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1750s: Both the French & English Claim the Ohio River Valley:

French → “Connected French Settlements in Canada to the Mississippi!”

British → “Part of the Colony of Virginia & Pennsylvania!”

1753: 22 year-old George Washington sent to warn French that they are trespassing; French say "No... YOU are trespassing!"

Events Leading to the French & Indian War!

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1754: G.W. returns to Ohio country with 150 militia to build a fort & finds Fort Duquesne already built by the French; defeats small # of French

1754: G.W. builds Fort Necessity but becomes surrounded by 600 French troops, & has to surrender (French win 1st battle of War)

1754: The French & Indian War Begins!

One Day Later…

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Ft. Necessity

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While George Washington was in the Ohio country, representatives from New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland meet to discuss the threat of war.

Benjamin Franklin suggests the Albany Plan of Union – called for “one general government” for 11 of the American Colonies. Not a single colonial assembly approved the plan.

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The French and Indian War

Native Americans – some fought on the British side, but most fought with the French

Fall of 1754 – Great Britain appointed General Edward Braddock to lead the British forces in America and drive the French out of the Ohio River Valley.

Braddock leads 1,400 British militia and a small number of colonial militia toward Fort Duquesne. They were attacked along the way – Braddock was killed as well as nearly 1,000 others.

Britain Declares War on France – Seven Years’ War (in Europe)

William Pitt becomes secretary of state and then prime minister in Britain – picked skilled commanders and things turned around for the colonies

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British capture: the fortress at Louisbourg, Fort Frontenac, Fort Duquesne.

British also capture several French islands in the West Indies and the city of Havana in Cuba.

Quebec (capital of New France) – attacked the fort at night by way of a poorly guarded path. They surprised and defeated the French Army. James Wolfe died in the battle.

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The Treaty of Paris of 1763 :

  1. England received all land from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River and Canada.
  2. France gave up all of its territory in North America.
  3. Since Spain helped France, England took Florida from them.
  4. Spain gains New Orleans and land west of the Mississippi River.

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Proclamation of 1763:

KING GEORGE III SAID COLONISTS CAN NOT GO PAST THIS LINE!

ION – Proclamation of 1763

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1. France no longer owned any land in the New World.

2. England decided that they needed to tax the

colonists to pay for the war.

  1. England also decided that they needed to prevent Colonists from moving West (Proclamation of 1763)
  1. More British troops are sent to the colonies to keep

an eye on the Colonists!