The French and Indian War

Summary

This video delves into the French and Indian War, a pivotal conflict in North American history that shaped the future of the continent. It explores the origins of the war, rooted in territorial disputes between the British and French over the Ohio Country, and highlights key figures like George Washington. The video recounts significant battles, the impact of the war on colonial relations with Britain, and its role as a precursor to the American Revolution. It also touches on the global context of the Seven Years' War and the Treaty of Paris, which ended the conflict and transferred New France to Britain.

Takeaways

• 😀 George Washington was a key figure in early American history, serving as a Founding Father, the first President of the United States, and a military leader during the American Revolution.
• 🏰 The French and Indian War, fought in North America, was a significant precursor to the Seven Years' War, a global conflict involving major European powers.
• 🌍 The war was partly driven by disputes over control of the Ohio Country, a region that was rich in resources and strategically important for both the French and British.
• ✍️ Washington's early military career was marked by controversy, including an incident where he signed a document admitting to the death of a French official under disputed circumstances.
• 🔍 The script explores the complex web of alliances, territorial claims, and colonial ambitions that set the stage for conflict between the French and British in North America.
• 🛡️ Military tactics played a crucial role in the conflict, with traditional European strategies clashing with the guerrilla tactics employed by the French and their Native American allies.
• 🏟️ The script describes key battles and sieges, such as the sieges of Forts Necessity, Duquesne, and Quebec, which were pivotal in determining the outcome of the war.
• 🏛️ The Treaty of Paris in 1763 marked the end of the French and Indian War, with France ceding its North American territories to Britain, a decision that had profound implications for the future of the colonies.
• 🗣️ The war's impact on colonial relations with Britain was significant, sowing the seeds of discontent that would later blossom into the American Revolution.
• 🔄 The script highlights the roles of various historical figures, including Benjamin Franklin and William Pitt, who influenced the course of the war and the development of the United States.

Q & A

Who was George Washington before becoming the first President of the United States?

Before becoming the first President, George Washington was a Founding Father, the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and a military officer involved in the French and Indian War.

What was the significance of Ohio County during the French and Indian War?

Ohio County was a valuable trade route for the French and a strategic location for the British to access lands west of the original 13 colonies. Both sides felt they had a legitimate claim to the area, which led to tensions and conflicts.

What was the role of George Washington in the early stages of the French and Indian War?

George Washington was sent by Virginia's lieutenant governor to deliver a message to the French to leave the area and stop harassing English settlers. Later, he was involved in the construction of Fort Necessity and led troops in battles against French forces.

Why was the document signed by George Washington considered a confession to the assassination of a French official?

The document, which Washington signed under the belief that it was a surrender term, included a line taking responsibility for the death of French officer Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who was killed in a battle. The French insisted that Jumonville was attempting to negotiate peace, not attack the fort.

How did the French and Indian War set the stage for the American Revolution?

The French and Indian War led to Britain's increased taxation on the colonies to recoup wartime expenses, which in turn led to resentment among the colonists. This resentment, along with a lack of representation, eventually contributed to the calls for independence and the American Revolution.

What was the Albany Plan of Union and why was it significant?

The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal by Benjamin Franklin for a unified government for the 13 colonies to better coordinate defense against the French. It was significant as it was an early attempt at colonial unity, which would later be a key factor in the American Revolution.

Who were some of the key military figures on the British side during the French and Indian War?

Key British military figures included General Edward Braddock, who led the initial forces into the Ohio country, and later, General Jeffrey Amherst, who played a crucial role in the British victories towards the end of the war.

What was the outcome of the Battle of the Monongahela for George Washington?

In the Battle of the Monongahela, George Washington, who was then a colonial officer, witnessed the death of General Braddock and the defeat of British forces. Washington managed a tactical retreat and was recognized for his bravery, earning him the title 'hero of the Monongahela'.

How did the Treaty of Paris in 1763 affect the territorial claims of France and Britain in North America?

The Treaty of Paris in 1763 resulted in France ceding all its territories in North America to Britain, with the exception of New Orleans, which was given to Spain. This significantly reduced French influence in the New World.

What was the role of Native American tribes in the French and Indian War?

Native American tribes played a significant role as allies to both the French and British, often fighting alongside them. Their knowledge of the terrain and warfare tactics were crucial in many engagements during the war.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 George Washington's Early Military Career and the Prelude to the French and Indian War

The paragraph delves into the multifaceted roles of George Washington, highlighting his significance as a Founding Father, the first President of the United States, and his military leadership during the American Revolution. It intriguingly suggests a lesser-known narrative where Washington is implicated in the start of a multi-continental war over Ohio. The discussion pivots to his early military experiences, particularly his command during a battle that resulted in the death of a French official under contentious circumstances. This event, shrouded in controversy, is detailed through Washington's own admission documented in a signed confession, despite claims of being misinformed about its content. The paragraph sets the stage for the French and Indian War, emphasizing the geopolitical tensions between the British and French over territorial claims in the Americas, with a specific focus on Ohio County's strategic importance for both empires.

05:02

🛡 The Escalation of Conflicts and the Initial Engagements of the French and Indian War

This section narrates the escalating tensions between the French and British in North America, leading to the outbreak of the French and Indian War. It describes the French efforts to assert control over the Ohio River Valley, prompting a response from the British. The narrative focuses on the actions of Captain Pierre Joseph Celeron and the subsequent British retaliation led by a young George Washington. Washington's mission to deliver an ultimatum to the French and the events leading to the construction of Fort Necessity are detailed. The paragraph culminates in the engagement between Washington's forces and a French detachment, resulting in a French officer's death and setting the stage for further military confrontations.

10:03

⚔️ The French and Indian War Intensifies: Fort Necessity and its Aftermath

The paragraph describes the events following the skirmish between Washington's forces and the French, leading to the Battle of Fort Necessity. It details the construction of the fort by Washington and the subsequent French retaliation led by Captain L Kon. The account of the battle, the conditions of Washington's surrender, and the controversial document he signed admitting to the assassination of a French official are highlighted. The narrative explores the immediate aftermath, including Washington's return and the differing perceptions of him in Britain and France. It also touches on the broader geopolitical implications, with the French using Washington's confession to garner support for the war and the British beginning to recognize the inevitability of conflict with France.

15:04

🏞️ The Albany Plan and the Expanding Conflict in North America

This section discusses the Albany Plan of Union, proposed by Benjamin Franklin as a solution to the growing military threat from the French. It outlines the plan's aim to create a unified government for the British colonies in North America with the power to raise a continental army and taxes. The paragraph also covers the initial British military campaigns in North America, including the failed efforts to secure the Ohio country and the death of General Edward Braddock. It highlights the impact of these events on colonial attitudes towards unity and the need for a collective defense against the French.

20:05

🛳️ Naval Battles and the Shifting Tides of the French and Indian War

The paragraph details the British naval strategy during the French and Indian War, focusing on the failed attempt to attack Louisbourg and the subsequent victories that began to turn the tide in Britain's favor. It discusses the impact of political and military leadership changes in Britain, including the appointment of William Pitt, and the effects of French financial crises on their war efforts. The narrative covers key battles and sieges, such as the capture of Fort Frontenac and Fort Duquesne, which were pivotal in securing the Ohio country for the British. The paragraph concludes with the eventual British victory at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and the fall of Quebec, leading to the end of the war in North America.

25:07

🏹 The End of the French and Indian War and its Long-term Consequences

This section summarizes the final stages of the French and Indian War, leading to the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which resulted in France ceding its North American territories to Britain. It discusses the war's impact on the relationship between the British government and its colonies, sowing the seeds of discontent that would later lead to the American Revolution. The paragraph highlights how the war's outcome and the subsequent British policies, particularly regarding taxation, contributed to the growing sense of resentment among the colonists and the eventual push for independence.

Keywords

💡Founding Father

A Founding Father refers to the individuals who were influential in the founding of the United States, often through significant political leadership during the American Revolution. In the video, George Washington is described as a Founding Father, highlighting his role as a key figure in the establishment of the United States and his early military leadership during the French and Indian War.

💡Continental Army

The Continental Army was the army formed by the thirteen American colonies to fight against the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. The video mentions George Washington as the commander of the Continental Army, emphasizing his military command during the struggle for American independence.

💡American Revolution

The American Revolution, also known as the American War of Independence, was the conflict in which the Thirteen Colonies won their independence from Great Britain, leading to the establishment of the United States. The video connects George Washington's early military experiences to his later role in the Revolution, illustrating the trajectory of his leadership.

💡Seven Years' War

The Seven Years' War was a global conflict that involved most of the world's great powers at the time and was fought in various theaters around the world. The video discusses the French and Indian War as part of the larger Seven Years' War, showing how events in North America were connected to global politics.

💡French and Indian War

The French and Indian War was the North American theater of the Seven Years' War and was fought between the French and British, along with their respective Native American allies. The video focuses on this conflict, detailing how it was a precursor to the American Revolution and how it shaped the future of North America.

💡Ohio Country

The Ohio Country was a term used in the 18th century for a region of land west of the Appalachian Mountains and north and west of the Ohio River. In the video, the Ohio Country is highlighted as a contested area between the French and British, which became a flashpoint for conflict in the French and Indian War.

💡George Washington

George Washington is a central figure in the video, known for his role as the first President of the United States and as a military leader. The script describes his early military experiences, including his involvement in the French and Indian War, which laid the groundwork for his later leadership during the American Revolution.

💡Fort Necessity

Fort Necessity was a makeshift fortification built by George Washington during the French and Indian War. The video recounts the battle at Fort Necessity, where Washington's forces were defeated, leading to his signing a document that the French used to justify their claims against him.

💡Treaty of Paris (1763)

The Treaty of Paris in 1763 marked the end of the Seven Years' War, with France ceding its territories in North America to Britain. The video mentions this treaty as a significant outcome of the war, which had lasting effects on the political landscape of North America and contributed to tensions leading up to the American Revolution.

💡Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is mentioned in the video as a figure who proposed the Albany Plan of Union, an early attempt to unify the British colonies in North America. His ideas, though not successful at the time, are noted for their influence on later colonial unity and the formation of the United States.

💡Albany Plan of Union

The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal to create a unified government for the British colonies in North America. The video discusses this plan as an early attempt at colonial unity, which, although it failed, foreshadowed the need for cooperation among the colonies that would later lead to the formation of the United States.

Highlights

George Washington's early military involvement in the French and Indian War played a pivotal role in shaping his future leadership.

The French and Indian War was a global conflict that began with a dispute over control of Ohio.

Washington's controversial actions during the war, including the death of a surrendering French official, had lasting political repercussions.

Washington's confession to the death of French officer Jumonville was signed under disputed circumstances, suggesting possible deception by his translator.

The French and Indian War is considered a precursor to the Seven Years' War, involving major European powers and altering global alliances.

The war highlighted the strategic importance of North America, particularly the Ohio River Valley, for both French and British colonial ambitions.

Washington's military tactics and leadership during the construction and defense of Fort Necessity demonstrated his early military prowess.

The conflict led to the rise and fall of military figures, including generals who resigned in disgrace due to failed campaigns.

The war resulted in significant territorial changes, with thousands of miles of land exchanging hands between European powers.

The French and Indian War set the stage for the founding of the United States and the emergence of its early leaders.

The Albany Plan of Union, proposed by Benjamin Franklin, was a significant political outcome of the war, although it was not immediately adopted.

The war exposed the limitations of British military strategy, particularly in adapting to guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the French and Native Americans.

The conflict had a profound impact on the relationships between Native American tribes, French, and British forces, influencing future alliances and conflicts.

The war's outcome led to a shift in the balance of power in North America, with Britain emerging as the dominant colonial power.

The Treaty of Paris in 1763 marked the end of the French and Indian War and had lasting effects on colonial relations and the path to American independence.

The war's financial burden on Britain contributed to the imposition of taxes on its American colonies, sowing the seeds of the American Revolution.

Transcripts

George Washington was many things a

Founding Father the first United States

President the commander of the

Continental Army during the American

Revolution and a British assassin

responsible for starting a

multi-continental war over control of

Ohio that might sound like the tagline

of a Cheesy alternate history novels

that you shove aside in search of

something more believable but depending

on who you ask it may actually have the

tiniest bit of truth to it Washington

wasn't an assassin in the traditional

sense but in his youth he was the

commanding officer during a battle where

a surrendering French official was

killed through what many at the time

considered to be dishonorable means if

you think that this is simply too

unbelievable to be true you should know

that Washington actually signed a

document himself admitting to it this

confession was not written directly by

his hands nor was it in a language that

he could read but he still signed it and

that had major consequences until his

dying day Washington maintains that his

translation at the time had lied to him

and as a result he was not aware of what

he was signing but whether or not that

part is true doesn't change the fact

that that little piece of paper would go

on to play a significant role in world

politics in fact some historians credit

for being one of the main justifications

of a war that would not only change

lines on a map but also bring the

largest European powers to one another's

throats once again alliances would be

forged and broken generals would rise

and resign in disgrace countries would

see thousands of miles of territory

exchange hands and if all of that wasn't

enough it would also set the stage for

the founding of the United States and

introduce some of its most well known

names as a whole this global conflict

would come to be known as the Seven

Years War but it is the battles that

were fought in North America that we're

going to be focusing on in today's video

a conflict that is known as the French

and Indian War and yes I did say that

this all started overate disagreement

involving

Ohio today the United Kingdom and France

are as Allied as any two separate

countries can be and war between them

seems almost unimaginable however there

was a time not so long ago when the two

were the bitterest of enemies for

centuries War had been waged over

everything from territorial disputes to

religious Doctrine and even in times of

relative peace small skirmishes were

more than common at this point in

history when colonialism was quickly

becoming as popular as powdered wigs and

tea the two were once again beginning to

buttheads this time it was over their

new prized possession the Americas by

then both countries had settled in the

new worlds and had spent over a century

attend in to secure as much land for

themselves as possible the French

controlled parts of modern day Canada

primarily New Brunswick and Ne Scotia as

well as parts of Louisiana Mississippi

and Alabama the British on the other

hand had their prized 13 colonies along

the United States's Eastern Seaboard all

the areas in between these two Colonial

powerhouses were controlled by numerous

Native American tribes scouted

throughout although for the Colonials

these lands might as well have been

uninhabited as the American presence was

often seen as just a minor side note for

their future plans one of those hotly

contested in between lands was what is

now modern day Ohio centuries before it

would be known for the Rock and Roll

Hall of Fame and boring Suburban

afternoons Ohio was known as Ohio County

and it consisted of the entirety of

modern day Ohio as well as parts of

Indiana Pennsylvania and West Virginia

for the French this area was a valuable

trade route that connected their

colonies in modernday Canada to the ones

in and around Louisiana and for the

British it was seen as the best route to

access any and all lands west of the

original 13 colonies to complicate

things both sides felt that they had a

legitimate claim to the area and in the

mid 1750s they were beginning to press

those claims French colonies based

theirs on the explorations of Rene Rober

cavaler sir de Lal who had traveled up

the Mississippi claiming all of the

lands that surrounded as well as any of

its tributaries for those of you

unfamiliar with the size and location of

the Mississippi River it is the 13th

largest river in the world and stretches

2,340 mi from the Gulf of Mexico All the

Way North to the Great Lakes the river

touches 13 of the 50 modern American

States and its tributaries cross 32 of

them while this may seem to be quite a

silly Claim by the French the British

were certainly no less ambitious in the

early 17th century an English Royal

Charter based off the explorations of J

cabit it granted all lands in between

the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans as

well as north of Spanish controlled

Florida to their own colonies this claim

would have given control of roughly 85%

of the modern United States to Britain

after these obviously conflicting claims

were formalized became only a matter of

time before the two would once again

have to settle the disput the only way

they knew how with

[Music]

war the first real sign of the problems

to come was when the governor general of

New France Marque Deen dispatched

Captain Pierre Joseph Celeron Blain to

an area south of the Great Lakes Tan's

orders were to rid the area of British

settlers and Traders when the captain

arrived he demanded that they lower

their flags and leave the area but when

they did not immediately comply he began

taking much harsher actions against them

in 1752 the captain marched his forces

into the British Trading Post located in

Pani and destroyed it the French

soldiers then proceeded to capture or

kill any English-speaking traders that

they could find anywhere along the Ohio

river in response to this obvious

escalation Virginia's lieutenant

governor Robert dwy began searching for

a representative he could travel the

distance into Pennsylvania and order the

French out of the area the man he chose

was none other than the 21-year-old 6'2

major George Washington Washington was

the obvious choice as Not only was he a

military man from a well-connected and

influential family but he had also spent

a considerable amount of time working as

a land surveyor in the Ohio River Valley

years earlier in order to encourage

settlement of the Oho country the high

company was founded and granted over

200,000 acres of land between the kanir

and the monila rivers Washington's

family as well as the families of

Governor D witty and several of the

prominent Virginians were shareholders

in the Ohio company and had a

significant financial interest in

securing the lands on which the French

were now encroaching Washington was

ordered to deliver a simple message to

the French leave the area and stop

harassing the English settlers so in

1753 Washington along with his friends

Jacob van Bram and a French translator

employed by the Ohio company Christopher

gist set out to speak with Captain

legado desier two months later in

December they arrived and delivered the

message but it was Ill received

thankfully for the future United States

President the captain did not feel the

need to shoot the messenger and

Washington was permitted to leave with a

reply for his Governor it stated that

France's claim was incontestable and far

superior Washington delivered the

message to Governor Den witty who was

disappointed although probably not

exactly surprised by the Frenchman's

response unwilling to back down dwy

ordered the construction of a fort where

the alagen and the Mona Halo Rivers

converged this would be modern day

Pittsburgh on March the 15th of the

following year he dispatched Washington

and won 160 men under the control of

Colonel Joshua fry to re Force the

troops who had already begun building

the fort however before fry and his men

could arrive or the fort could be

completed French troops overwhelmed and

occupied the land on which it stood they

took the fort completed it and renamed

it Fort duen as Colonel fry landed on

his neck after being thrown from the

back of his horse he died shortly after

from injury and the young inexperienced

George Washington suddenly found himself

thrust into a position of leadership

when he learns of the French's newly

completed Fort Washington moved his men

for 40 m South to an area known as the

Great Meadows and ordered the

construction of his own fort which he

cheekily called Fort Necessity it was a

small hastily erected structure that was

barely more than a one room Shack

surrounded by a log Palisade but

Washington felt it would be sufficient

for simple defensive purposes until

reinforcements could arrive from

Virginia it was at this time while

Washington and his men were anxiously

awaiting those reinforcements that a

Native American leader known to the

British as half King whose real name was

tanak Harrison approached Washington and

warned him that 35 French troops were

moving South toward Fort Necessity

Tanner Harrison urged Washington

desperately to strike first and offered

the support of his small group of men if

you were to agree after much

deliberation Washington did and he along

with 40 of his men and a dozen of Tanner

Harrison's men began traveling north to

intercept the French troops on the

morning of May the 28th 1754 the two

groups made contact now what exactly

happened next was and still is heavily

disputed both sides met on a small and

claimed that the other fired the first

shot Washington insisted that the French

spotted them as they were approaching an

open fire while the French maintains

that Washington's men ambushed them in

the early hours of the morning

regardless of which side is to be

believed the British were easily able to

overpower the smaller French force and

in the end 10 French soldiers were

killed with the rest being captured

Joseph Kul deil was the leader of the

French party and among the captured

Washington honorably extended to him the

customary courtesies that were afforded

to Military Officers at the time and

began trying to speak with jonville with

the aid of a translator suddenly without

warning Tanner Harrison approached jimil

from behind and buried his Tomahawk deep

into the unsuspecting man's head his

exact reasons for doing this like so

many other things involved in this short

altercation were never made clear it's

believed that the French had captured

him as a child and sold him into slavery

but Tanner Harrison also claims that the

French had boiled his father alive and

eaten him that last part in particular

does sound a bit hard to believe but

knowing how terrible conditions can be

for those living under the occupation of

another Nation it certainly also just

not outside the realm of possibility

Washington parted ways with Tanner

Harrison and returned back to Fort

Necessity where he continued to wait for

reinforcements as well as retaliation

from the French and both would arrive

very shortly back at foren Captain L Kon

half brother of the Slaine jumonville

learns of the group's defeat and vow to

exact revenge for his Fallen brother the

fort's new Commander Claude Pierre

picardi de Contra ordered kulon Viller

to attack Fort Necessity with a force of

600 men they left and along the way

gathered another 100 Native Americans to

aing the assault while all of this was

being put into motion Washington

received his reinforcements from

Virginia and North Carolina but still

only had around 400 men in total on the

3rd of July Kier arrived outside for

necessity and Washington ordered his men

to find cover fighting in and he quickly

found himself unable to land many blows

against the French who fired upon his

men from the nearby Tree Line finally

after heavy fighting and watching his

men fall in number all around him

Washington ordered his remaining men to

take shelter within the fort itself as

they quickly crammed into this small

rickety structure the French continued

to fire upon the fort without entering

heavy Reigns set in and soiled the

fort's gunpowder reserves and soaked the

men to the Bone despite Washington's

orders not to they broke into the

alcohol reserves and began drinking as

they awaited their deaths all seemed to

be lost for the young leader until all

at once the firing stopped and a voice

called out to them asking for a baray

Washington who saw a few other options

agreed and sent men to speak with the

French Commander they quickly returned

with a letter detailing the terms of

surrender Washington and his men would

be allowed to leave with their military

honor intact and flying the British flag

so long as he agreed to peacefully

surrender and vacate Port necessity now

remember when I said at the beginning of

this video that Washington would sign a

document admitting to the assassination

of a French official well this is that

document buried deep within the terms of

surrender was a single line that took

responsibility for the slaying of

Ambassador jumal Ville who the French

insisted was not on his way to attack

the fort but instead negotiate peace

after this Revelation Washington later

believed that he may have been deceived

by his once's ally the half King who was

attempting to escalate tensions between

the British and the French for his own

trib's benefit no knows for sure the

truth is just lost to history Washington

and his troops are return home expecting

the worst but to their surprise

Washington was not blamed for the defeat

Governor din witty instead blamed it on

the lack of troops and poor support from

other forces he believed that the young

major had done everything in his power

but was simply overwhelmed by the

French's numbers in his journal

Washington wrote a detailed account of

the events that had transpired which was

soon published in both Virginia and

London eventually it was reprinted in

newspaper papers all across Britain and

America earning him a positive

reputation and garnering him praise for

bravery while in the face of certain

defeat however Washington was not

satisfied with his performance he

resigned from his position shortly after

in France Washington was becoming famous

for a different reason they believed him

to be a dishonorable failure and used

his signed confession to drum up support

for a war that may have already begun

without anyone even realizing it

around this time French regulars and

their Native American Allies had begun

pushing into British territory and many

colonists could already see the writing

on the wall war with France was

inevitable seeing as it would take quite

some time for reinforcements to arrive

from overseas many believed that

something needed to be done locally

within the colonies to prevent This

Disaster it was because of this need

that representatives from seven of the

13 original colonies met at Albany to

discuss what would later be known as the

Albany Plan of Union the man who forms

this plan was yet another familiar name

in American history Benjamin Franklin

Franklin knew that if the colonies did

not stand together they would most

likely be crushed by the more united

French forces to stress this he created

the famous Join or Die illustration in

it Franklin depicted a snake having been

cut into eight pieces with each piece

labeled with the initials of one of the

British colonies or regions Franklin's

solution was to EST establish a unified

government for the 13 colonies that

would have the power to organize and

coordinate a United continental army

that would be paid for buy taxes

collected from Colonial citizens it was

sensible but as history tells us time

and time again people are often not the

proposal was met with mixed reactions

was ultimately rejected the colonies

were simply not ready to unify they had

no real military alliances no sense of

shared identity and very few of their

goals aligned but the largest issue was

that most Representatives did not like

the idea of taxes being collected from a

centralized colonial government if

anyone in Britain had been paying

attention they might have realized that

Americans really don't like paying taxes

and it might have saved them a few

headaches a bit down the

line finally after almost a full year of

waiting British forces arrived on the

coast of North America under the

commands of General Edward bradock

bradock had been sent with two regiments

to lead a Virginia Force to secure the

Ohio country his plan was to March

roughly 100 miles across the alagan

mountains to launch an attack against

the same French Fort that Washington had

failed to capture a year earlier Fort D

Ken in conjunction with this

Massachusetts governor William Shelly

was ordered to oversee the fortification

of British Fort Oso before attacking the

French fort for Niagara similar attacks

were plans on Fort Frederick by Sir

William Johnson and Fort BOS Shaw by

Lieutenant Colonel Robert monton General

bradock himself was well respected and a

very traditional fighter he believed

strongly in the idea of honorable

Warfare and AD heed strictly to the

rules of combat in his opinion wars were

better fought out in the open and in

straight line a tactic that worked well

in the open ples on which European

battles were often fought many of his

advisers including our good old buddy

George Washington who had volunteered to

be Brad's assistant during the journey

tried to warn the general that the

Native Americans had been teaching their

style of gorilla Warfare to the French

and that he should expect them to use it

bradoock refused to listen as he didn't

believe that the French would be willing

to stoop to such a level on May the 29th

1755 breant his force of approximately

2,200 troops set out from Fort

Cumberland and on July the 9th after

over a month of rough travel they

arrived within 10 miles of their target

as they approached Lieutenant Colonel

Thomas Gage spotted the French in the

trees and ordered his men to open fire

their opening blees succeeded in killing

French Captain Bou but that would be one

of the few British accomplishments that

day just as Washington had predicted the

Native Americans had been lying in

weight and had surrounded them around

900 French troops and Indian fighters

leapt from the bushes and pivoted out

from behind trees to launch arrows and

fire bullets at Brock's neatly organized

line of troops even after seeing this

bradic refused to allow his men to break

formation but the Virginians who were

not trained to stand their ground under

far the way the British regulars were

fled into the woods and attempted to

take cover many of them were mistaken

for enemy Fighters and killed by their

own men within a single hour of fighting

General bradock had been shot and

Washington once again found himself

leading a group of men to assault Fort

to Ken but as the battle raged on he

realized that his men were completely

beaten and he began organizing a

tactical Retreat this was a crushing

defeat over 500 British men had been

killed and hundreds more had been C

captured the French casualties were a

fraction of that as they retreated back

through the mountains the Red Coats were

constantly harassed by Native Americans

who followed closely behind raiding and

looting the soldiers the entire way for

his bravery Washington was dubbed the

hero of the monaha however this was of

little consolation as Brad's Army whom

the Colonials had been waiting for for

so long was now just a wounded fraction

of its former self

on the 18th of May 1756 Britain forly

declared war on France and as the

various European powers began to take

sides they passed several acts in

preparation for Wars all across the

globe these acts called for the

recruitment of new infantries and navies

as well as allowed for the Looting of

captured French ships back in America

Governor William shley had temporarily

taken command following the death of

General bradock but his plans to take

Fort Niagara had failed in fact

everything that had been planned earlier

that year had failed save for the taking

of fort bour by Colonel Robert monton in

July General John Campbell ear of Lon

replaced William Shirley and assumed

control of all British forces in North

America he proved to be an unpopular

leader among the Colonials as he

temporarily closed all British ports to

prevent them from Trading with enemy

Merchants by September Lord luden began

preparing a plan of attack against the

French he intended to draw their focus

away from the Ohio country by

threatening Quebec the capital city of

New France from the north he knew that

if he simply held his defensive

positions along the frontier he would

eventually be able to force the French

to pull their forces from around the

Great Lakes at that time luden would

Advance his own troops and capture the

weakened forts effectively securing the

entire Ohio country and severing new

France's supply lines from the south

Blan was not a bad one it could have

worked the entire War itself could have

ended very soon after however because of

the political turmoil that surrounded

the larger seven years war in Europe he

did not receive approval for his plan

until the following year that meant for

over 6 months Lord lud was forced to sit

on his hands and wait while the French

continued to push Eastward during this

time he worked with the provincial

governors of the 13 colonies to bolster

their defenses along the frontier but

they continued to suffer heavy losses

when a reply finally arrived Lon found

that his plan had been heavily altered

now instead of attacking new France's

Capital he was to launch a coastal

attack against Lewis Bor using a

squadron of ships under the command of

rear Admiral Francis hbor during the

confusion and reorganization the French

Court wind of this plan and by April had

sent reinforcements of their own from

nearby ports to Aid in lure Borg's

defense now seeing as both sides had

amassed great naval fleets the stage was

set for a truly epic battle but

unfortunately for the British a number

of setbacks would cause severe issues

for them an outbreak of tyus caused much

of orban's Fleet to be ported and as a

result Sal he was forced to sail with a

much smaller Armada than it originally

planned later while on Route the weather

began to sour and on the 24th of

September he was caught in a hurricane

level storm that severely damaged the

remainder of his Fleet thus making the

attack Impossible he and Lord luden

returned to Britain the following

[Music]

year throughout the next two years

French forces along with their North

American Allies continued to win

significant victories all across the

Ohio and Great Lakes area most of this

was due to General Louis Joseph dearam

who upon his arrival in May of 1756

began setting his sights on several key

British forts in the area after quickly

assessing the defenses of Fort Killian

located on Lake Champlain monom led a

force of roughly 3,000 troops to mount

an assault against Fort Oso which was

under the command of British Colonel

James Mercer on August the 11th Mam's

men arrived within a mile of the smaller

nearby Fort Ontario and began

entrenching themselves after 2 days of

exchanging gun and cannon fire MC's men

abandoned their positions and fled to

the much larger Fort ego Mon's primary

target from his newly captured position

monom ordered the bombardment of Fort

oo's exposed Eastern side and by the

next morning he had succeeded in

collapsing its stone wall and killing

Colonel Mercer 1,700 prisoners including

80 officers were taken as well as

thousands of pounds of gunpowder and

food Provisions before returning to m

monam ordered the fort to be destroyed

the following year he managed to score

yet another major victory at the siege

of Fort William Henry the fort which had

been left poorly defended after Lord Lon

had pulled a significant number of

troops to man his failed assault on lorg

was occupied by Lieutenant Colonel

George Monroe despite being outnumbered

nearly 3 to1 Monroe's men put up a

hearty defense however after several

days of heavy bombardments they had no

choice but to surrender these victories

and others like them allowed the French

to continue their march across the Ohio

country raiding and capturing English

settlers as they

went up until this point British leaders

in Europe were still failing to take the

war in North America seriously for years

their focus had been locked on the

larger Seven Years War and most

Representatives had adopted uh let

America deal with America's problems

sort of mentality this like a support

allowed the French to secure Victory

after Victory against British Colonials

and by 1758 they had arrived within 60

miles of Philadelphia things were

Beginning to Look hopeless however all

of that changed with the arrival of

William pit pit was a British politician

who understood that the war in Europe

was deeply connected to the struggles in

North America he believed that no real

Victory could be achieved at home

without first addressing the issues

abroad to do this pit secured funding

from the British Parliament promising to

provide a total reimbursement to the

colonies for the expenses they had aced

while fighting on Britain's behalf he

also funded an expansion of the British

royal Navy which allowed them to

dominate The Seas these ships captured

and sank any french military supply or

transport ship that they believed to be

sailing toward New France after this he

appointed new military talents that he

believed could change the course of the

war at the same time that Britain was

rest strategizing France began facing

major issues that would lose them the

support of many crucial allies a massive

financial crisis had left them on the

verge of bankruptcy which was inhibiting

their ability to wage war furthermore

troops were suffering from famine

resulting from poor food yields the PRI

year as well as pits new blockades which

were now blocking all incoming food and

Supply shipments the result was a major

turn in favor of the British and in July

of 1758 Major General Jeffrey Amherst

finally succeeded in The Taking of

Lewisburg something that Lord Lon and

Admiral hobor had failed to do three

years prior one notable French victory

during this time period was the defense

of Ford Killian by General monam here he

and his men managed to defend their

positions against a much larger British

Force Under the command of Major General

Adam zomi however this was less the

result of Mom's planning as it was a

series of unfortunate failures and

tactical miscalculations on the part of

the British while it was seen as a major

victory at the time it would mean very

little overall as the fort would be

captured the following year after being

abandoned by his Garrison months later

British Lieutenant Colonel John Brad

street forced the surrender of Fort

front andac a crucial Communications and

Supply Hub that connected Montreal and

Quebec City to other French territories

in November of that same year Ford duen

the pesky for which had kickstarted this

entire conflict was abanded by the

French after learning that Brigadier

General John Forbes was leading a force

of 6,000 to lay Siege to better handle

the logistics of moving such a large

number of troops through the extremely

difficult terrain Forbes and his men

constructed a road all the way from

carile to Fort Deen road that is still

known as the Forbes Road after this fort

Deen was renamed Pittsburgh and used as

a launching point for the siege of

Quebec which occurred the following year

in 1759 during this battle the British

and French forces met on a plateau just

outside the walls of Quebec City in an

encounter known as the battle of the

Plains of Abraham during the fighting

both commanders British general James

wolf and French General Louie Joseph

maram were mortally wounded while the

battle was occurring outside the city

the French abandoned it and on September

the 13th British victory was declared in

July 1760 Jeffrey Amherst launched a

three-pronged attack against the last

major French hold out Montreal troops

from Lake Ontario Quebec and Fort Crown

Point all converged on the city and on

the 8th of September the French agreed

to an unconditional surrender a week

later British flags were raised over

Detroit small skirmishes would continue

across the oh country and in parts of

British controled New France but the war

in North America was effectively over

[Music]

in Europe the fighting raged for two

more full years until finally on the

10th of February 1763 the Treaty of

Paris was signed in it France seeded all

of their territories in North America to

Britain with the exception of New

Orleans which was given to Spain for now

a fragile peace had once again been

achieved but the effects that the French

and Indian War had on the Americas

cannot be understated not only had the

French lost a majority of their Holdings

in the New World and around the globe

but Britain had lost something arguably

even more important the support of their

colonies the casual attitude that had

been displayed by leaders in Britain

during the early stages of the war had

left a deep resentment in the hearts of

many British Colonials Benjamin

Franklin's proposal for Unity during the

Albany meeting may have failed at the

time but it would bear a striking

resemblance to the one that would be

passed at the First Continental Congress

just a few short decades later Britain

would pour gasoline on the fire by

attempting to recoup a portion of its

wartime losses through taxation of their

colonies but as we all know those taxes

weren't exactly very well received

outrage led to calls for representation

acts of rebellion and eventually after

much work from George Washington

Benjamin Franklin and many other

Veterans of the French and Indian War

Revolution

[Music]