The French and
Indian War
SS8H3a. Explain the immediate and long-term causes of the
American Revolution and their impact on Georgia; include
the French and Indian War (i.e., Seven Years War)…
Prelude
• The French and Indian War was the result of disputes between
France and Great Britain that had been going on for almost 65
years.
• The causes of the 9 year war that began in 1754 were:
• GREED – the desire to have the most land in the New World and
control the treasures of the territory.
• FEAR – that one country would gain more power than the other.
• With the exception of population differences in America,
France and Great Britain were well matched.
British – French Comparison
Great Britain
• Navy was the most
powerful in the world
• Strong alliance with the
6 tribes of the Iroquois
Confederacy.
• Settlers squabbled
among themselves
France
• Stronger Army
• Trading partners with
many of the western
tribes
• Settlers got along
• More experienced
military leadership
Disputed territory
• Tension between the
countries increased
because both claimed
the area of the Ohio
River Valley.
• This frontier region
was huge, about
200,000 square miles
(about the size of
France).
• British traders had
formed agreements
with tribes that had
previously traded only
with France.
Timeline
• 1753 – Virginia's governor sent a young George Washington to
warn the French that the Ohio River Valley did not belong to
them and to stop building forts there. Those demands were
ignored.
• 1754 – Governor Dinwiddie again sent Washington to the
French with a message; this time he did not go alone.
• Led 150 Virginia militia troops to Fort Duquesne (near present
day Pittsburgh).
• Set up a crude, round stockade of wooden stakes, which they
name Fort Necessity.
• A scout reported about 30 French soldiers in a nearby camp, so
Washington’s men attacked killing 10 and forcing the rest to
surrender.
• A short time later the French attacked Fort Necessity.
Timeline
• July 3, 1754 – severely outnumbered and having lost about
one-third of his troops, Washington had no choice but to
surrender to the French.
• The war had begun. It soon spread to Europe, where it was
known as the Seven Years’ War.
• 1754 – 1757 – The firs few years of the war in America
consisted of a series of disappointing losses for the British and
their colonies. As the war progressed, Great Britain continued
to suffer losses both in the colonies and on the continent of
Europe.
• 1757 – William Pitt was put in charge of the war effort. He
used the strength of the British navy.
Timeline
• 1759 & 1760 – Great Britain captured the key French Canadian
cities of Quebec and Montreal, respectively.
• 1760 – Washington again led troops to Fort Duquesne; this
time he was victorious. The frontier was made safe and came
under British control.
• 1763 – The Treaty of Paris is signed which formally ends the
war in North America.
• Georgia did not take part in the war, but it was helped by it.
• The Treaty of Paris set Georgia’s western border at the Mississippi
River.
Results of the French and Indian War
• The British gained control of Canada
• The Frontier – the Ohio Valley and all lands east of the
Mississippi River – opened for settlement by the other
colonies
• Great Britain obtained Florida from Spain, which had been a
ally of the French during the war
• France gave the Louisiana Territory to Spain for its help during
the war
• After 150 years of colonization, France lost all of its land in the
area
Results of the French and Indian War
• Perhaps most importantly, the French and Indian War led to
the American Revolution.
• After the war, Great Britain found itself left with a huge war debt
• To the British, it seemed logical to tax the colonists to cover those
expenses
Review
• Which statement about Georgia regarding the French and
Indian War is correct?
a) Georgia gained new territory as a result of the war
b) Georgia colonists suffered great losses of line and property
c) Georgia was a buffer zone in the fighting between the French
and the Indians
d) Georgia was the only colony to support the French against the
British in the war
Review
• Which statement about Georgia regarding the French and
Indian War is correct?
a)
Georgia gained new territory as a result of the war
Review
• How did the French and the British compare as the French and
Indian War began?
a)
The French forces had more experienced military leaders but
lacked a strong army to fight the British.
b) The French had a number of alliances with the Indians, but the
British had a larger number of troops.
c) The French had the strongest navy and army but their settlers
fought bitterly among themselves.
d) The British had the strongest navy and army but lacked Indian
alliances to fight the French.
Review
• How did the French and the British compare as the French and
Indian War began?
a)
The French forces had more experienced military leaders but
lacked a strong army to fight the British.
b) The French had a number of alliances with the Indians, but the
British had a larger number of troops.
c) The French had the strongest navy and army but their settlers
fought bitterly among themselves.
d) The British had the strongest navy and army but lacked Indian
alliances to fight the French.
Review
• During the French and Indian War, why did not of the Native
American tribes side with the French?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The Indians had become Catholic.
The Indians worked for the French as guides.
The Indians negotiated treaties with the French.
The Indians were trading partners with the French.
Review
• During the French and Indian War, why did not of the Native
American tribes side with the French?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The Indians had become Catholic.
The Indians worked for the French as guides.
The Indians negotiated treaties with the French.
The Indians were trading partners with the French.
Review
• Which statement BEST describes how the French and Indian
War led to America’s Revolutionary War?
a)
Great Britain gained control of Canada and tried to use
Canada’s tax structure on the thirteen colonies.
b) France lost the Louisiana territory, and the southern colonies
argued with Great Britain over claims to the newly acquired
land.
c) To get revenge, France incited rebellion in the colonies and
enticed Spain to move into the territories of the British
colonies.
d) To get money to repay war debts, Great Britain taxed the
colonies on the premise that the war had been necessary to
protect the colonies from the French.
Review
• Which statement BEST describes how the French and Indian
War led to America’s Revolutionary War?
a)
Great Britain gained control of Canada and tried to use
Canada’s tax structure on the thirteen colonies.
b) France lost the Louisiana territory, and the southern colonies
argued with Great Britain over claims to the newly acquired
land.
c) To get revenge, France incited rebellion in the colonies and
enticed Spain to move into the territories of the British
colonies.
d) To get money to repay war debts, Great Britain taxed the
colonies on the premise that the war had been necessary to
protect the colonies from the French.