Lesson 2.02 Handout: The French & Indian War
Causes of the War: Great Britain and France competed over land in the Ohio River Valley used for fur trading and fishing.
Major Events of the French & Indian War
1754—Fort Necessity, Pennsylvania : The British sent George Washington with a militia to build Fort Necessity on the site of present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When they arrived, they found that the French were already constructing a fort nearby. The French called this post Fort Duquesne. Washington attacked the French but was outnumbered and captured. He was soon released to return to Virginia.
1754— Albany, New York: Members from four colonies met to discuss ways to work together to defend themselves from the French. They thought of ways to persuade the Iroquois Indians to form an alliance against the French. Representatives also adopted Benjamin Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union. This plan called for a single elected government for all of the American colonies. The plan failed after all of the colonies chose not to adopt it.
1755—Path from Alexandria, Virginia, to Fort Duquesne, Pennsylvania: In 1755, British General Edward Braddock set out from Virginia with 1,400 red-coated troops to confront the French at Fort Duquesne. George Washington served as his guide. Washington warned the British general against using the formal fighting style, which was common in Europe at the time. Braddock ignored the advice, and his troops were ambushed. The bright red uniforms and rows of soldiers made the British easy targets for Native American and French sharpshooters. Braddock and more than 1,000 of his men attempted to retreat but were killed in battle. Washington survived and led the remaining troops back to Virginia. Britain declared war on France.
1759—Quebec: Britain also attacked the French capital of Quebec, in Canada. Due to its location on a cliff, Quebec was thought to be impossible to attack. The British snuck up a path and climbed the hill during the night. The British troops gathered on the Plains of Abraham outside the French fortress, where they surprised and defeated the French. The victory at Quebec and the capture of Montreal the following year led to the end of fighting.
Outcome of the French & Indian War
The British won the French & Indian War. In the Treaty of Paris, the British gainedthe Ohio River Valley and land in Canada. The lands that were divided in the Treaty of Paris were still home to many Native Americans.
Although the British won the war, they found themselves deeply in depth. Britain passed a series of unpopular taxes to help pay for the French & Indian War. These taxes upset the colonists and set the stage for the American Revolution.
Proclamation of 1763: West of the Appalachian Mountains closed to colonial settlement
Writs of Assistance: Searches without warrants
Sugar Act of 1764: No taxation without representation and no jury trials
Stamp Act of 1765: Colonial boycotts and Stamp Act Congress
Declaratory Acts of 1766: Britain claims right to tax the colonies in any situation
Townshend Acts of 1767: Goods indirectly taxed, and colonial boycotts resume
The colonists protested and boycotted (refused to buy)British goods to show they were unhappy. The colonists were willing to pay taxes, however they wanted to be represented in Parliament. Many of the Acts passed by Parliament were repealed only to be followed by another .