The French And Indian War

955 Words2 Pages

The French and Indian War, was a war that lasted seven years in America and was part of a struggle between the balances of European powers in the Colonial period. The war took place mostly in America and mildly in Europe and involved France, England, Native American Indians, and others. The war started because England felt they needed to stop the French from gaining power and control over the territories and trading land that the British settled first, while the French fought for the respect of Indians and ownership of hunting areas. The British are justified in their choice to help keep order in the New World and spur growth in America. The battles were held over a large span of land from battles in Canada all the way through Louisiana past the Mississippi River. The war ended with the English control of America and sole power in the region after the war.

The conflict, which began in 1754, was mostly due to the overzealous and prideful French thinking the world was theirs for the taking and they wanted land for the fur trading business. As Moehl Mitchell, the author of Colonies Move Toward Independence says “The French were primarily interested in fur trading” (Mitchell). Unlike previous conflicts in the past between France and Britain, this one started in America. The Ohio Valley was the main starting point for the war. British and French soldiers started raise tensions and concerns over control of the Ohio Valley and whose territory it was. Because it was used by fur traders and merchants to gain access to cities and ports on the eastern coast the Ohio Valley was exceedingly important. During the time, the business of fur trading was very profitable. The Mississippi River Valley was another much sought after territory because ...

... middle of paper ...

...the hill off guard. In the battle that followed, both James Wolfe and the top French commander were killed. The British troops gained control over this important territory after winning the battle. The English continued to be successful in the war after that, conquering most territories in Canada as well. Ultimately the British gained sole control in America and the trading areas, and thus the French and Indian War came to a close in North American.

British forces were justified in defending the territories and trading lands since they colonized them first and had the social order in place years before the French showed up. The French, in their jealous minds wanted to have what the British had. Because of that jealous mindset they tried to just take areas and control fur trading lands just out of force. This led to the British defending the colonies and their homes.

Open Document