The French and Indian War The Ohio River Valley is the land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. The Native Americans that lived in the area began selling these lands to the British.

The French and Indian War The French were afraid the British were trying to take over the region. The French began building forts in the Ohio River Valley which the British saw as a threat. Conflict was coming!

The French and Indian War The first battle came in 1754 at Fort Duquesne (dooKain). The British sent a young George Washington to lead troops to force the French out of the Ohio River Valley.

The French and Indian War Washington defeated the French and renamed the fort, Fort Necessity. Soon however, the French returned attacking Washington. The French defeated Washington and reclaimed the fort.

The French and Indian War France had other early victories, many of which they won because of the help they received from their Native American allies such as the Huron. The French were winning the war!

The French and Indian War In 1757 the British leader, William Pitt, believed that the British could win if the British poured more money and troops into their efforts. The plan began to work immediately, and the British began taking back forts in the Ohio River Valley.

The French and Indian War The British also tried to get some Native Americans such as the Iroquois to help them fight the French. At first the Iroquois refused stating that they had not been treated well by the British.

The French and Indian War The British persuaded the Iroquois to change their minds by promising to keep the colonists away from Iroquois lands.

The French and Indian War The Iroquois helped the British defeat the French and the Huron in several important cities such as Quebec, and Montreal.

The French and Indian War In 1762, the war was ending. France gave Spain much of Louisiana in order to keep is out of Britain’s hands.

The French and Indian War In 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed between France and Great Britain. Great Britain gained all of France’s lands in the Ohio River Valley and Canada. Britain also gained the Spanish colony of Florida.

The French and Indian War In order to honor their agreement with the Iroquois, the British issued the Proclamation of 1763. The announcement stated that the colonists could not move into the Ohio River Valley and even sent troops to make sure the colonists stayed in the 13 colonies. The colonists were angry that they weren’t allowed to move into their newly gained lands.