Early American HistoryUnit 2: The American Colonies: Discovery to

1763The Seeds of Conflict:

The French-Indian War (1754-1763)

The Death of General Wolfe (1770) by Benjamin West

The Colonies’ Relationship with Britain

• 1607-1754 – England’s policy was salutary neglect toward the colonies. Navigation Acts 1651-1733 were not really enforced.

• This means leaving the colonies to basically govern themselves to ensure prosperity for both sides.

• Mercantilism – the belief a nation’s prosperity is linked to a strong economy. This was accomplished by a favorable balance of trade (more exports than imports), amassing gold and silver, and maintaining colonies (markets for mother country’s products + sources of raw materials.

Why did the Relationship Go Bad?• The traditions of limited

monarchy and self-government in the colonies benefited both sides ($$$!) and everyone was happy.

• Britain & France fought a series of costly wars between 1689 - 1763 & relationship changed.

• Why was Great Britain so worried about France?

• King George III = Tyrant! Along with Parliament, they will end salutary neglect.

The French Menace in the Ohio Valley• King William’s War (1689-1697), Queen Anne’s War

(1702-1713), King George’s War (1744-1748) were all N. American wars where the French incited and sometimes aided Indian attacks vs. colonial settlements in NE and NY. These wars began in Europe & spread to the colonies.

• England gained Nova Scotia, the Hudson Bay, and Newfoundland in Canada from France, but little was changed in America.

• 1752 – France authorizes construction of new forts from Lake Erie to the Ohio River in W. PA. Fort Duquesne (1754) was taken from an English construction crew and completed before a young planter/ surveyor/ Lt. Col & 150 Virginia militia could arrive to protect them. Washington attacked, but the French outnumbered them. Fort Necessity was built then surrounded, but the French let them go. Thus, began the French-Indian War.

Lt. Col. George Washington

The French-Indian War (1754-1763)1. What was another name for the

French-Indian War?2. Why could this war be called the 1st

world war?3. What side did the Native Americans

take? The colonists?4. Who won?5. What did the winners take from the

losers?6. What new problems resulted for the

British at the end of the war?7. What was Parliament’s proposed

solution to this problem?8. What was Pontiacs Rebellion of

1763?9. What was the Proclamation of 1763?10. What will all of this ultimately lead

to?Crash Course: Seven Years War

Geographic Changes Due to the French-Indian War

British North America (1763)

Where Were These Photos Taken?