The Forrest Ran Red Notes
Reasons for Tensions between French and English
-England wanted the Ohio River Valley for more land to settle.
-France wanted the Ohio River Valley for the fur trade and alliances with Native
American trade partners
-Native Americans saw the Ohio River Valley as home and wanted the English and
French to leave them alone.
Jumonville’s Death
-Jumonville was a French diplomat(peacemaker)
-Half-King(Seneca chief) talked Washington into attacking French and Jumonville
-Half-King killed Jumonville who was wounded laying on the ground.
-Washington was responsible for Jumonville’s death because he was unable to control
Half-King and his Indian allies.
Attack on Fort Necessity
-Washington built fort in the”Great Meadows” out of Necessity.
-Waited for supplies from English in the area.
-Fort was surrounded by forest.
-French led by Jumonville’s brother along with Indian allies attacked the fort from behind
trees.
-Washington’s fort flooded with rain making his gunpowder useless.
-He was surrounded with no chance of escape.
Surrender Papers
-French offered Washington a chance to surrender at Fort Necessity
-Washington’s best translator was wounded, so he sent a Dutchmen who knew very little
French.
-Not knowing what the surrender documents said, Washington signed a confession that
he had assassinated Jumonville, the French peacemaker.
Inexperience of George Washington
-Many mistakes: building a fort in the surrounded by woods.
- being taken advantage of by Half-King.
-signing a surrender not knowing what it actually said. Having someone negotiate who
didn’t know French very well.
International Conflict Between Colonial Powers
-King George II had to send in British troops to clean up Washington’s mess.
-General Braddock was not very nice to the Native American’s who offered to
help the British fight the French.
-Many Native Americans joined the French to fight against the British.
-This rivalry over furs and land led to the French and Indian War which lasted for
7 years.