Guide to Lecture 9 (French & Indian War)
Series of Wars between English and French
1689—First of the wars over control of North America
Total of four wars, last the most important for American history
Global conflict between English and French
Superpowers of the 18th century
European phases have different names, such as Seven Years War
Lasted until final defeat of Napoleon in 1815
French and Indian War of 1756-63
Conflicting claims to the Ohio Valley
First French in Canada (Quebec from 1608)
Later Great Lakes (e.g. Detroit)
1682—La Salle down the Mississippi claimed river’s entire basin
(Louisiana)
1750—poised to enter the Ohio Valley
Royal Governor Robert Dinwiddie determined to stop them
1754—party of Virginians into transmontane to convergence of
Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, exclude the French from the
region
Young George Washington, Va. militia major, 200 soldiers
Found French at Fort Duquesne—attacked the greater force, killed
the French commander (horribly murdered by an Indian with the
Virginia militia) and about 12 French soldiers
Defeated in a driving rainstorm (militia muskets would not fire)—
signed a humiliating surrender
Brought about the French and Indian War
British regulars, redcoats, now entered the picture
General Edward Braddock with 2,500 to Duquesne
Ambushed July 9, 1755—slaughtered—1,000 casualties to about 60
Braddock’s Defeat
Different tactics needed to be used in frontier environment
Straight battle lines—single-shot smooth bore muskets (50-100
yards)
Bayonet to deliver the decisive blow to enemy
Indian auxiliaries used by both sides, French more successfully
Fur trade, cooperation by French
English, land-hungry
Iroquois (Mohawks, Seneca) pro-English, Huron proFrench
Different cultural standards by Indians—torture and murder
of captives
Official declaration of war against France in May 1756. Involved
almost every European nation
England, Prussia against France, Austria, Russia, Sweden, Poland
and Spain. Battles everywhere—North America, Europe, West
Indies, Africa, India and Pacific. Started in Ohio Valley, was a true
World War
String of English defeats, but finally a victory in Acadia (Nova Scotia) in
1755. Acadians deported, some to New Orleans (Cajuns).
William Pitt PM in 1756
Changed war strategy—emphasis overseas, not Europe
Promised Parliament would pay the bill for American troops (huge war
debt resulted).
Began winning battles.
1758—Duquesne (Pittsburgh)
1759—Quebec. General James Wolfe and the heights of Abraham
1760—Montreal
France losing on all fronts
Importance of French and Indian War
Treaty of Paris, 1763
French expelled from the North American mainland—Canada, all of
Louisiana east of Mississippi.
Spain—Louisiana west of Mississippi, including New Orleans
Spain gave Florida to English in exchange for Cuba.
Greatest outcome of the war: led directly to the American Revolution.
Why?
Colonial view of mother country changed—no longer need British for
protection, ready for more relaxed relation with mother country
Changed colonial view of themselves—cultural distinctiveness, selfconfidence—British could be defeated.
British view the colonies differently—new lands to administer, huge war
debt to be retired
French are left embittered, eager for revenge—chance during the
Revolution—1778 alliance with American rebels, bankrupted French—
new taxes set off French Revolution
Summary
Fourth and last of French/English wars 1756-63, also Seven Years War
Erupted over concerns with French claims in Ohio Valley—Canada, Great
Lakes, Mississippi, now Ohio Valley
Early defeats for British and young George Washington
1755--Braddock at Fort Duquesne
Different tactics needed
Indian auxiliaries used
1756—William Pitt changed English strategy—focus on America
English victories—Acadia 1755, Quebec 1759, Montreal 1760
Treaty of Paris, 1763—French out of North American mainland, Spain—
La. west of Mississippi, including New Orleans
Greatest outcome—led directly to American Revolution
Colonial view of England
Colonial view of selves
English view of colonies
French embitterment