French+&+Indian+War

=French & Indian War= Fort Necessity was crude settlement created by the militia force under George Washington when he was sent to attack the French position at Fort Desquesne that was on the site of present day Pittsburg. This signified the beginning of the first lasting conflict in North America that brought out and publicized many issues later adressed in the Declaration of Independence. || ||
 * This was the first major conflict in North America. The first shots were fired at Fort Necessity in 1754 and lasted until 1763 when the Peace of Paris was signed. This is also sometimes referred to as the Seven Years' War and it officially lasted nine years.
 * The Peace of Paris transferred all French Territory in North America to Britain.This included everything east of the Mississippi River except Florida which was held by Spain and New Orleans which was given to Spain. This also ceded Canada and their claims in the West Indies and colonies in India. This officially ended French existence, under French rule, in North America. || [[image:http://www.american.edu/TED/ice/images4/kckbritish-era-1763-75.png width="451" height="265" align="center" caption="Territory Gains and/or Losses"]] ||
 * The British leadership in America was given to General Edward Braddock, but he suffered a humiliating defeat while trying to regain the area between the fork of the Ohio River, the same site of George Washington's defeat at Fort Necessity. After this the leadership then was taken over by English secretary of state William Pitt who transformed the war effort. He enacted policies such as immpressment of colonists and taking equipment and supplies from farmers and forcing colonists to harbor the troops. While this led to a victory militarily it led to riots of the colonists and a list of grievences. || [[image:Slide1.JPG width="351" height="225" align="center"]] ||
 * The increased contact between colonists and the French in the West that eventually led to the French and Indian War also sparked the colonies to propose their first plan for a union; The Albany Plan of Union. The plan was proposed by Benjamin Franklin and it called for a president general and a government created by parliament that was given powers to do things such as negotiate with the Native Americans. || [[image:http://www.freewebs.com/yamiaainferno/joinordie.jpg width="304" height="174" align="center" caption="Political Cartoon"]] ||