French & Indian War

UNIT 3: Revolution

Lesson: The French & Indian War

8.13 Explain the significance of the Ohio River Valley leading to the French and Indian War and the events and consequences of the conflict, including: War Debt and the Treaty of Paris of 1763.

the french and indian war

THE OHIO VALLEY

After the 13 British Colonies developed, the land just outside of the colonies, northwest of the Appalachian Mountains became known as the Ohio Valley. The land southwest of the Appalachian Mountains became known as the Mississippi Valley. The Ohio Valley was the scene of rivalry between France and Great Britain because both countries claimed it. These regions were valuable for France because of the trade they set up with the American Indians. For Britain, it was land on which settlers had already moved. Both countries had built forts in the regions to assert their power.

Around 1710, French explorer Jean Du Charleville established "Fort Charleville" near the "Big Salt Lick" that was located on the Cumberland River. Charleville had taken over an old abandoned Shawnee Indian fort and established a fur trading post there. This settlement gain the nickname "French Lick" and would later be the site of the city of Nashville, Tennessee. Other settlements in the area began to be established by the French and this upset the British. Conflicts followed as both countries tried to chase each other out. These battles became known as the French & Indian War.

THE FRENCH & INDIAN WAR

Battles over the Ohio Valley region between Great Britain and France began in 1754. British troops led by a young commander from Virginia named George Washington tried to capture France's Fort Duquesne located in the Ohio Valley. Britain was unsuccessful but did not give up. The British continued their attempts to chase the French from key locations. Eventually the French abandoned Fort Duquesne and the British renamed it Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). These battles made the young George Washington famous!

The French had success early in the war because many Native American Indians in the area sided with the them because of fears that British settlers would take over their land. By the late 1750's, the tide turned when the British defeated the French at their forts located in Canada. In 1760, the British conquered Canada.

Great Britain eventually went on to win the war and drove the French from North America entirely!

George Washington

TREATY OF PARIS (1763)

In the peace treaty known as the Treaty of Paris (1763), France gave up all its North American colonies, this included Canada, the Ohio Valley, and the Mississippi Valley. This was basically all of the land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

Another part of the treaty gave Spanish Florida to the British. In return, the British gave Louisiana to Spain. This was good news for the people in the colonies because France and Spain were no longer threats.

Page updated

Report abuse