The French and Indian War (Seven Year’s War)

The French and Indian War(Seven Year’s War) Chapter 4, Section 1

Causes of War • Rivalry between British and French for claims in North America • British build settlements along eastern sea coast, cleared land for farming and towns • French explored further inland and claimed a vast region from Appalachian Mountains to Rocky Mountains, established forts to protect interest and had better relations with Native Americans • Beginning in 1600’s Britain and France were often at war with each other in Europe and their colonists would fight in America • Britain and France both had claims to the Ohio River Valley • The spark: George Washington and his men build Fort Neccessity in the Ohio River Valley, the French quickly surround the fort and British are forced to surrender.

Area of Dispute: Ohio River Valley • Native Americans had lived in this region for a very long time. In the 1750s from 3,000 to 4,000 Native Americans lived here. • French and the British claimed this region. • French claimed the region because it was an important link between French land in Canada and Louisiana. • British claimed the region because it offered an area for growth and trade.

Strengthening Ties • The American colonists meet in Albany, New York to draw up a plan of unifying the colonies’ war efforts and to strengthen ties with the Iroquois League • The Albany Plan of Union called for a grand council of delegates from each colony elected by legislatures and council President appointed by the King • Colonies reject Albany Plan of Union because they were unwilling to surrender that much control and power to a central authority

Early British Defeats • British lose many battles at first despite the French being outnumbered • Natives tended to ally themselves with the French • French won early control of the Ohio River Valley because they used guerilla tactics • British soldiers had been trained to fight in straight lines and this was no match for the guerilla tactics that the French and the Natives used

British win the War • William Pitt becomes Prime Minister (highest Parliamentary Official) in Britain. Fearing that Britain could lose its empire, he raised taxes and borrowed huge sums of money to help fight the war • The increase in money paid off as better-prepared and better-led British troops began to overwhelm the French and Indian forces • More victories put the French on the defensive. • The Iroquois switch sides to the British as they determined that the French could not win the war. They begin actively aiding the British forces. • The British capture the capital of New France, Quebec after using a siege tactic (a war tactic used when enemy forces are trapped in their position and starved into surrendering).

The Treaty of Paris • Formally ends the war in 1763. • France, Britain and Spain (France’s ally) were present • France turns over all claims to land east of the Mississippi River • Spain controls city of New Orleans • British return Cuba to Spain in return for Florida

Changing Opinions • Relations between British and Americans were strained after the French and Indian War • British thought the colonists did not provide enough support for the long and costly war that was fought to protect them • Americans were shocked at how weak the British military was and wanted to be led by colonial officers • Many colonists lost respect for British military power • Many colonists also began to believe that the British did not share the same values as Americans or treated with respect • Americans believed they should be allowed to expand westward (west of Appalachians) without the help of the British

The French and Indian War (Seven Year’s War)