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French and Indian War History Lesson Plans with Internet Links When you hear the name French and Indian War, it sounds like a war between the French and the Indians. It was really a war fought between the British and the French over land in North America. The French fought with the Indians against the British. August
15 is National Acadian Day, when French Canadians celebrate their heritage. A
big part of French Canadian and American history, in fact all history is shaped
by war. The French and Indian Wars were the first fought on North American
soil. When you hear the term French and Indian War do you think of a war between French and Indians? The
French and Indian War was really a war fought between the British and the
French over land in North America. The French fought with the Indians against
the British. The French and Indian War lasted from 1756 to 1763. It was also
called the Seven Years War. Here are free printable American history lessons on
the French and Indian War as well as French Canadian(called Acadian or Cajun)
history lessons.
There
were actually several battles fought between 1689 and 1763 that were called the
French and Indian Wars. King William's War, Queen Anne's War and King George's
War, or the inter-colonial wars were fought mostly in Canada (called Acadia in
French). The French and
Indian War was the
engagement of 1756-1763 which was fought in what was called America. What
caused the French and Indian War? The New World, as North America was called,
was a big area. Many countries like Spain, France, Holland and England
controlled different parts of the land.
The
English and Dutch had set up 13 colonies along the eastern seaboard (Atlantic sea
coast). Here are free printable American history lessons on those 13 colonies.
The original 13 colonies included Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland,
Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Spain
controlled areas in the southern parts of North America and France controlled
northern areas, including parts of Canada.
Each
nation wanted to expand its empire (land it controlled). There are four ways to
add more land to your empire--settle it, take it away from someone, buy it or
go to war over it. The French and Indian War was fought along the British
colonial frontiers (boundaries) from Virginia to Nova Scotia. The British and
French Canadian fought over the "confluence" (coming together) of two
important rivers, the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. This area is present
day Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (click that link for free printable
American history lessons on that region). A confluence where two bodies of
water meet is a strategic area for trade. Rivers are important natural
resources. Rivers are natural travel and trade routes. The country who controls
the rivers controls the land.
In
1755, British troops led by General Braddock attacked Fort Duquesne (du-cane) in what would be
called the Battle of the Monongahela in Acadia (Canada or New France). Braddock
was killed. The British tried to invade Acadia and take over French territories
in in 1755, 1756, and 1757. These attempts didn't succeed, mainly because
British troops lacked proper organization and argued among themselves. The
French Canadian also got along very well with the Native Canadian and American
Indians and had their support. Instead of fighting, taking from and trying to
control the Native American Indians, as the British did, the French befriended
and cooperated with the Indians.
In
1755, the British took the French Canadian Fort Beausejour (click here for free printable French
Canadian and American history lessons on Acadia or Cajun culture. This fort was
in Acadia where the British had several major
setbacks. Campaigns failed both
at Louisbourg and the Siege of Fort William Henry. When William Pitt took control things turned around for the
British. Between 1758 and 1760 British troops were able to gain ground in
Acadia New France. The British took control of the French capital at Montreal
in September, 1760.The French ceded control of Louisiana (New Acadia) to Spain,
because Spain had lost Florida to the British. The French and Indian War ended
France's control in North America and England was now the super power. William
Pitt was granted the area which is now Pittsburg.
