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Table of Contents
The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War, was a significant precursor to the American Revolutionary War. It resulted in France losing almost all of its American and Canadian territories to the British Empire.
See the fact file below for more information on the French and Indian War or alternatively, you can download our 19-page French and Indian War worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
- The French and Indian War happened between 1754 and 1763 in North America.
- France and Britain were already fighting in Europe in the early 1750s, but now the battle had spread to North America where the British and French colonies were living.
- The war was between the British and French colonies living in America, but because there were so many more British Americans, the French people relied on the local Native American Indian people to help them as allies.
- This is why it’s called the French and Indian War.
- The area where the French colonies lived is now Canada but was known as New France in the 18th century.
- The French and Indian War started because France wanted control over the Ohio River area, but Britain wouldn’t let them have it. This dispute soon turned into a battle and the British declared war against France.
- The land surrounding the Ohio River was very valuable in terms of resources and the route of fur-trading with the Native Americans.
- “Both Great Britain and France coveted the region for different reasons. The French recognized the strategic importance of the valley as a link in their far-flung empire, which stretched from New France, in Canada, to Louisiana, along the Mississippi River. On the other hand, English colonists from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania hoped to settle the Ohio Valley area.”
– According to the book Bushy Run Battlefield: Pennsylvania Trail of History Guide
THE WAR BEGAN
- Most of the fighting happened in the area that is now Upstate New York.
- In Britain and Europe, the war was called the Seven Years’ War, but in America, it was called the French and Indian War.
- In 1757, the new British leader, William Pitt, saw the war as a great way to build a bigger empire and he put a lot of money into ensuring Britain succeeded.
- By 1758, Britain had made peace with many of the Native American Indian people. The Indian people then started to abandon their French allies, causing France’s war effort to become weaker and weaker.
- Spain joined the war in place of the Native American Indians and helped France to fight against Britain, but it was too late and, in 1759, France lost control of Quebec.
- By 1760, Britain had also gained control over Montreal and had forced France out of Canada completely. Pitt saw this as a great success and began attacking other French and Spanish colonies in other parts of the world.
- The war was a massive conflict between Austria, England, France, Britain, Prussia, and Sweden. In Europe, King Frederick the Great of Prussia was battling Sweden, Austria, and France, while in North America, England and France were going head-to-head for colonial domination.
- More people died in the French and Indian War than died in the entire American Revolution.
THE END OF WAR
- The war ended in 1763 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty meant that France had to give all of its American and Canadian territories back to Britain and Spain, and Spain also had to give up Florida.
- The result of the French and Indian war was that Britain now owned much more land than it had before and the French influence over North America was totally removed. However, the relationship between Britain and the Native American Indians was badly damaged and it was this that eventually led America towards its Revolutionary War.
- As a result, the war triggered hostilities between Britain and the American colonists. The British Parliament began to pass acts which levied taxes on different goods both imported and locally made in the colony.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- Among the major events during the French and Indian War were as follows:
- The Battle at Fort Duquesne (1755) where 1500 men under the command of British General Braddock were ambushed by the French and the Indians.
- In the Battle of Fort Oswego (1756), the French took 1700 prisoners.
- In 1757, the French captured Fort William Henry and killed 150 British soldiers despite their surrender.
- British captured Quebec City from the French in 1759.
- In 1760, the city of Montreal fell to the British.
- Colonel George Washington led the first battle of the war, the Battle of Jumonville Glen.
- At the end of the war in 1762, Britain captured Havan, Cuba from Spain which was later exchanged for Florida.
French and Indian War Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the French and Indian War across 19 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use French and Indian War worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War, which was a significant precursor to the American Revolutionary War. It resulted in France losing almost all of its American and Canadian territories to the British Empire.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- French and Indian War Facts
- Primary Source
- French and Indian Allies
- The Last of the Mohicans
- Foundation of a Revolution
- War in Boxes
- Powder Horns
- George Washington Profile
- War Timeline
- French and Indian War Mapping
- War Arguments
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Link will appear as French and Indian War Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 1, 2019
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.