If Illinois is undeveloped, why would an Empire want control of it?

The French and Indian WarBritish Control of Illinois

Main Ideas

• Fighting in the French and Indian War occurred far away from Illinois

• Great Britain won the war, and won Illinois as a result

• The British had few plans for Illinois

The Fights for Frontier

• During a French vs English war in 1740s– French accuse Brits of sending Indians after French

Settlements• 1749 King of England starts selling land in the

Ohio Valley– French claim they had dibs– Brits claim they had dibs

The 7 Years War/The French and Indian War

• Starts 1756• Can be seen as the first world war• Fighting in Europe and lands east of Illinois

French & Indian War Near Illinois

• 1750 French troops move into the Ohio River Valley

• Virginia sent a 21 year old militia leader to order the French to leave.

• French intend to hold the area.

French & Indian War• April 1753, the

young militia leader is sent into the ORV with 150 men.

• Encounter a small squad of FR. troops

• Attack & retreat to build a small fort

• Over 600 Fr. Troops and 100 Am. Ind. Attack the small fort.

• The VA. Militia surrender and are sent back to Williamsburg on July 4, 1753.

The French & Indian War

• Fighting between France & Great Britain (1754 – 1763)-British won on both fronts

• 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed ending the war – France lost all of its territory east of the Miss. R.

What to do with the New Lands?

• Not profitable because Spain won control of New Orleans

• Not safe because of Pontiac and other Indians• Leaving some forts to rot– Small garrisons

• Made a proclamation banning westward expansion– But we are Americans

Writing Assignment

• Vocab sheet and old work