French and Indian War

Era of Salutary Neglect

Period from the 1690s to 1763 where Britain exercised minimal control and allowed a high degree of colonial self governance

King William's and Queen Anne's Wars

Early colonial conflicts between Britain and France with Native allies, resulting in no major territorial changes initially.

Treaty of Utrecht (1713)

Agreement where England seized Hudson Bay, Newfoundland, and Acadia (Nova Scotia) from France

Establishment of Georgia (1733)

Founded by James Oglethorpe as a buffer zone against Spanish Florida and a haven for debtors under strict regulations

War of Jenkin's Ear & King George's War (1739

1748)

North American Population in 1750

British colonies had about 1.5 million people (doubling every 25 years), while New France had only 69,000 to 75,000 settlers

George Washington's Allegheny Expedition (1754)

Washington marched to the Ohio River Valley, clashed with French forces, killed commander Jumonville, and built Fort Necessity

Tanacharison ("Half

King")

Albany Congress (1754)

Meeting of colonial delegates and the Iroquois to coordinate defense, featuring Ben Franklin's 'Join or Die' cartoon

Albany Plan of Union

Proposed intercolonial government for recruitment and taxation, it failed but set a precedent for later revolutionary congresses.

General Braddock's Defeat (1755)

British forces sent to take Fort Duquesne were ambushed and routed by French and Indians, Braddock was killed.

Great Expulsion of Acadians

British expelled French residents from Acadia in 1755, many relocated to Louisiana, giving rise to Cajun culture.

Seven Years' War (1756

1763)

Fall of Fort William Henry (1757)

Captured by the French, followed by an infamous massacre of the surrendering British garrison by Indian allies.

British Regulars vs. Colonial Militias

Tensions arose between professional British redcoats and colonial volunteers regarding discipline, styles of fighting, and organization.

William Pitt's Strategy (1757)

British Foreign Minister who boosted colonial morale by promising reimbursement for war costs and replacing harsh commanders.

Turning Point of the War (1758

1761)

Treaty of Paris (1763)

France lost Canada and lands east of the Mississippi, Spain gained western lands and New Orleans, Britain got Canada and Florida.

Effects of the War on Britain

Enlarged colonial empire, greatly increased national debt, and created contempt for colonial militias.

Effects of the War on Colonials

United colonists against a common enemy for the first time, provided a shared military experience, and fostered bitterness toward Britain.

Pontiac's Rebellion (1763)

Uprising of 14 Native American tribes led by Pontiac against harsh post

Smallpox Blanket Distribution

British commanders Jeffrey Amherst and Henry Bouquet plotted and executed plans to infect Native Americans with smallpox using contaminated blankets.

Proclamation Line of 1763

British boundary along the Appalachian Mountains forbidding colonists from moving west, causing widespread colonial anger.

Paxton Boys and Conestoga Massacre (1763)

Scots

Cause and Effect: Salutary Neglect

Cause: British oversight was minimal from the 1690s to 1763 / Effect: Colonists enjoyed a high degree of autonomy and self

Cause and Effect: Ohio River Valley Forts

Cause: France began building military forts in the Ohio River Valley / Effect: Triggered George Washington's expedition and the skirmish at Fort Necessity.

Cause and Effect: William Pitt's 1757 Compromise

Cause: Pitt promised colonial cost reimbursements and replaced harsh commanders / Effect: Colonial morale surged and over 40,000 troops were raised.

Cause and Effect: Post

War British Debt and Contempt

/ Effect: Britain determined that a major reorganization of its American Empire was necessary.

Cause and Effect: Pontiac's Rebellion

Cause: Harsh post

Cause and Effect: Proclamation Line of 1763

Cause: Desire to prevent further Native American unrest following Pontiac's Uprising / Effect: Banned westward colonial expansion, angering settlers who felt cheated out of lands they fought for.