7 - Major Events in the Colonies: The French and Indian War

•Briefly discuss Washington's rules.
•Popcorn read LoH pg 30 (It would not be long...) to pg 33 (...This was not going to be an easy problem to solve.)
•While reading, pay close attention to and discuss:
•Leading causes for the F&I War:
-Britain and France both claimed land in North America.
-Colonists pushed west into French territory (Ohio River Valley).
-French built forts to defend trade routes; British tried to drive them out.
-Rivalry over control of trade, land, and alliances with Native Americans.
•Major Figures
-George Washington: Young officer on early missions to Fort Necessity.
-Edward Braddock: Led failed British expedition; died in battle.
-William Pitt: British leader who poured money and troops into the war.
-James Wolfe: Won key victory at Quebec (Plains of Abraham)
•Major Battles:
-Fort Necessity (1754): Washington defeated; his first conflict.
-Braddock’s Defeat (1755): Heavy British loss near Fort Duquesne.
-Fort Niagara, Lake Champlain, Quebec (1759): British victories turned the tide.
-Plains of Abraham (1759): Wolfe’s victory secured Canada.
•Results:
-Treaty of Paris (1763): Ended French power in North America
-Britain gained Canada and land east of the Mississippi River.
-France kept only small islands near Newfoundland.
-Britain emerged as the dominant empire in North America.
•Lasting Effects:
-War doubled Britain’s national debt—massive cost.
-Ended “salutary neglect”: Britain could no longer leave colonies alone.
-Britain expected colonists to help pay for defense and debts through taxes.
-Colonists felt proud and united after shared struggle—early national identity.
-Growing tension: Britain sought tighter control; colonists wanted freedom.

Recap questions:
-Why did Britain end its policy of “salutary neglect” after the French and Indian War?
-How did the British victory and new territorial gains create financial and political strain between Britain and the colonies?
-If the colonies and Britain had fought side by side for freedom and security, how could that same victory become the spark that divided them?