French and Indian War

History Through Film

Mr. Clark

• During the 18th century, the powerful European nations of England, France and Spain were fighting each other all over the world for both land and money.

• These small wars continued for more than 100 years and were known as King William's War, Queen Anne's War, King George's War and the Seven Years’ War.

• The “final round” in this global conflict was the Seven Years’ War (a.k.a. French and Indian War)

• This conflict was primarily fought between England & France in India, North America, Europe, the Caribbean isles, the Philippines and coastal Africa.

1st World War?

• During the 18th century, land in North America was controlled by Spain, France and Britain

• The French and Indian War was fought to decide which power, Britain or France, would become the stronger power in North America, each side relying on its colonists and Indian allies to fight.

• The war began with conflicts over land.

• French explorers had been the 1st Europeans in the areas around the Great Lakes and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers; France had sent traders and trappers and established trading centers

• Britain claimed the same land as France

• The east coast becoming increasingly crowded, so English settlers began moving westward, into Indian territory

Indians• When conflict

began between Britain and France, Indians were divided over who to support.

• Where Pittsburgh, PA is today, the French built one of their trading forts called Fort Duquesne

• Fort Duquesne sat at the junction of three important rivers: Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio

• Britain, however, claimed the fort was situated in Virginia on top of land belonging to them.

Beginning• In 1754, the

governor of Virginia sent a 21 year old colonist named George Washington to demand the withdrawal of the French.

• The French refused to leave and Washington, along with 150 men, tried to force them out; attacking a group of Frenchmen and killing 10 of them, sparking the beginning of the French and Indian War.

New War

• British generals expected to fight the traditional way battles were fought in Europe, with troops lined up on open fields and firing their weapons as they marched toward each other.

• The French and their Indian allies refused to fight in this manner, preferring instead to hide in the woods, and camouflaging themselves

Location• Most of the

fighting that occurred during the French and Indian War took place in New York state near the Canadian border and the Hudson River Valley.

French• France sent one

of its best military commanders to take command of its troops in America, the Marquis de Montcalm.

• Upon his arrival in North America, Montcalm proceeded to attack several British forts in 1757, one of which was Fort William Henry.

Victory

• The British commander of Fort William Henry was forced to surrender on the condition that his troops would be treated fairly.

Massacre

• Peace treaty was broken by France’s Indian allies as they killed more than 1,000 British soldiers and settlers alike.

The End• Despite losing

many battles, the overwhelming number of British soldiers and American colonists led to the defeat of the French (and their Indian allies)

• With the defeat of the French in Canada and the treaty in Paris in 1763, the French and Indian war officially came to an end.

• British took control of land previously claimed by France and which stretched from the east coast of North America to the Mississippi River.

• Everything west of the Mississippi River belonged to Spain.

• Indians still retained control over most of the western lands, except for some Spanish colonies in Texas and New Mexico.

SPAINSPAIN ENGLANDENGLANDWINNERS OF THEF & I WAR

How did the French and Indian War affect the American colonies?

American Revolution• The end of the

French and Indian War brought about a VERY large financial debt for England

American Revolution

• the British Parliament decided the debt would be repaid by raising taxes on the colonies (pay for their own protection)

American Revolution

• Beginning in 1765, protests against the various English taxes on the colonies began to mount in the colonies.

WAR!!!

The Last of the Mohicans

History Through Film

Mr. Clark

James Fenimore Cooper• James Fenimore Cooper son of a wealthy,

landowning Judge William Cooper• 1789: born in Burlington, New Jersey• 1790: family moved to Cooperstown, New

York, a frontier settlement founded by Judge Cooper

• Sent to Yale University at thirteen, J. F. Cooper was expelled in his third year and was sent to sea, partly in the merchant marine, and then as a midshipman in the US Navy.

The Book• In the second of the Leatherstocking Tales both

in composition and in order of narrative.

• It is complete in itself, but is tied to the other stories by Natty Bumppo, the central figure of the series.

• His character as the last uncorrupted white man who prefers the code of the Indian than the nature of the white settlers, who is loyal, courageous and a superb promoter of woodcraft struck a chord with contemporary Americans that still finds an echo today.

The Book• It was written in 1826

• an adventure set in the forests of North America during the Seven Years War (aka the French and Indian War) (1756 - 1763) between Great Britain and France.

• The plot revolves around the efforts of Alice and Cora Munro to join their father, who is the commander of Fort William Henry near Lake Champlain.

The Book• Their course is blocked by Magua, the leader of a

group of Huron Indians who are allied to the French.

• His schemes are frustrated by Uncas, the last of the Mohicans, his father Chingachgook, and Natty Bumppo (“Hawkeye”)(Nathaniel).

• The book is characterized by a series of thrilling attacks, captures, flights and rescues