French and Indian War

2/29/2012

Colonial Struggle
France and England have been fighting for hundreds of years Colonies = Money Ohio River Valley conflict

Enter George Washington

Surveyor from a wealthy Virginia family Led 150 men to the Ohio River Valley in order to build a fort in 1754 French had already built Fort Duquesne on that spot!

War Breaks Out

British versus the French Many Native Americans side with the French but some side with the British Washingtons army builds Fort Necessity near Fort Duquesne and then skirmishes (small battle) with the French (in what is present day Pennsylvania) Thus begins the war

Albany Plan of Union

Meeting in Albany, New York Wished to create one general government for the Thirteen Colonies Ultimately failed

General Braddocks Disaster

British Army tried to attack Fort Duquesne in 1755 Disastrous defeat in the forest George Washington survived The French won many early battles of the war

The British Victorious

William Pitt = new head of British government in 1757 British seized Fort Duquesne Attacked Quebec, Canada and captured the city forcing the French to surrender

Treaty of Paris
Ended the war Britain gained Canada and all French lands east of the Mississippi River Spain sided with France and lost Florida but gained all land west of the Mississippi River and the city of New Orleans