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French and Indian War Facts

French and Indian War Facts
The French and Indian War, fought between Britain and France in North America between 1756 and 1763, is also often referred to as the Seven Years' War. France and Britain had already been struggling for control of land in North America, but when France expanded into the Ohio River in 1756, Britain declared war. The French and Indian War was part of a much greater struggle called the Second Hundred years' War that was fought in Europe. The main area where the French and Indian War was fought encompassed the region from Virginia to Nova Scotia. The war officially ended in 1763 when the Treaty of Paris was signed and Britain won the right to keep Canada.
Interesting French and Indian War Facts:
When the war began France controlled the Louisiana Territory and Canada.
The fighting between the French and the British began in 1754, but war was not officially declared until 1756.
The French and Natives of North America fought as allies against the British at the start of the French and Indian War.
By the time the war broke out France had gained control of most of eastern Canada.
Disputes over Ohio Territory sparked the beginning of the war.
English troops outnumbered the French when the war began. The Natives joined the French because they feared that Britain was going to gain control of their land.
The British were defeated many times by the French and the Natives in the first few years of the war.
In 1756 William Pitt became Britain's Secretary of State. This changed the course of the French and Indian War.
William Pitt allotted more resources to the British in North America. This led to the capture of several French forts.
Following William Pitts assignment at Secretary of State, he borrowed a lot of money to help pay for the cost of the war.
Many of the battles between the British and French that were fought on water were won by the British.
As the war went on the Natives began to abandon the French. This gave the British an advantage.
The British won the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. This meant that they occupied Quebec.
The following year the British gained control of Montreal and the French and Indian War was essentially over.
On February 10th, 1763 the Treaty of Paris was signed. This was the official end of the war, despite the fact that the battles had already ended.
With the signing of the Treaty of Paris, France officially gave all of its land in North America west of the Mississippi to Britain. They gained the Islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the treaty.
Following the French and Indian War the English colonists in North America no longer required help from the British against the French.
Because the French and Indian War was so expensive for the British, the British expected the colonies in North America to help cover the cost though taxes and other methods. This essentially led to another large war - the American Revolution.


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