French And Indian War Essay
The French and Indian War was fought in North America from 1754 to 1763 as a part of the global conflict known as the Seven Years War, which involved many Great Powers of the 18th Century. The War was fought principally between the British, supported by the American colonists, and the French, supported by the Indians, over control of territories in North America. By the mid-1700’s, both the French and the British established extensive colonies in North America to take advantage of the land’s rich natural resources. The British colonies stretched along the East Coast, north from Canada and south to Virginia, while New France, the French-controlled lands, covered areas that were further inland, stretching from Louisiana to Canada with important
…show more content…
The British seemed unsuccessful in the early phases of the War, and repeatedly faced defeat by the French and their Indian allies. Later on, in 1757, when the British government asked William Pitt, a British cabinet member and Parliament leader, to take over the War, the tide of the battle turned. The French and Indian War was a defining moment in Colonial history as it is the first time that a global war begins in the New World before spilling over into Europe for the Seven Years War. This demonstrates that the Colonies had come to represent more than just an outlet for natural resources and were now a vital addition to their European counterparts. Pitt believed that control of North America was strategic to British success in the global war, and he took steps to ensure that Britain would not lose the French and Indian War. Pitt committed additional troops in North America, gave control of recruitment and supplies for the War to the Colonial forces and agreed to pay the Colonial troops for their service in the War. In the meantime, France was forced to concentrate its resources against Prussia and others who were fighting in the European theater of the Seven Years War, distracting France from their focus on defeating the British in North America. With additional troops and supplies, and a renewed sense of purpose from the Colonial armies,
The British seemed unsuccessful in the early phases of the War, and repeatedly faced defeat by the French and their Indian allies. Later on, in 1757, when the British government asked William Pitt, a British cabinet member and Parliament leader, to take over the War, the tide of the battle turned. The French and Indian War was a defining moment in Colonial history as it is the first time that a global war begins in the New World before spilling over into Europe for the Seven Years War. This demonstrates that the Colonies had come to represent more than just an outlet for natural resources and were now a vital addition to their European counterparts. Pitt believed that control of North America was strategic to British success in the global war, and he took steps to ensure that Britain would not lose the French and Indian War. Pitt committed additional troops in North America, gave control of recruitment and supplies for the War to the Colonial forces and agreed to pay the Colonial troops for their service in the War. In the meantime, France was forced to concentrate its resources against Prussia and others who were fighting in the European theater of the Seven Years War, distracting France from their focus on defeating the British in North America. With additional troops and supplies, and a renewed sense of purpose from the Colonial armies,