French French Exploration Exploration

of the Americasof the Americas

French MotivesFrench Motives• The French came to America for the The French came to America for the

fur tradefur trade• France was the France was the fashion fashion capital of the capital of the

worldworld• The French were not interested in The French were not interested in

riches or land, they just wanted to be riches or land, they just wanted to be business partnersbusiness partners with the Native with the Native AmericasAmericas

• Many Indians became Many Indians became alliesallies with the with the FrenchFrench

French Exploration French Exploration of the Americasof the Americas

•The French explored areas The French explored areas rich in rich in animal peltsanimal pelts since since they were here to further they were here to further their their fur tradefur trade•They settled in present They settled in present day day LouisianaLouisiana, the , the Great Great LakesLakes, and , and CanadaCanada

European Settlement & Indian Tribes, 1750

The Seven Years The Seven Years WarWar•In 1754, the British and the In 1754, the British and the

French began the French began the Seven Seven Years WarYears War to determine who to determine who would rule in North Americawould rule in North America•The The French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War was part of this longer war was part of this longer war and actually took place on and actually took place on the North American the North American continentcontinent

The French and The French and Indian WarIndian War

•The French formed The French formed military military alliancesalliances with many Native with many Native American tribes, due to their American tribes, due to their friendly trade relationsfriendly trade relations

•They utilized They utilized guerilla-type warfareguerilla-type warfare•After nine years of fighting, the After nine years of fighting, the

British won all land east of the British won all land east of the Mississippi RiverMississippi River

Effects of the WarEffects of the War•The French loss was also The French loss was also

considered a Native American lossconsidered a Native American loss•Many tribes were punished for Many tribes were punished for

siding with the Frenchsiding with the French•Ottawa chief, Pontiac, was given Ottawa chief, Pontiac, was given

small pox infected blankets by the small pox infected blankets by the British for having captured eight British for having captured eight British forts during the warBritish forts during the war