French And Indian War Essay

Great Essays
Show More
The French and Indian war, also known as the ‘seven years’ war,’ was fought between British America and New France and was based in North America with the support of Great Britain and France respectively. At the beginning of the conflict the British outnumbered their opponents with 2 million settlers to their 60,000 meaning the French had to rely on Indian support. The nations were fighting for a while and in 1756 war was declared making what was previously a regional conflict in to an intercontinental one. Historian Guy Frégault stated ‘À son avis, la France et l 'Angleterre s 'affrontent « pour dominer et n 'être pas dominées »’( in his opinion France and England clash to dominate and not be dominated,) which suggests a goal of power and …show more content…
The first was led by George Braddock to Fort Duquesne, with William Shirley being assigned to Fort Oswego and Fort Niagara. Sir William Johnson was given the task of capturing Fort St. Frédéric and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Monckton was to gain Fort Beauséjour. These early expeditions would suggest a strong start for the British, but they were not all successful, in particular Braddock’s expedition for Fort Duquesne which has been described as a ‘serious error,’ on his part after French and Indian soldiers ambushed them from trees and behind logs. Braddock called for a retreat but he was ultimately killed along with 1000 British soldiers and the 500 that survived left for Virginia under the leadership of George Washington. This failure was an example of how several of the British expeditions were unsuccessful. These early failures show a weak start for the British and a strong beginning for France, with historians stating a reason being that ‘Whitefield and Wesley had not wakened the drowsy conscience of the nation,’ suggesting that maybe Britain were complacent at this point because they believed their numbers were enough, and they just didn’t have the strength in both leadership and also the support of the

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Summary Of Thomas Paine's Common Sense
    • 1022 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Summary Of Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    The French and Indian War, also known as the 7 Years War was the starting point for America’s independence from Great Britain; or the American Revolution. Both England and France were trying to stake claim to the land between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River. When Washington and his men crossed into the territory the French took them captive and this was only the beginning. Retaliations from both sides continued between the two. Eventually the conflict in America would ignite a war in Europe that would include Prussia, Spain and Austria as well.…

    • 1022 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    French And Indian War: Relationship Between Britain And North American Colonies
    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages

    French And Indian War: Relationship Between Britain And North American Colonies

    The French and Indian War had begun in 1754 because of a boundary dispute between the French and the British. The French argued that the British had settled along the Ohio Valley that was located in their territory, thus resulting in a brutal event that is also known as the Seven Years’ War. The relationship between Britain and its North American Colonies was modified due to the French and Indian War because of the land acquisitions and economy that forever changed the way they communicated and interacted with each other. For there are many reasons why the British and North American Colonies’ relationship have altered, the land acquisition largely contributed to the way they communicate and interact post-war.…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    French And Indian War Dbq
    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages

    French And Indian War Dbq

    Between 1754-1763 the French and Indian War caused conflict between Britain and America in many areas like in politics, economics, and ideology. Land in North America occupied by different countries(Doc A). Countries like Britain, France, Spain, and Russia all occupied territory in North America in 1754. This changed over the course of the French and Indian War. By 1763, all of the French land was taken by the Spanish and English.…

    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    French And Indian War: Political, Economic, And Social Effects
    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages

    French And Indian War: Political, Economic, And Social Effects

    The French and Indian War affected both the colonists and Britain in very different ways. They grew knowledge about each other and about themselves. The colonists learned that they wanted their own sovereign government, and Great Britain learned that they couldn’t completely control the colonies anymore. They saw that they didn’t work well together as a union.…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Consequences Of The Treaty Of Paris
    • 1787 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Consequences Of The Treaty Of Paris

    In 1763, the Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War. This war started in 1754 and paired the British against the French in a battle for North American land. Prior to the war, there was much hostility in this area relating to colonial borders and trading capabilities with local Amerindian tribes. The war was primarily fought due to the importance of imperialism during this time. More land equaled more power and that is exactly what both countries wanted.…

    • 1787 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    French And Indian War Effects
    • 1144 Words
    • 5 Pages

    French And Indian War Effects

    Resulting Impacts of the French and Indian War The French and Indian War (1754-1763) had several grave impacts on North American society, but most importantly it agitated the relationship between the colonists and Great Britain. The French and Indian War was fought in North America amongst colonial Great Britain, colonial France, and both of their Native American allies. Across the seas, the Seven Years War was taking place simultaneously, and the combination of the two wars led to severe burdens. Economically, Great Britain substantially enlarged its national debt and began to experiment with taxes to pay it off.…

    • 1144 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The Primary Causes Of The French And Indian War
    • 1533 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Primary Causes Of The French And Indian War

    The French and Indian War, which was also known as the Seven Years War, was the conflict in which the British fought against the French and their allies, the Indians. The war actually lasted more than seven years, stretching unofficially from 1754 to 1763. The French and Indian War was important because it planted the idea of one specific country controlling the entire land of the New World. Although the British struggled in the early years of the war, Great Britain, along with the American colonists, eventually were able to defeat the French and their allies. As a result of the war, France lost much of its land, including the Quebec region.…

    • 1533 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Compare And Contrast The French And Indian War
    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Compare And Contrast The French And Indian War

    The french and indian war, fought between Britain and France during the years 1754-1763, was a response to debate over the Ohio River Valley between the two countries, won by the British in 1763. The effects of the war, rather than improve relations between the colonies and their mother country, worsened them. The conclusion of the french and indian war strained british and colonial relations due to issues of land acquisition such as the proclamation of 1763 and the Quebec act, political changes such as the end of salutary neglect and trivialization of existing colonial government, and economic burdens stemming from mercantilism and heavy taxes placed on the colonies that eventually led to the American revolution. When the Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War, it granted Britain the territory of the Ohio River Valley. The treaty more…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Effects Of The French And Indian War
    • 1577 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Effects Of The French And Indian War

    In the 18th century there were a series of arguments between the British and the French where they all competed for land, specially the upper Ohio River Valley, and power. This was because the French were winning power and control over the lands that the British believed were legally theirs. They were also gaining more control and power over trade, which led to a feeling of threat from the French to the British. The British wanted to prevent the French from gaining more land because more land equalled more power and authority over them, thus giving the start of the French and Indian War also known as the Seven Years War. This war also brought much destruction to Europe and the empires in Europe.…

    • 1577 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    DBQ: The French And Indian War
    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages

    DBQ: The French And Indian War

    The French and Indian war was a time when Britain and France had colonies in North America. The war started in 1754 and ended in 1763, it all started when the British wanted to settle in the Ohio River Valley because they wanted to trade with the Native Americans that lived there. While the French was also trading with indians, to protect their trade they built forts. George washington lead an army against the french, and he lost the battle. Then Britain declared war on France, and the war was named the French and Indian war for the control of the valley.…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Effects Of Native American Expansion
    • 1445 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Effects Of Native American Expansion

    The French and Indian War was caused by the conflict involving the Ohio River Valley, and if it was part of the British empire or the French Empire. The Native Americans of the Ohio River Valley were allied with the French at the time, and fought with them in the war. Throughout the war many of the Native Americans lost their lives, trying to protect their allies. Many of the tribes that were allied with the French had now created an enemy with the British, as well. The Iroquois Confederacy, who were allied with the British even suffered.…

    • 1445 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The French And Indian War
    • 229 Words
    • 1 Pages

    The French And Indian War

    The French and Indian War took place during the middle of the eighteenth century. At the time, both France and Great Britain had established colonies in North America, and the war would determine which of the two countries would ultimately have the dominant control of the continent. Although the fighting began in 1754, after frequent conflicts over the ownership of the upper Ohio River valley, the war did not officially begin until 1756. As the North American front of the larger, world-wide Seven Years’ War, the French and Indian War shaped the future of Canada and America. Although various native tribes sided with both the British and the French during the war, the majority of the Native Americans sided with the latter, which gave the French…

    • 229 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Seven Years War Essay
    • 1215 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Seven Years War Essay

    The Seven Years’ War was one that had two imperialist superpowers engaged in battle over territory in North America. While Britain and France were the two major countries at play, other countries became involved through alliances, causing the war to become a possibility for the first global war. Nevertheless, the war’s main focus was in North America. Native American tribes were also involved such as the Algonquins, who sided with the French in battle; the Iroquois alongside the American colonists fought for the British. As for the front in America, scholars and writers have differing opinions as to whether the Seven Years’ War transformed the colonial life, causing them to push towards a revolution and independence.…

    • 1215 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Seven Years War
    • 259 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Seven Years War

    The Seven Years War produced a numerous amount of historically significant events in Europe, and also took place in the American Colonies as what we know today as the French and Indian War. The French and Indian War was a conflict between Britain and France due to contested land claims over the Ohio River Valley, which eventually lead to Britain's declaration of war in 1756. At the beginning of the war, the British suffered major losses. Though in 1758, the tables turned with the arrival of William Pitt, who led the British to victory. Once several forts surrounding the Ohio River Valley were built by the French, the British retaliated, hoping to expel the French from the area.…

    • 259 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Political Effects Of The French And Indian War
    • 1158 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Political Effects Of The French And Indian War

    Along with Florida, Great Britain also gained territory in French Canada. The map of colonial Empires in North America in 1754 and 1763, shows the shift of colonial power before and after the French and Indian War (document A). At the start of the war, France owned all the land from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rockies. More importantly, France had claims to the Mississippi River, a major transportation hub, allowing them to greatly expand their trade. At the end of the war however, France’s rule in North America became nonexistent, making them no longer a threat to the English colonies.…

    • 1158 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings