763

New Political Ideas All gov’ts are susceptible to corruption, ■ The introduction of Parliamentary tyranny, & intrusion upon citizens’ liberty sovereignty contradicted England’s “Virtuous” citizens must fight tyranny original policy of salutary neglect –The influx of new political ideas of the European Enlightenment began to impact colonial thought (especially those of John Locke) –While no colonists were thinking of independence by 1763, many became committed to “natural rights” & opposed to “tyranny”

Conclusions: Rule Britannia?

Rule Britannia? ■ Despite the mounting tensions between the English government & American colonists by 1763, most Americans were loyal “brothers” to England due of: –a shared British culture –dependence upon British consumer goods –shared nationalism after British military victories against France

Crash Course #5