In this Grade 5 lesson from California myWorld Interactive, students learn how the French and Indian War began over competing British and French claims to the Ohio River valley and how American Indian allies, including the Iroquois, shaped the conflict's outcome. Students explore key vocabulary such as ally and treaty while tracing how British victories at Fort Duquesne, Quebec, and Montreal ultimately made Great Britain the dominant colonial power in North America. The lesson also examines the 1763 Treaty of Paris and Pontiac's resistance as consequences of the war's end.
Section 1
Cause of the War: The Ohio River Valley
In the mid-1700s, both Great Britain and France wanted control of the Ohio River Valley. British colonists were farmers who needed more land. They wanted to clear the forests to build new farms and towns for their growing colonies.
The French, however, had a different goal. They wanted to protect the forests for the valuable fur trade. Their business relied on trapping animals like beavers and trading with American Indian partners.
Section 2
Alliances in the War: American Indian Nations
As the French and British prepared for war, American Indian nations had to make a difficult choice. These groups were not united and had their own goals. Many chose to form alliances with the European power they believed would best help them protect their lands and way of life.
Many nations, like the Algonquin and Huron, sided with the French. The French were mainly interested in the fur trade and built fewer permanent settlements. However, the powerful Iroquois Confederacy had old rivalries with the Algonquin. They decided to ally with the British, hoping to gain an advantage over their enemies.
Section 3
The Course of the War: Britain's Victory
At the start of the war in 1754, the French and their American Indian allies were winning. They used their knowledge of the forests to surprise the British army. The British soldiers were not used to this style of fighting and suffered early defeats.
The war began to change when William Pitt became a leader in Great Britain. He sent more money, ships, and soldiers to fight in North America. With this new strength, the British army started capturing important French forts.
Section 4
The End of the War: The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris in 1763 officially ended the war. France gave Great Britain almost all of its land in North America. This meant the British now controlled the Ohio River Valley and the lands east of the Mississippi River.
This change angered many American Indian nations who had been allies with the French. They did not want British settlers moving onto their lands.
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Cause of the War: The Ohio River Valley
In the mid-1700s, both Great Britain and France wanted control of the Ohio River Valley. British colonists were farmers who needed more land. They wanted to clear the forests to build new farms and towns for their growing colonies.
The French, however, had a different goal. They wanted to protect the forests for the valuable fur trade. Their business relied on trapping animals like beavers and trading with American Indian partners.
Section 2
Alliances in the War: American Indian Nations
As the French and British prepared for war, American Indian nations had to make a difficult choice. These groups were not united and had their own goals. Many chose to form alliances with the European power they believed would best help them protect their lands and way of life.
Many nations, like the Algonquin and Huron, sided with the French. The French were mainly interested in the fur trade and built fewer permanent settlements. However, the powerful Iroquois Confederacy had old rivalries with the Algonquin. They decided to ally with the British, hoping to gain an advantage over their enemies.
Section 3
The Course of the War: Britain's Victory
At the start of the war in 1754, the French and their American Indian allies were winning. They used their knowledge of the forests to surprise the British army. The British soldiers were not used to this style of fighting and suffered early defeats.
The war began to change when William Pitt became a leader in Great Britain. He sent more money, ships, and soldiers to fight in North America. With this new strength, the British army started capturing important French forts.
Section 4
The End of the War: The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris in 1763 officially ended the war. France gave Great Britain almost all of its land in North America. This meant the British now controlled the Ohio River Valley and the lands east of the Mississippi River.
This change angered many American Indian nations who had been allies with the French. They did not want British settlers moving onto their lands.