The French and Indian War

Lesson 1

Why a Conflict?

►Both Great Britain and France fought for control of eastern North America

►Great Britain and France were enemies for hundreds of years

►They primarily fought over the Ohio River Valley, which flowed for 1000 miles

Native Americans

►Many Native Americans lived along the Ohio River

►Native Americans had been trading furs for guns and other goods from the French

►Britain wanted to trade with the Native’s as well for the right to farm the land around the Ohio River

George Washington

►George Washington was a young officer sent by the Governor of Virginia in 1754 to lead an army into the Ohio River Valley.

►Met by a large French army who defeated Washington’s army.

►Britain became angry and sent a large army to the New World to begin a war with France.

Choosing Sides

►This war was called the French and Indian War because many Native’s chose to side with the French and fight on their behalf.

►The Native’s were called allies to the French.

►Allies are people or groups who join together for a common goal.

Benjamin Franklin’s Plan

►Benjamin Franklin wanted to unite the colonies, so he held a meeting in New York in 1754 (Albany Congress).

►He believed the colonies could fight better if united.

►Franklin believed the colonies should have their own government, but also a larger one that could help settle disputes.

William Pitt

►Britain was losing the French & Indian war until William Pitt became the leader of Britain’s Parliament (government).

►Pitt sent many ships from Britain to the New World stocked with supplies and men to fight and win this war.

►By 1763, France was ready to surrender.

The Treaty of Paris

►This document outlined the land that Britain owned. British soldiers remained in the Ohio River Valley after the war.

►The Natives wanted the British to leave, and began a rebellion, led by Chief Pontiac.

►Britain defeated the Natives within a year.

A Proclamation of 1763

►A proclamation is an official PUBLIC statement.

►Britain made a proclamation recognizing the Native’s rights to the land west of the Appalachian Mountains.

►This proclamation upset the colonists’ ►They no longer wanted the British soldiers

living among them or felt that they needed their protection.

Colonists Speak Out

►Resentment grew since the colonists’ wanted to farm the land near the Ohio River Valley.

►Colonists were also angry that the proclamation stated they couldn’t move westward onto new land.

►Colonists began to work together to oppose the decisions of their British government.