5-1 Trouble on the Frontier
Competing Empires
France & Britain controlled large areas of N America
Each feared the other and sought to increase territory
By 1740s, British settlers pushing into Ohio River Valley (controlled by
French)
French Indian War Begins
Governor of VA sent soldiers to order French to leave Ohio River Valley
21 year old George Washington is leader of militia
Militia
Force made up of civilians trained as soldiers but not part of regular
army
Washington finds French at Fort Duquesne
Washington builds smaller fort- Fort Necessity
French army defeats Washington and sends back the message that they
will never give up
New Albany Congress
Meeting of colonial leaders in Albany, NY
Britain wanted colonies to agree to defend themselves
Invited the Iroquois tribes
Iroquois refuse to make an alliance---expected French to win
Franklin drew up Albany Plan---Council of representatives elected by
colonial assembly. Have authority over Western settlements, organize
armies and collect taxes to pay expenses.
Colonial assemblies Reject plan
Early British Defeats
General Edward Braddock to VA to capture fort Duquesne
Colonel George Washington Joined as a volunteer
Disaster at Fort Duquesne
Braddock did not respect colonial soldiers
Troops ambushed by French and Natives
Half of Braddock’s men killed or wounded—Braddock among the dead.
More British Defeats
British defeats may have strengthened Iroquois leaders’ resolve not to
ally with Britain
May, 1756---Britain declares war with France---official start to 7 Years
War
French troops led by Gen. Montcalm
British Turn the Tide
William Pitt becomes PM and chooses James Wolf to be Britain’s top
General
Britain’s first major victory at for Louisbourg.
Then Fort Duquesne---Named it for Pitt- modern day Pitsburgh
Iroquois side with British due to victories
British attack Quebec---both Wolf and Montcalm killed in battle
1763 Britain and France signed Treaty of Paris.
OUTCOME
France ceded Canada
Britain gains territory east of Mississippi (except New Orleans)
Britain receives Florida from Spain
New Orleans and territory west of Mississippi goes to Spain