Transcript French and Indian War 1754-1763 preceded by

Unit 2: Chapters 6-9
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Topics
 1. French and Indian War
 2. American Revolution
 3. Declaration of Independence
 4. Articles of Confederation
 5. Constitution of 1787 and Bill of Rights
French and Indian War
1754-1763
preceded by King William’s, Queen Anne’s, King
George’s (Jenkins Ear with Spanish)
Causes / Background
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Territorial conflict in the Ohio Valley between French
and British colonists
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The French wanted to connect Canada / Detroit, with
Louisiana, New Orleans
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The British didn’t want to be hemmed in to the East
Coast – wanted to be able to expand West
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Also, world wide conflict between Britain and France (7
Years War) spilled over into North America (French and
Indian War)
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Albany Congress, 1754:
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the British govt. persuaded the colonies to meet to
discuss the approaching war – to discuss unified,
combined efforts
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7 Colonies sent delegates to Albany - Penn, Maryland,
N.Y. and the 4 New Eng colonies (4 in New Eng
Confederation: 7 unwillingly in the Dominion): Main
goals were to:
– renew the treaty with the Iroquois - to keep them on the
British side
– organize collective defensive efforts
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But they also began discussing the
formation of some kind of
permanent colonial federation
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In his Albany Plan, Franklin
proposed that they set up, "one
general government" for all the
colonies, each of which would
"retain its present constitution"
except for certain powers to be
granted to the general government
- such as the authority to govern
all relations with the Indians
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The delegates voted in favor, but
then had to bring the proposal
back to the Colonial Assemblies
for approval
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Before going to Albany, Ben Franklin
had promoted the idea in the
Pennsylvania Gazette (1754) with a
cartoon of a snake divided into 13 parts,
each piece representing a colony - "Join
or Die” (used later during the Am Rev
in 1776 to also promote unity)
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But the colonies were too apprehensive
of giving up any of their cherished
individual powers: rejected the Plan
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British govt. also rejected the Plan –
felt permanent unity would give the
colonies too much power /
independence (to the Colonies it
reduced their individual power, to
the British it increased collective
colonial power)
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French and Indian War (lasted the best part of 9,
rather than 7 yrs)
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Phase 1
British losses at Fort Necessity (Washington).
British colonies get little assistance from British govt.
Losses by inept British Gen. Braddock
Gains for French and Indians
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Phase 2.
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From 1756: French and British Government took more
interest in North America
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1757, Prime Minister William Pitt took charge of
managing the War (the "Organizer of Victory") – his
main goal was to capture French Canada - Quebec and
Montreal – failed
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He also felt that the Colonies did not contribute enough
to the war efforts, so he introduced
– Impressment (forced enlistment / draft)
– Requisitioning (mandatory food supply)
– Quartering
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Colonists resented these policies / outside interference
in their colonies – felt their rights as Englishmen were
being threatened – led to riots….near Civil War….Pitt’s
policies were counter-productive
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Phase 3
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After 1758 Pitt stopped his unpopular policies
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Colonies responded with a more intense effort
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British sent more troops, more competent generals – led
to more success
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Some dishonorable acts included dispersing population of
Acadia (Nova Scotia) and offering Scalp Bounties
(“dishonorable”)
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British focused on capture of French Canada: succeeded
in taking Louisburg, Duquesne, Quebec (Amherst and
Wolfe), and finally Montreal…led to French surrender
and end of war
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Peace of Paris, 1763 (don’t confuse with Treaty of Paris
of 1783)
– French gave British some of West Indies, India, all of
Canada, all French territory east of the Mississippi:
– New Orleans and lands west of the Mississippi went
to Spain (reward for help against Britain)
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Thus France surrendered all title to the mainland of
North America – end of French empire
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More important, the War altered the relationship
between Britain and the colonies
Altered Relationship / new perspective of Britain
towards Colonies
 British
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1. Had more territory to control and defend in Nth Am
 2. Had a huge debt from financing the war
 3. Resented the attitude of the Colonists during most of
the war; felt they
– Didn’t contribute much financially
– Fought badly – guerilla warfare
– Many merchants continued to trade with the French /
French West Indies: “Treasonable trade”
– Complained about their rights as Englishmen but
accepted none of the responsibilities
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these factors combined to persuade British leaders that
a reorganization of the empire was needed, giving
Britain increased authority over the colonies
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New King, George III (1760), and his Prime Minister,
Grenville would try to introduce new policies: New
Imperialism – more control, less neglect….end
salutary neglect
Altered Perspective / changed Relationship of Colonies
towards Britain (and each other)
 Colonies
 1. Saw the value of co-operation with each other –were
more receptive to the idea – and realized how much
they had in common (language, traditions)
 2. More sensitive than ever to violations of their Civil
Rights and Liberties
 3. Realized that the British soldiers were somewhat
incompetent - “shattered / ended the myth of British
Invincibility” – also resented their arrogance, denying
Colonists rank above Captain
 4. Felt that they were now free to move West; no longer
needed British to defend them – the French and Indian
threat was gone… “a new spirit of independence arose”
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The French and Indian War had profound effects on the
relationship between the British Govt. and the British
Colonies
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Each perceived themselves and the other side
differently after the war was over
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Each had different goals now that it was over: Britain
wanted more control, Colonies wanted more
independence……….this clash was one of the main
causes of the American Revolution