The French and Indian War set the stage for conflict between Britain and its American colonies. The war began in 1754 over land in western Pennsylvania between the French and British, and eventually involved fighting in both North America and Europe. Britain emerged victorious in 1763, gaining control of French territory in North America. However, this victory led to tensions as Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 to prevent colonial expansion westward and passed new taxes to pay off war debts, including the Sugar Act. The proclamation and taxes angered the colonists and protests began, setting the stage for the American Revolution.

1. American History Unit 1
Lecture 7
The Road to Conflict – Part I

2. The French and Indian War
The French and Indian
War
The French and Indian
War sets the stage for
conflict between Britain
and its American
Colonies
1

3. The French and Indian War
• 500 year old rivalry between Britain and
France comes to America
• Conflict begins over land in the area of
Western Pennsylvania
• Erupts into war between France and their
Indian allies and Britain, the Colonists, and
their Indian allies.
• Colonies want to expand West – French and
Indians resist

4. Course of the War
• France wins many early
battles; war is fought
both in Europe and N.
America
• George Washington, a
young Lieutenant fighting
for the British colonies,
loses one of the war’s
earliest skirmishes
• William Pitt, a British
politician turns the tide
of the War
2

5. The War Ends
• Powerful Iroquois join the side of the British
and Colonies
• The French city of Quebec is captured
• War lasts for 9 years, and includes fighting in
Europe.
• By 1763, French are defeated and lose
virtually all of their lands in North America!

6. 3.

7. Victory leads to conflict
The French and Indian War set the stage for
conflict between Britain and its American
Colonies
2 Key Reasons:
Proclamation of 1763
Increase in taxes to pay for war

8. Victory leads to Conflict
Proclamation of 1763
• After winning French and
Indian War, Britain wants
peace in the colonies
• PROCLAMATION OF 1763 –
Bans colonists from settling
West of the Appalachian
Mountains
• Hope to avoid further
conflict with Indians

9. Victory leads to Conflict
Proclamation of 1763
• Proclamation angered colonists
• Moved past line against wishes of
the British
• Colonists believe the line shows
the British don’t care about them

10. Victory leads to Conflict
British Expenses
Increased Taxes
• Britain had spent a lot of
money on the French and
Indian War
• National debt was doubled
• Keeping troops in the
colonies was expensive
• Britain begins cracking
down on smuggling by
American colonists
• British pass SUGAR ACT –
says smugglers will be tried
by British Courts – not
Colonial Courts
• Angers Colonists and
protests begin

11. 1. From http://ns1763.ca/remem/7yw-timelinew.html
2. From http://www.nebraskastudies.org
3. From http://jb-hdnp.org/