The French and Indian War (1756-1763)
By Guillermo Serrano
Cause of the French and Indian War
The major conflict that caused the war, was France's expansion into the Ohio River Valley which was part of the British Colonies. The British sent out a message to the French warning them to leave their territory. The French response to the message was that they intended to stay. In 1756 the British formally declared war against the French and their Indian allies. Another cause of the war was the differences in religion, the French settlers in America were mostly Catholics and were threatened by the British who were anti-catholics and used to religious freedom.
Role of George Washington in French and Indian War
At the age of 20, George Washington was appointed adjutant in the Virginia cononial militia. In 1753 (age 21) he volunteered to carry out a message from Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie to the French moving into the Ohio Valley, warning them to leave the territory, that was owned by the British crown. Washington succeeded in delivering the message and came back with the message that the French intended to stay. In 1754 the Governor of Virginia appointed Washington as Lieutenant colonel, and in 1755 appointed Washington as Commander in Chief of all Virginia forces. May 28, 1754 was the first engagement of the French and Indian war, Washington leads a Virginia militia to defeat a French reconnaissance party in Southwestern Pennsylvania. In a surprise attack Virginians killed ten French soldiers from Fort Duquesn, including French commander, Coulon de Jummonville, and took 21 prisoners. Only one of Washington's men was killed. Washington was seen as a hero in Virginia because of his signifigant role and leadership in the French and Indian War. He was the president of the United States for two terms from 1789-1797
Events and Battles of the French and Indian War
In 1755 the British were defeated at Fort Duquesne, which was a French fort. The British struggled to recapture Fort Duquesne, but in 1758 they were victorious. The British then renamed Fort Duquesne to Fort Pitt in honor of William Pitt who was a English Prime Minister During the French and Indian War. In July 1758, the British won thier first great victory at Louisbourg, near the mouth of the St. Lawerence River. A month later, they took Fort Frontenac at the western end of the river. Then they closed in Quebec, where Gen. James Wolfe won a spectacular victory on the Plains of Abraham, September 13, 1759. This was the last major battle of the French and Indian War. The French had planned to make the last stand at Montreal,but ended up having to retreat Montreal in 1760. The reason for the French to retreat and surrender was the three British armies that surrounded Montreal. The French wanted to fight but had no choice to surrender because they were outnumbered and surrounded. At the Peace Conference of 1763, British recieved Canada from France and Florida from Spain, but permitted France to keep its west Indian sugar islands and gave Louisiana to Spain. The treaty strengthened the American colonies signifigantly by removing their European rivals to the North and South and opening the Mississippi Valley to westward expansion.
Treaty of Paris 1763
The signing of Treaty of Paris in Feburary 1763, had France lose all claims of to the mainland of North America east of the Mississippi to the British and the port of New Orleans and Louisiana Territory west of the Mississippi were ceded to Spain for their efforts as a British ally.
Major Results of The French and Indian War
Some results of the French and Indian War are that the British territorial claims greatly expanded in America and gained more world power in America. British debt grew in attempt to finance an ever-expanding war. There was resentment toward the American colonists because they saw that Americans as unwilling to financially support a war on their behalf. American colonist unified for the first time against a common enemy. A positive effect of the war was that it started Freedom struggle in America which eventually culminated in the American War of Independance. This 7 years war severely demorilized the French forces and diminished its power at a greater scale in Asia, Europe, and North America at the same time.
Bibliography
"First Blood of the French and Indian War."2013
The History Channel website.March 14, 2013<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history-/first-blood-of-the-french-and-indian-war>
"Key events and battles of the French and Indian war"2013
<http://www.feldmeth.net/us/fandiwar.html>
"Documents for America's History"2013.
James A. Henretta. Melvin Yazawa. University of New Mexico
Images
<www.listal.com>
<www.britishbattles.homestead.com>
The History Channel website.March 14, 2013<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history-/first-blood-of-the-french-and-indian-war>
"Key events and battles of the French and Indian war"2013
<http://www.feldmeth.net/us/fandiwar.html>
"Documents for America's History"2013.
James A. Henretta. Melvin Yazawa. University of New Mexico
Images
<www.listal.com>
<www.britishbattles.homestead.com>