The French and Indian War

1. The French and Indian War The war leads to growing tensions between Great Britain and its colonies

2. France and Britain: Rivals for an Empire • France’s North American Empire • • France claims St. Lawrence River region, Mississippi Valley • •1754, French colony of New France has small population • Fur traders, Catholic priest missionaries • • French have good relations, military alliances with natives

3. The War Begins • •French and Indian War begins—4th war between Britain and France • France and Britain fight two inconclusive wars in early 1700s • French build Fort Duquesne in Ohio Valley • Land already promised to Virginia planters by governor • •In 1754, George Washington is sent to evict French • Fort Necessity, French counterattacked

4. Early French Victories • General Edward Braddock’s army ambushed near Fort Duquesne • Cowardice of British versus colonial militia • Washington: “the Virginia troops showed a good deal of bravery, and were near all killed…[but the British soldiers] broke and ran as sheep pursued by dogs and it was impossible to rally them.” • 1755–1756, British lose repeated battles to French and native allies • Why?

5. Pitt and the Iroquois Turn the Tide • Victory Brings New Problems for American Indians • Ottawa leader Pontiac fears loss of land; captures British forts • • British use smallpox as weapon; Native Americans greatly weakened • • Proclamation of 1763—colonists cannot settle west of Appalachians • William Pitt helps British win battles • Borrows money to create well equipped army • Iroquois joins the British • •In 1759, British capture of Quebec at Plains of Abraham leads to victory in war • Treaty of Paris ends war (1763) • Britain gains new land • Allows Spain to keep land west of Mississippi