The French and Indian War was caused by the worldwide struggle for empire by France, Spain, and England. The fighting of these countries often times spilled over into North America, where colonist were dragged into three wars: King Williams War, Queen Annes War and King Georges War, these wars lasted between 1689 and 1748.
With the threat of war breaking out in Europe, the prospect of more colonial warfare remained. To gather a plan of defense and to gain Iroquois as allies, representatives from seven colonies and the Iroquois League met in Albany, New York. During the Albany Congress the delegates adopted Benjamin Franklins Albany Plan of Union. However the colonial assemblies rejected the plan, fearing that it would cause a raise in taxes and give Great Britain an up hand in power. The Iroquois decided that the English were too disunited to defeat the French, would not commit their support. In 1749 land speculators bought land in Virginia, hoping that there would be a quick profit form its resale.
The Virginians felt the need to protect their land so the built forts at the junction of Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers- this is present day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The French thought that the land was theirs as well, so of course this caused some friction between the British and French. During the friction the French decided to dive the Virginians off of the land. Once the Virginians were off the land they completed the fort and named it Fort Duquesne.
This outraged, Lieutenand Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia sent George Washington and a company of militia to send the French from the area. But the French but up a good fight for the land. The British was just as determined to keep the land so they sent General Braddock, Washington and a large force of British and colonial soldiers to take Fort Duquesne back for their own. The colonial forces however were very inexperienced in warfare and the British forces panicked when they met the French and their force of Delawares, Ottawas, Abnakis, and other Native Americans.
During August of 1751 the British lost Oswego and Fort William Henry to the French. The French were almost imposable beat in battle; this is mostly because of their war tactics. The French were influenced by the Indians a great deal, this is noticeable in the was that they where lightly clothed and armed. They also attacked from all sides and took great advantage in using all trees and bushes. For a while Britains luck was not look good in winning the land. But a British cabinet minister William Pitt helped change Britains luck.
Pitt assumed full control over Britains war efforts. He sent plenty of money and troops into North America and his efforts paid off. In the July of 1758 the British forces captures Louisbourg on Cape Brenton Island, which guarded the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Louisbourg fall meant that the British could control French supplies from reaching Canada. Soon after this the British once again work miracles in capturing Fort Frontenac on Lake Ontario. Once the British arrived at Fort Duquesne, the French blew up the fort rather than surrendering to the British. Once the Iraquois saw that British has defeated the French, the Iraquois reassessed their neutrality and lent spport to the British. With the Iraquois joining forces with the British the French lost their Indian allies in the Ohio Valley. The French soon after abandoned their remaining forts and they moved up to Canada.
French had nowhere to run for British forces followed them up to Quebec where once again the British conquered the French. This completed the war in North America although fighting remained in other parts of the world for two more years. In all the French and Indian War lasted for seven years making it known as the Seven years war. At first the British did not seem to have much of a chance seeing how the French used more of a guerilla warfare tactic. The British refused to surrender with their loses and eventually gained strength, eventually winning the war.
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