The French and Indian War

Land of Contention

• Ohio Valley becomes the bone of contention in the New World between the British and the French: Why?

• The French want it so that they can link the land that they hold in Canada with the land that they hold in the lower Mississippi region

• English want to stop French land grabbing and fur trading (want economic security and supremacy)

Landscape before the warDiscuss with a partner:

• What country do you think has the majority of the land in North America (including Canada) at this time?

• If you were a influential member of the British or the French government would you feel intimidated by this picture? Why?

Inauguration of War• 1749 English land speculators secure “rights” to

about 500,000 acres of land in the region• The French were simultaneously building forts in

the same region• 1754 Gov. of Virginia sends Washington and 150

VA militiamen to take the land• British kill the French leader• French return with reinforcements to surround

Washington and his troops• Forced to surrender at Fort Necessity- allowed to

march away

7 Years War• Conflict in North America between Britain

and France kicks off what becomes known as the 7 Years War (1754-1763)

• This war involved fighting on all of the major continents including North America, Europe, The West Indies, Philippines, Africa, and on the oceans

• In Europe: Britain and Prussia vs. France, Spain, Austria, and Russia

Think and Discuss

• Where do you expect most of these powers to have their military forces focused?

• Do you think that this has an influence on the fighting in North America?

• Who can you predict that both sides will turn to for support?

Intercolonial Congress

• 1754 the British government summons an intercolonial congress to NY- only 7 delegates show up at the meeting: CT, MD, MA, NH, NY, PA, RI

• Point of the meeting was to achieve greater colonial unity and to bolster a common defense against the French

Ben Franklin

• Acts as the leading spirit at the Albany Conference

• Published his famous political cartoon “Join or Die” in the Philadelphia Gazette

• Developed the Albany Plan of Union to create a unified colonial government

• This document served as the main debate between delegates at the Albany Congress

Results of the Intercolonial Congress

• Disagreed upon by individual colonies• Felt limited independence• British officials felt it gave too much

independence• Contributed to growing tensions between

British and the colonies