Ch. 5 - The Seven Years War (1756 - 1763)

Use the accompanying PowerPoint slides, your textbook, and our class discussion to complete this notes booklet.

What Was The Seven Years War?In the mid 1700s France and England were two Superpowers in conflict with one

another.

In the space below, define the word Superpowers:

They were in conflict because they both wanted the same thing: More Land and

More Resources

France and Britain had been rivals for power in Europe for many years.

Between 1690 and 1763, the two countries were almost always at war with each

other.

The Seven Years War: Causes

After the explorations of the 1400s, 1500s, and 1600s, the European Imperial

Powers (Britain, France, Spain, etc) protected their interests by building a series

of fortified trading posts throughout the maritime regions.

Boundaries in the new colonies were constantly being disputed France owned an

area of land known as Ohio Valley, which prevented the British from expanding

westward from the 13 colonies.

Competition for land and its resources ultimately generated violence. This

violence culminated in The Seven Years War (1756-1763).

The Seven Years War: A Global War

The 7 Years war is considered a Global War. Meaning battles were taking place all

over the world.

France and Britain were battling each other In Europe, India, Africa and even in

the Caribbean.

So what did all these places have in common?

France and Britain were determined to protect their colonies, but to take each

others as well.

Seven Years’ War: North America

The British and French both had colonies they wanted to protect in North America

They both also wanted continued access to the abundant resources of North

America (furs, wood, fish, farmland, etc.)

This competition led to war breaking out in North America in 1754.

Make a Prediction: Britain and France are now fighting a huge war to control most

of the world. What could be some consequences of losing the Seven Years War in

North America?

British or French Empires

British and French Colonists

First Nations

Possible

Consequences

The French Perspective

By 1750, the French were very well established in North America. They had claimed

a huge area of land, including New France, Acadia, and French Louisiana.

The heart of New France was the settlements of Quebec and Montreal along the St.

Lawrence river where about 50,000 colonists now lived.

Many of these colonists had been born in New France and did not see themselves as

European, but saw themselves instead as something new: Canadiens.

The Canadiens felt safe in their colonies. They believed that they were well

protected by their home country of France, which sent them soldiers.

They believed that the Britisharmies would never be able to get past the mighty

fortress at Louisberg and Quebec.

The English Perspective

The population of the 13 colonies was much bigger than the population of

New France.

The English colonists wanted to move west across North America as they

needed more farmland for growing their population.

They also wanted to begin trading with First Nation tribes who lived in the

interior of North America.

The English also wanted to gain control of the major water gateway to the

continent: The St. Lawrence River.

Because of the location of the French, the English felt trapped.

Think It Through: Analyzing an Image

Examine the following political cartoon. Follow the steps below to analyze the image and determine its meaning.

SOURCE: OBSERVATION POSSIBLE INTERPRETATIONWHOWhat role or occupation? What Status (Rich/Poor)?If many people, are they related to each other?

WHATWhat do you see?What actions or objects are in the picture?Where is the attention focused?

WHENWhat historical period? Time of day? Year? Decade?

WHERELandmarks? Rural or Urban?Country?Geography?

WHYWhat reason might there be for the actions?Does the broader context suggest a purpose?Is there any text that helps infer meaning?

SUMMARY EXPLANATION