US History
Fort Burrows
Crisis in the Colonies 1745 - 1775
5.1 -- The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War ( also known as the Seven Year’s War ) was only part of a much larger struggle between France and Britain. The contest of the two European countries for economic and political power spread to North America through their colonies and to the Native Americans, which became allies to both countries. Today, too, conflicts that begin in one region can grow to affect other areas of the world. The terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, is an example of a regional conflict spreading to engulf the United States. The spread of regional conflict makes clear the need for Americans to stay informed about events around the WORLD !!!!
Time Line:
1740s - 1st migration of settlers to cross Appalachian Mountains and
Began conflict with the Indians of the Ohio River Valley
1754 - Albany Congress proposes to unite all colonists; it is rejected by all
1756 - Seven Years’ War begins in Europe; France vs. Britain
1759 - British forces capture Quebec, the capital of New France
1763 - Treaty of Paris ends French power in North America
1765 - Parliament passes the STAMP ACT; sparking protest from the colonies
1770 - Boston Massacre kills 5;
Paul Revere writes about the attack and provokes anti-British outrage
1773 - British Parliament passes the TEA ACT
1775 - Lexington and Concord – fighting between British and Colonists begin
Main Idea:
Britain’s victory in the French and Indian War ( 7 Years Wars ) marked the end of the French empire in North America.
Vocabulary:
French andIndian War – war between France and Britain that ended France’s power in
North America; both sides were aided by Indians
Albany Plan of Union – the attempt to create one general government for the 13 colonies;
proposed by Benjamin Franklin
Plains of Abraham – a field near Quebec on the St. Lawrence River;
site of amajor British victory over the French
Treaty of Paris – 1763 Treaty that ended the French and Indian War
makeshift – put together quickly as a temporary substitute
surveyor – a person who determines the size, location, or boundaries of an area of land
skirmish – a short often unplanned battle between small groups or soldiers
popular sovereignty – ultimate power and final authority for a law, rest with the citizens’ votes
Republicanism – power to the people to exercise their power by delegating it to representatives
chosen by them through elections
federalism – power is divided between the central government, by the Constitution, and all other
powers go to state government
separation of powers – national governments’ power is divided among three separate branches
checks and balance – each branch of the government has controls (checks) over the other two branches
limited government – government power is limited by the rule of law which is the Constitution
individual rights – personal freedoms, personal protections, and equality under the law
Setting the Scene:
When Captain Daniel Joncaire sat down to dinner on December 4, 1753, he wasn’t expecting company. The weather was cold, rainy, and miserable at the French fort near Lake Erie. To Joncaire’s surprise, a tall young stranger strode into the room. He introduced himself as Major George Washington. Washington had traveled several hundred miles from Virginia to deliver a letter to the French.
Joncaire politely invited Washington to dine. As they ate, the captain boasted that France was determined to control the Ohio River Valley. Washington reported:
“He told me, That it was their absolute Design to take possession of the
Ohio River, and by God they would do it.”
Joncaire’s remark made Washington pause. The letter he was carrying from Virginia’s governor warned the French to get out of the Ohio River Valley!!! For years, tensions had been building between France and England. At stake was more than control of the Ohio River Valley. The two rivals wanted to drive each other out of North America. In the end, the issue was decided by war. And Washington was the man who struck the first blow…
European Rivals in North America
England, France, Spain and Netherlands competed for trade and colonies
English colonies became caught up in the contest
France was the biggest threat
Built forts to protect land claims and keep English colonies from expanding west
Conflict in the Ohio River Valley
Traders were crossing Appalachian Mountains for furs and rich lands
English settlers tried to take over the profitable French trade with Indians
French determined to stop English from expanding westward
Ohio River provided a vital link for France between lands in Canada and settlements along the Mississippi River
¿¿ What human geographic features were central to the conflict between the French
and English in the Ohio Valley ? ______
______
______
Physical Features (3) ? ______
______
______
Native Americans Choose Sides
Native Americans did not want to give up their Ohio Valley land to settlers
“You and the French are like the two edges of a pair of shears. And we are the cloth which is to be cut to pieces between them.”
Native Americans decided the only way to protect their way of life was to take sides in struggle
Algonquins and Hurons became allies with French who did not destroy Indian lands as trappers and traders
Iroquois became allies with English who were enemies with Algonquins andHurons
The French and Indian War Begins
France and Britain fought over power three times between 1689-1748
In 1754, fighting broke out again
Called French and Indian War because British were pitted against France and its Native American allies (1756-1763)
In Europe, the conflict involved many nations and called the Seven Year’s War
In America, war centered on the Ohio River Valley (pg 142)
First shot fired by George Washington’s soldiers
A Bold Young Leader
George Washington (GW), age 22, sent by governor of Virginia to build fort at Ohio River
Led 150 men into Ohio country
On the way, GW heard French completed Fort Duquesne at the same spot
Conflict at Fort Necessity (GW 1st battle)
GW launched a surprise attack and scattered French
French counterattacked and GW threw up a makeshift stockade called Fort Necessity
700 French and Indians surrounded fort and Virginians surrender
British officials recognized the significance of Washington’s skirmish,
“The volley fired by this young Virginian in the forests of America has set the world inflames”
Fort Necessity
Site of the beginning of the French & Indian War. The fort was built by Lt. George Washington and marked his only defeat. July 1754
The Albany Congress
Delegates from 7 colonies met in Albany, NY to 1) cement the alliance with the Iroquois and 2) plan a united colonial defense
Benjamin Franklin from PA proposed the Albany Plan of Union to create “one general government” for the 13 colonies
Called for Grand Council (reps from each colony) to make laws, raise taxes and set-up defense of the colonies
All delegates approved the Plan of Union but NONE of the colonial assemblies approved it
Colonies did not want to give up any power to a central council
“Everyone cries a union is necessary. But when they come to the manner and form of the union, their weak noodles are perfectly distracted.” Benjamin Franklin, 1755
¿¿ What was Franklin’s frame of reference when he proposed the Albany Plan of
Union ? ______
______
______
A String of British Defeats
General Braddock led Britain and colonial troops in an attack against Fort Duquesne
Braddock was stubborn, inexperienced fighting in forests of North America
Disaster for Braddock
French and Indian allies launched surprise attack; picked off Red Coats
Braddock fatally wounded and ½ of British were killed or wounded
Washington was nearly killed
Further British Setbacks
War continued badly for British for the next 2 years
British attacks on French forts failed
French won important victories capturing Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario and Fort William Henry on Lake George
All defeats put a strain on the alliance with the Native Americans who counted on the British to protect them from the French
The Tide of Battle Turns
In 1757, William Pitt became head of British government
His goal was to win the war in North America
In 1758, General Amherst captured Louisbourg, most important French fort
Captured Fort Duquesne, which was renamed Fort Pitt in honor of William Pitt
The Fall of New France
In 1759, British pushed French from Fort Niagara, Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga – Quebec, the capital, was next in line
Battle for Quebec
Quebec was vital to the defense of New France to supply their forts up the St. Lawrence River
Quebec sat on the Plains of Abraham, steep cliff above St. Lawrence River
British General Wolfe led surprise attack and defeated French General Montcalm
Both Generals died and Quebec was surrendered to the British
Treaty of Paris
Fighting continued for several more years
In 1763, Britain and France signed the Treaty of Paris which brought the long conflict to an end
Treaty marked the end of the French power in North America
Britain gained Canada and all French lands east of Mississippi except New Orleans
Spain, who helped France, gave up Florida to Britain but controlled the vital port city of New Orleans
Spain still controlled its empire in Central and South America
¿¿ Look at Maps on page 139, and then page 144.
How do you think the change in power caused by the Treaty of Paris affected the
colonists ? ______
______
- How did the rivalry between Britain and France lead to war in North America ?
______
- How did the lack of unity and mistakes lead to the British defeat early in the war ?
- ______
- ______
______
3. What turned the tide of war to Britain’s favor ?
______
4. How did British troops bring the fall of New France ?
______.
1 of 5.1 Printer Copy July 2016