This program covers the French and Indian War period, the years 1750-1763. The French and Indian War began in 1754.
The French and Indian War is a critical period in American colonial history. It resulted in Britain removing French colonies and posts from North America.
In 1750, France had a large trading system with Native Americans that stretched from the St. Lawrence River across Canada, the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi River to New Orleans.
However, the British were entering the Ohio Valley. George Croghan and Christopher Gist were founding trading posts at places like Logstown in Pennsylvania and Pickawillany in the Ohio country. By 1750, France and Britain are converging on the Forks of the Ohio, the site of modern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The French have built a chain of forts down from Lake Erie in 1753, including Fort Presque Isle, Fort Le Boeuf, and Fort Machault. In 1754, the British send George Washington to assist the Ohio Company in building a fort at the Ohio Forks.
However, when Washington is at Will's Creek, in Cumberland, Maryland, he learns that the Forks have been occupied by the French. He nevertheless presses on. He skirmishes with the French at Jumonville Glen, resulting in the death of Jumonville, a French official. The French and Indians counterattack, defeating Washington at Fort Necessity.
In 1755, the British attempt to take Fort Duquesne at the Forks of the Ohio. Braddock leads the redcoats through the woods, but they are destroyed.
The French and Natives, including Ojibwa, Ottawa, and Huron (Wyandot) warriors attack settlements in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
In 1757, the French general Montcalm takes Fort William Henry on Lake George in New York. An ambush on the retreating British en route to Fort Edward will be remembered in James Fenimore Cooper's "Last of the Mohicans."
In 1758, William Pitt, a British statesman, emerges as a major strategist. He presses for a three-pronged attack on the French, including a renewed effort against Fort Duquesne, a counterattack on Lake George and Lake Champlain, and an effort against Fortress Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island.
General Forbes secures Fort Duquesne, which will become Fort Pitt. General Amherst secures Louisbourg in Canada. However, Montcalm stops Abercromby (or Abercrombie) at Fort Carillon in New York.
1759 is the year of miracles for the British. Quebec falls to Wolfe.
In 1760, the British converge on Montreal. The Governor-General of Canada, Vaudreuil, surrenders.
The French and Indian War in North America is over. However, the Seven Year's War, as it is known in Europe, continues. Britain is sided with Prussia and Hanover, while France, Spain, Russia, Sweden, and Saxony are allied on the other side.
Fighting in the Americas continues in the Caribbean. Britain seizes French Guadeloupe and Martinique. Britain also seizes Havana in Cuba.
In 1763, George III assumes the throne. Peace is secured in Paris. Britain acquires French North America east of the Mississippi. Spain assumes France's western holdings and New Orleans. Britain returns Cuba to Spain, and the sugar islands also go back to France.
Pontiac leads an inter-tribal alliance against the British. Pontiac's Rebellion of 1763 sees many British forts under attack. Fort Detroit and Fort Pitt push back the attacks. However, George III wants peace. He issues a Proclamation of 1763 which forbids white settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains.
This film was created by Jeffrey Meyer, Librarian and Historian
Music Credits:
"A Ghost Town" by Quincas Moreira
"Dead Forest" by Brian Bolger
12 ноя 2022
