France and Britain ClashFrance and Britain Clash

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Section 3Section 3

By: Wayne Worsham & By: Wayne Worsham &

Landon BrownLandon Brown

British/French RivalryBritish/French Rivalry

Britain and France had been competing for wealth for centuries, and in the middle 1700’s they were the strongest powers in Europe.

Both countries had claims in North America, and although there was room enough for both countries, it seemed inevitable that a conflict would take place.

Their rivalry continues even today.

Border Clashes Border Clashes

Fur TradeFur Trade

Fort PickawillanyFort Pickawillany

British fur traders went deep into Ohio and build Fort Pickawillany.

The French fur traders didn’t care for the British coming into the territory they had claimed, so they destroyed the fort in 1752.

After the fort was destroyed, the French built a series of forts along the rivers of the upper Ohio Valley.

LouisbourgLouisbourg

The destruction of Fort Pickawillany was only the start. In the 1740’s and 1750’s the French raided towns in New England.

In response, New Englanders went north and captured the French fortress of Louisbourg. They later returned it to the French.

Native Americans take sidesNative Americans take sides

Most Indians sided with the French, who Most Indians sided with the French, who had generally treated them wellhad generally treated them well

The Iroquois Confederacy – the Mohawk, The Iroquois Confederacy – the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida – eventually sided with the British to – eventually sided with the British to maintain trade relationsmaintain trade relations

Governor Dinwiddie, VirginiaGovernor Dinwiddie, Virginia

Governor Dinwiddle sends a young man into the Ohio territory with orders to speak with the French and convince them to leave

George WashingtonGeorge Washington

1753 Governor of Virginia sent 21-year-old planter and surveyor George Washington to tell the French to vacate territory claimed by Great Britain.

Washington was chosen because of his middle-class background, his interest in the military, and his intimidating stature (6’ 3”, 180 – 200 lbs)

He was laughed at by the French.

Undeterred…Undeterred…Governor Dinwiddie promotes Major George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel and sends him back into Ohio territory with about 400 militia soldiers (citizen-soldiers)

Ohio TerritoryOhio Territory (now Pennsylvania) (now Pennsylvania)

Pittsburg todayPittsburg today

““Pittsburg” in the 1750’sPittsburg” in the 1750’s

Fort DuquesneFort DuquesneAbout 600 French soldiers stationed here, along with many fur trappers and traders

Fort NecessityFort Necessity

Constructed by Washington’s troops in five days.

Expecting a traditional European-style attack, most of the construction time was spent building the mounds around the fort.

The French did not attack in the normal European fashion…

After Fort NecessityAfter Fort Necessity Washington called a hero by newspapers Washington called a hero by newspapers

and popular opinionand popular opinion Washington himself was disappointed with Washington himself was disappointed with

his performance and retired from the army, his performance and retired from the army, though he would volunteer again just a few though he would volunteer again just a few years lateryears later

Washington had learned hard lessons at Fort Washington had learned hard lessons at Fort Necessity that he would remember later in Necessity that he would remember later in his lifehis life

SummarySummary F&I war will be fought for three reasons:F&I war will be fought for three reasons:

LandLand Money (furs)Money (furs) RivalryRivalry

Ohio Territory includes portions of modern-Ohio Territory includes portions of modern-day Pennsylvaniaday Pennsylvania

George WashingtonGeorge Washington Early failures, lessons learnedEarly failures, lessons learned Reputation undamagedReputation undamaged

The End The End

Thanks for looking at our slide show, we Thanks for looking at our slide show, we hope you learned a lot about the French hope you learned a lot about the French And British Clash. And British Clash.