The Seven Years War• 1754-1763

A Study of

The “First World War”

French Colonization1.France claimed colonies in the interior of

North America (New France, the Great Lakes, and the Ohio River Valley) and in the Caribbean.

2.France secured alliances with the Huron Tribes, and vowed to help them fight against the Iroquois, an ally of the British.

Tensions Escalate1. Both the French and the British seek

trade with Native Tribes and work to expand the fur trade.

2. Both the French and the British arm their Native American allies with weapons.

3. British colonists move into the Ohio River Valley, claimed by France.

4. The French build forts in the Ohio River Valley to keep the British out.

King William’s War

• From 1688-1754 three wars raged across Europe and the world

1.King William’s War (1689-1697): The French invade NY, while the British invade and attack Port Royal, Nova Scotia. Both areas are returned in the Peace of Rijswijk (1697)

Queen Anne’s War

• Fought from 1702-1713

• Known as the War of Spanish Succession

• Fighting spread from South Carolina and St. Augustine, FL to Cuba.

• Settled in Treaty of Utrecht (1713)

• England wins Nova Scotia from France, and Gibraltar, and Minorca from Spain.

King George’s War

• France and Spain allied against England in what is called the War of Austrian Succession. (1744-1748)

• New Englanders attack and capture Louisbourg, which is at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, the main supply line for Montreal and Quebec.

• In the end, Louisbourg is returned to France.

George Washington• As British colonists moved into

the Ohio River Valley, France began building forts to prevent further expansion.

(Ft. Duquesne)

• In 1754 the Governor of Virginia, Robert Dinwiddie, commissioned Maj. George Washington to deliver a message to the French stating that England would begin building their own forts.

The Spark

• Maj. Washington approaches Ft. Duquesne, to inform the French of British intensions.

• French and British forces encounter each other in an armed fight, and Washington and his men kill the French Ambassador.

• Fleeing to Fort Necessity, Washington is forced to surrender to the French, expanding the war to North America.

Taking Sides

• France, Spain, Austria & Russia

England and Prussia

vs.

• Fighting took place from the West Indies, North America, Europe, and Asia.

• Do to a lack of resources; (population and supplies) France cannot defend North America.

The Albany Plan• Created by Benjamin Franklin,

the Albany Plan of Union meant to unite the colonies in fighting the French.

• Would allow the colonies:

1. To raise their own taxes

2. Raise their own armies

3. Build forts

4. Wage war on the French

5. Build settlements/towns

6. Treaties with Native tribes.

Join or Die

Early in the War

• British lose General Braddock in fight outside Ft. Duquesne

• British launch full attack by invading Canada in 1756.

• British expel Acadians to Louisiana where they become Cajuns.

William Pitt• The “Great

Commoner.”• Focused British energy

on conquering

1. Louisburg

2. Montreal

3. Quebec

The Battles

1. Fort Duquesne (1758)

2. Crown Point & Fort Ticonderoga (1759)

3. Quebec (1759)

• British General Wolfe, and French General, Montcalm are both killed.

4. Montreal (1760)

The Treaty of Paris 1763Signed in Paris in 1763

1. Britain defeats France

2. Britain wins control of all of North America east of the Mississippi River.

3. Spain gains New Orleans, and land west of the Mississippi River

4. France gains sugar plantations in West Indies.

5. Britain wins colonization rights in India.

6. French are bitter about loss, want revenge.

North America, 1763