The French-Indian War

9/18/17

Also, known as the 7 Years’ War

- 1754-1763
- Between the British and French
o Began in British colonies in America and the French in Canada
- Originally over territory and trade
- Robert Dinwiddie, investor in the Ohio Company, sent George Washington to demand
French withdrawal.
o Battle at Fort Necessity
o French won against Washington and his 160 men
- Albany Congress meet to cement friendship and create allies against France
o Seven colonial representatives met in Albany with members from Iroquois
Confederacy.
o Benjamin Franklin proposed a Grand Council
 Levy taxes, raise troops, regulate trade with Indians
 Approved by the colonial representatives, but not ratified by colonial
government.
- In 1776, the war spread to Europe
o England & Prussia v. France, Spain, & Austria (allies based largely on religion)
- William Pitt concentrated British military resources in America, let Prussia do most of
the fighting in Europe.
o Worked really hard to unite the colonies—was successful
o Once there was unity, there was success
- 1763 marked the end of the war with the Treaty of Paris of 1763—British won
o Treaty of Paris of 1763 gave the British all French holding in Canada (except 2)
and all holdings east of Mississippi River.

Native Americans suffered as a result of the 7 Years War

- They couldn’t play the British and French off of each other
- In Southeast, Cherokees attacked settlements
o Defeated in 181 by colonial militia
- 1763, Ottawa Chief named Pontiac led Pontiac’s Rebellion
o allied Indians attacked forts in Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,
Maryland, and Virginia
o killed more than 2,000 colonists
o Destroyed all but 2, but still the rebellion ended quickly without assistance from
the French
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