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French and Indian War (1754-1763) — Comprehensive Study Notes (APUSH)

Overview and Timeframe

  • Period: 1754 to 1800 (Unit 3 AP US History).

  • Focused on: French and Indian War = North American part of the global Seven Years' War.

  • Sides: British colonists + British forces + some Native allies VS French + many Native allies.

  • Native alliances were strategic for power, not just loyalty.

Key Players, Sides, and Alliances

  • British Side: British Americans, British army, Native allies (like limited Iroquois involvement).

  • French Side: French forces, Native allies.

  • George Washington:

    • 1753: Virginia militia, warned French about land claims in Ohio River Valley.

    • 1754: Led attack on Fort Duquesne, sparking the war.

  • Albany Congress: Meeting of British colonies and Iroquois for defense, trade, and expansion.

  • Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan: Proposed a unified colonial council for defense and other issues.

The Albany Plan and Early Union Ideas

  • Albany Plan: Aimed for central colonial council for defense, trade, expansion.

  • Rejected because: Colonies didn't want to give up power to tax themselves for a central government.

  • Significance: Showed early ideas for colonial unity, set groundwork for later cooperation.

Causes of the French and Indian War

  • Main Cause: British colonists moving onto land in the Ohio River Valley, which France also claimed.

  • Part of the larger Seven Years' War, with Europe powers fighting over North American land.

  • Ignition: Washington's actions at Fort Duquesne in 1754 started the fight.

  • Ohio River Valley: Important for land and resources, a major conflict spot.

Course of the War (initial phase and expansion)

  • Early War: France did well against British in North America.

  • British Policies during War: Caused anger in colonies.

    • Impressment: Forcing American men into British Royal Navy.

    • Quartering: Colonists forced to house and feed British soldiers.

  • War Ends: Peace of Paris in 1763 changed North American map.

End of War: Peace of Paris (1763) and Territorial Outcomes

  • Spain: Gave Florida to Britain.

  • France: Lost almost all land in North America.

  • Spain: Got former French lands west of Mississippi (Louisiana territory).

  • Britain: Got all land east of the Mississippi River, including Ohio River Valley.

  • These changes led to westward movement and new imperial rules.

Consequences for the American Colonies

  • Westward Movement: Colonists moved west into newly gained Ohio River Valley.

  • Native-Nettler Fights: Increased as settlers moved onto Native lands.

  • Pontiac's Rebellion: Ottawa leader Pontiac led attacks against settlers and forts.

  • British Response: Created the Proclamation Line of 1763.

  • Proclamation Line of 1763: Stopped colonists from moving west past Appalachian Mountains into Ohio River Valley.

  • Colonial Reaction: Many ignored the line, felt the land was earned by war.

  • Growing anger at British rules.

Financial Strain and Taxation as a Result of the War

  • Costly War: British national debt doubled.

  • Cost to Govern Colonies: Increased by 5 imes (five times).

  • British Response: Parliament started taxing colonies more to pay for war.

  • These taxes became a big reason for colonial anger.

Connections to Foundational Principles and Real-World Relevance

  • Albany Plan: Early example of colonial cooperation, showed ideas for future government.

  • Proclamation Line: Showed early arguments over colonial rights vs. British control.

  • War showed how Native groups worked with European powers to protect their land.

  • War's cost showed tension between paying for government and fair representation.

Key Dates, Terms, and Numbers (glossary-friendly)

  • Unit Timeframe: 1754\text{ to }1800

  • Fort Duquesne incident/Washington's campaign: 1753\to 1754

  • End of War: 1763

  • Peace of Paris: 1763 (changed land ownership).

  • Proclamation Line: 1763 (limited westward movement).

  • Economic Figures: Debt 2\times; colonial costs 5\times.

Hypothetical Scenarios and Exam-Style Takeaways

  • If Albany Plan passed: Earlier central colonial government, different taxes.

  • If Britain didn't tax colonies: Less colonial anger, different path to revolution.

  • Native alliances: Showed complex imperial relationships.

Quick Reference: How the War Sets Up the American Revolution

  • Post-1763: Land changes and British debt led to fights over government and taxes.

  • War experience taught colonists about self-government, leading to demands for freedom.

  • Seeds of unity and conflict from 1754 to 1763 led to the American Revolution.