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In the early days of settlement, many different European countries competed to colonize North America.
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England and France at War: Both Claim Ohio River Valley
May 28, 1754 England and France at War:Both Claim Ohio River Valley
As this newspaper headline shows, by the 1750s, England and France
were ready to fight over territory in North America. In the early
days of settlement, many different European countries competed to
colonize North America. By the late 17th century, three countries
had come out on top:England, France and Spain.
France based her claims in North America on Frances exploration of
inland waterways. England based its claims in North America on
expansion inland from the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and Hudson
Bay. Question:Can you point out areas where French and English
settlers may begin to fight over territory? The war between France
and the British will take place in the Ohio River Valley.
Questions:Why do you think the French fur trappers and traders were
interested in controlling the rivers?HINT:Remember there werent
many roads back then. Can you see the collision about to
happen?
French Forts Protect Access to Ohio and Mississippi Rivers British
Settlements Moving Westward Can you see the collision about to
happen? As you know the showdown between the English and the French
happened in the Ohio River Valley.
The French wanted to protect the money they earned there from fur
trapping.They also wanted to maintain control of the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers since those were the only connection between
their northern and southern settlements. English settlers wanted to
move west to find fertile land for farming and also to get in on
the fur trapping in the region. Question:If the English win the
war, what might happen to the French settlers in southern North
America? British in North America French in North America
Native Americans had lived, farmed and hunted in the Ohio River
Valley for many years.It was very fertile land. They didnt want to
lose it to either the French of the English. In fact, one Indian
told an English trader, You and the French are like two edges of a
pair of shears.And we are the cloth which is to be cut to pieces
between them. But the conflict between France and England was too
serious to ignore. Most Indians decided that the only way to
protect their way of life was to choose sides. British in North
America French in North America Most were farmers who usually
ignored Indian rights by chopping down trees and clearing Indian
hunting land for farming. Most were trappers and traders who
usually didnt destroy Indian hunting grounds by clearing forests
for farms. Very few English settlers married Indian women or
adopted Indian ways of life. Many French trappers married Indian
women and adopted their ways. Questions:If you were an Indian,
which side would you choose in the war?What might happen to you if
you picked the losing side? In the end, most Indians in the Ohio
River Valley sided with the French.
The two biggest Indian allies of the French were the Huron and
Algonquin Indians. The British made an alliance with Iroquois
Indians. Can you guess why the Iroquois sided with the British?
They were old and bitter enemies of the Huron and Algonquians. WAIT
A MINUTE! The name of this war is confusing!
The English and the Iroquois Indians were fighting the French and
the Algonquin and Huron Indian tribes. The British (and some
Indians)were fighting the French (and lots of Indians). So the
British began calling the conflict the French and Indian War since
that is who they were fighting. Weird name, huh? Key Battles of the
French and Indian War Youd think the British and the colonists
would be happy with each other, right?
They had worked together to defeat the French. Ben Franklin even
tried to get the colonies to form one giant unified territory with
his Albany Plan of Union. Other colonies turned him down
though.They were willing to work together during the war with
France,but they loved their independence too much to give it up.
Soon though, the colonies would be in conflict again.This time with
the mother country, Britain.