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DBQ for Studying the French and Indian War
By: Daniel Burke
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Table of Contents:
Introduction……………………….. 3
Teacher Resources…………………4
Resource #1
Resource #2
Student Resources…………………5
Resource #1…………………..5
Resource #2…………………..6
Resource #3…………………..7
Resource #4…………………..8
Resource #5…………………..9
Resource #6…………………..10
Resource #7…………………..11
Resource #8…………………..12
Resource #9…………………..13
Resource #10…………………14
Resource #11…………………14
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Introduction:
This purpose of this DBQ is to present teachers with various resources to teach a
unit on the French and Indian War. This was a very important series of battles that were
fought on, both, American and Canadian soil and should not be looked at lightly. It’s
very much responsible for shaping North America. The resources are mainly taken from
the Internet, which is the medium that students are very used to using in today’s society.
With each class, another resource could be presented to the students with the
accompanying questions. This would test their knowledge up to that point. The
accompanying questions cause the students to think deeply about various aspects of the
paintings and the quotes shown to them. By the end of the unit the students should be
able to write a clear and coherent essay on what they have learned.
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Resources for Teachers:
Resource #1:
Brumwell, S. Paths of Glory: The Life and Death of General James Wolfe.
McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal & Kingston, 2006.
This is an excellent source in teaching about the life of James Wolfe. It begins
with information regarding the start of his military career, continues to analyze the
different battles that he had fought, contains quotes given by himself and those who were
close to him, and talks about the legacy that he had left. It’s quite concise and an easy
read. The students would be able to write an essay on one of the chapters in this book
towards the end of the unit.
Resource #2:
Borneman, W. The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America.
Harper Perennial: New York, 2006.
This is another excellent source for teaching the French and Indian War. This
book is also very concise and gives a good overall view of the main events and battles
during this War.
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Resources for Students:
Resource #1:
Canada: A People’s History- The Plains of Abraham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDRFHScDgGU
This is an interesting video, released by Canada: A People’s History that could be
very useful in introducing the French and Indian War to a classroom in a visual manner.
It’s only 10 minutes in length so it could definitely be used as an intensifier to topic of the
Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which was one of the most significant and decisive
battles fought during the French and Indian War.
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George Washington, on horseback, at the Battle of the
Monongahela, at Fort Duquesne, in 1755.
Resource #2:
1. Without knowing the title of this painting, how would you describe the event that
happened in this scene? Defend your answer.
2. Describe how you feel when you see this image.
3. What type of atmosphere is created through the artist’s choice in colors in this
work?
4. What groups of people are depicted in the painting?
5. What are some characteristics that define the different groups?
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Resource #3:
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham
1. What does this painting tell us of the spirit of the British military?
2. How many different military regiments can be seen in this painting? Explain the
differences.
3. What are some of the emotions that the artist tried to convey in the men in this
painting?
4. How do you feel when you look at this painting?
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Resource #4:
The Death of General James Wolfe
By: Benjamin West
1. Do you think that James Wolfe is portrayed as being a martyr in this painting?
How so?
2. What other image does this painting remind you of? (Perhaps a biblical one)
3. Who might the other characters in the painting be?
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Resource #5:
The Victory of Montcalm’s Troops at Carillon
by: Alexander Ogden
1. What is the significance behind the colors of the flags carried by this army?
2. What are some distinguishing features among the soldiers, seargents, and officers
in this painting?
3. What does this painting tell us of the French military in the 18th century?
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Resource #6:
The Descent of the French on St. John's,
Newfoundland, 1762
1. Describe some characteristics of the scenery represented in the drawing.
2. Why would this be a harsh terrain for a battle? Explain.
3. What was the outcome of this battle?
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Resource #7:
Final Siege of the Fortress of Louisbourg, 1758
1. What may have happened to the ship on the left side of this drawing?
2. Is this an English or a French vessel?
3. Does the harbour seem to be well defended?
4. What was the outcome and overall significance of this siege?
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Resource #8:
The French and Indian War
1. What is the message presented in this painting?
2. What does the artist’s use of color have in connection with the event?
3. What is the significance of the horses in the battle?
4. What is the soldier on the right hand corner of the painting doing? How is this
useful to the opposing force? (When one man is shot down, or even badly
wounded it would usually take one or two men to carry him off the field.
This can prove very useful to the opposing force.)
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Resource #9:
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The Treaty of Paris
Write a short essay on the importance of the Treaty of Paris and give some
examples of its lasting impact in history.
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Resource #10: From the popular ballad “The Death of General Wolfe”
Taken from “Paths of Glory: The Life and Death of General James Wolfe”
“So let all commanders do as I have done before,
Be a soldier’s friend, be a soldier’s friend,
My boys they’ll fight for evermore”
1. What does this poem tell us of General Wolfe’s determination?
2. What purpose could this poem have been created for?
3. After having some knowledge of General Wolfe’s life, is it possible that the
words in this poem could be his own? Explain.
Resource #11: A Poem by General Montcalm Himself
Taken from “The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America”
“To whom belongs this victory?
Commander? Soldier? Abatis?
Behold God’s sign! For only He
Himself hath triumphed here”.
1. What does this poem tell us about General Montcalm?
2. When could this poem have been written?
3. What audience would this poem be directed to? Is it meant for motivation or was
it written for himself?