CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION:
(1760-1774)
Period 3 (1754-1800)
Key Concept 3.1:1 The competition among the British, French and American Indians for
economic and political advantage in North America culminated in the Seven Years’ (French and
Indian) War in which Britain defeated France and allied American Indians.
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French Fur Trade
early 1700s
THE FRENCH IN THE NEW WORLD
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THE FRENCH IN THE NEW WORLD
France Blossoms
a new era for France; strong leadership under ministers
and King Louis IV (1643-1715)
an interest in colonization
A Canadian Foothold
Quebec (1608); Samuel de Champlain – “Father of New France”
friendly relations with Huron Tribe; treaty to support fight
against Iroquois Nation
slow population growth; autocratic govt under King; few
economic opportunities…until
development of fur trade; French spread out following
water routes; Am Ind relations an economic asset.
Fur Trade
coureurs de bois: beaver trappers
voyageurs: Am Ind recruiters
(1693) Am Ind fur flotilla:
400 canoes arrive in Montreal
Catholic Missionaries
save Am Ind souls for Christ and from fur trappers
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A CLASH OF EMPIRES
King William’s War (1689-97);
Spain, France, England, Am Indians
Queen Anne’s War (1702-13);
King George’s War (1739-48)
competing economic interest start series of localized guerilla-like battles
escalating into war; pitting stakeholders against each other
Spain v. French v. British v. Am Inds for established trade
routes, fertile land and strategic locations
(1713) Spanish-French v. British peace terms
Salutary Neglect
a generation of peace follows; England relaxes its control over her Am Cols.
‘member this?
After Glorious Revolution, protests in New Eng over Navigation Laws;
Eng relaxes enforcement of laws; King appoints royal, corrupt, political
hacks as judges, clerks, customs officials
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A CLASH OF EMPIRES
Ohio Valley
strategic location; of interest to
French and British
skirmishes and raids increase
as settlement expands
British sense lack of colonial
military support and cooperation;
conflicts evolve into French and Indian War (1754-1763)
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A CLASH OF EMPIRES
Albany Congress (1754)
the need for colonial unity and cooperation
lack of military cooperation between the
colonies; wilderness skirmishes an
expensive hassle for British
need to better organize colonies for
protections against French; keep Iroquois
loyal to British
only northern cols send delegates to
Albany, NY
Benjamin
Franklin 1754
The Congress’ Proposal: a centralized government with limited powers
rejected by Am Cols
‘member this?
rejected by Eng Parliament
(1643) New England Confederation
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A WAR FOR CONTROL OF AN
NORTH AMERICAN EMPIRE
“winner-take-all”
The French and Indian War
(1754-1763)
turning point
(1759) Battle of Quebec
French flag flies over
Quebec for final time
(1763) Treaty of Paris
France displace from N America
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FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
Colonial Life Before The War
a generation of salutary neglect
we began to see a vision
of who we could be
elected colonial assemblies paid colonial taxes
established freedoms communication systems
space to grow natural resources and LAND
young, hard-working opportunistic population
no hereditary aristocracy social mobility
developing economy wealth
private ownership; negotiated contracts
“A Nation Within A Nation”
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FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
Restless Colonists After the War
20,000 colonists were under arms at war’s end
early war battles (Fr/Ind War) broke myth of British invincibility
meetings of Am Col soldiers and statement showed
the sharing of common language and values
Spanish, French and Am Inds threats reduced
French removal denies Am Inds allies against Am Col western expansion
…availability of western land
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Pontiac’s Rebellion
Am Inds in former French claimed territory feel anxiety over loss of their allies
The Indian tribes of the Ohio Valley were surprised and angered by the defeat of their French allies in the French and Indian War; the natives were in possession
of their homelands and had little feeling of loss during their association with Frenchmen. When word arrived in the Ohio Valley that the tribes were expected to
turn their loyalty to a new European monarch, George III of Britain, they were outraged. Native anger was understandable:
English dominance in North America meant the construction of new forts and the movement of new settlers into traditional Indian lands. The earlier French
presence had been slight and the relationship often harmonious.
British traders lacked the reputation for fairness in dealing with the Indians that had been the hallmark of the French. The natives had become dependent on
European firearms, ammunition and other manufactured goods, and were now forced to deal with untrustworthy English partners.
British arrogance was well-known among the Indians. The French in many instances had married native women and been adopted by the tribes. Few British
followed that example and many expressed utter contempt for the natives' lifeways and worth as human beings.
The resulting widespread unhappiness presented a platform for a native visionary, who was known simply as the Delaware Prophet. He preached ardently for a
return to traditional ways and for the rejection of contact with the British. This platform was soon adopted by the then undistinguished Ottawa chieftain, Pontiac
(c.1720-1769), who was known primarily for his oratorical skills and as a supporter of the French in the recent war. His message found sympathetic ears among
the Delaware, Seneca, Chippewa, Miami, Potawotomi and Huron, among others. The resulting conflict in the Ohio Valley has been labeled Pontiac’s
Rebellion.
A 1763 plot to take over Fort Detroit by subterfuge was foiled, but Pontiac led an attack against that installation in May and set up a siege. Later during the
summer, a British force attempted to free the fort by launching a surprise attack against Pontiac’s village. The plan was discovered and the attacking British
soldiers suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of Bloody Run (July 31, 1763). Pontiac continued his unsuccessful efforts at Detroit into November.
After 1764, Pontiac's influence among the tribes waned rapidly. He made recruiting trips into the South and West, but found few interested parties. In 1766,
Johnson managed to conclude a general peace treaty in which Pontiac received a pardon. He lived quietly for several more years before being killed by a fellow
Indian.
One of the prime results of Pontiac's Rebellion was the decision of British policymakers to issue the Proclamation of 1763, a measure designed to shut down
white settlement of the West until organizational reforms could be effected. American reaction to this measure was immediate and heated.
The terror generated on the frontier by the Indian attacks fostered much bitterness. A number of racial incidents occurred, including the brief appearance of the
Paxton Boys in Pennsylvania.
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Proclamation of 1763
settlement beyond App Mtns banned by Parliament to avoid Am Ind uprisings.
Angry Am Cols flout the policy
the stage is set…
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