APUSH Review: The 7 Years' (French and Indian) War As A Turning Point

Adam Norris

7 Feb 201607:33

Summary

TLDRThe Seven Years' War, also known as the French and Indian War, was a pivotal moment in American history, marking the end of Britain's policy of salutary neglect and the beginning of increased colonial resistance. The war, fought between 1754 and 1763, resulted in Britain's victory and significant territorial gains in North America. However, this victory led to the end of Britain's hands-off approach towards its colonies, as they sought to recoup war debts by imposing new taxes and restrictions, such as the Proclamation Line of 1763, which limited westward expansion. This shift sparked a series of events, including Pontiac's Rebellion and the Stamp Act Congress, that ultimately contributed to the growing unity among colonists and their movement towards independence.

Takeaways

📚 The Seven Years' War, also known as the French and Indian War, was a pivotal conflict between Britain and France, along with Native American tribes, from 1754 to 1763.
🏰 Britain emerged victorious, significantly expanding its North American territory and pushing the French out of the continent.
🌳 Prior to the war, British colonists aimed to expand westward into the Ohio River Valley, which was a key area of contention.
🔍 The Albany Plan of Union, proposed by Benjamin Franklin, was an early attempt to unite the colonies, symbolized by the 'Join or Die' cartoon, but it was rejected.
🌍 The year 1763 marked a significant shift with the end of Britain's policy of salutary neglect towards its colonies due to war debts and the need for more control.
🏴‍☠️ Pontiac's Rebellion was a Native American response to British colonial expansion post-war, indicating growing tensions.
🚫 The Proclamation Line of 1763 was a direct British response to halt colonial expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains, angering the colonists.
📉 The relationship between Britain and the colonies deteriorated after the war, with Britain imposing more control and the colonists resisting.
🗣️ Colonists began to unify against British rule, as seen in the formation of the Stamp Act Congress and the First Continental Congress.
🏁 It's important to note that most colonists did not seek independence until 1776; prior to that, they wanted a return to the pre-1763 relationship with Britain.

Q & A

What is the Seven Years' War also known as?
-The Seven Years' War is also known as the French and Indian War.
Between which years did the Seven Years' War take place?
-The Seven Years' War took place between 1754 and 1763.
Who were the main adversaries in the Seven Years' War?
-The main adversaries were Britain and her colonies on one side, and the French along with many Native American tribes on the other.
What was the outcome of the Seven Years' War for the British?
-The British won the war, and as a result, France was removed from North America, with the British gaining significant territories.
What was the Ohio River Valley's significance before the Seven Years' War?
-The Ohio River Valley was an area where British colonists sought to expand, which was a key theme in American history.
Who is credited with creating the first political cartoon in American history, and what was its purpose?
-Benjamin Franklin created the first political cartoon, 'Join or Die,' to unite the colonies.
What was Britain's policy towards the colonies before the Seven Years' War?
-Britain's policy was 'salutary neglect,' meaning they left the colonies alone as long as they were profitable.
What does the acronym PEP stand for in the context of the Seven Years' War?
-PEP stands for Pontiac's Rebellion and the Proclamation Line of 1763, which were significant events following the war.
What was the impact of the Seven Years' War on the relationship between Britain and the colonies?
-The relationship drastically changed for the worse, with Britain ending its policy of salutary neglect and taking a more hands-on approach with the colonies.
What was the British response to the colonists' resistance after the Seven Years' War?
-The British imposed acts such as the Stamp Act and the Tea Act, which were met with resistance and boycotts by the colonists.
How did the Seven Years' War act as a turning point leading to the American Revolution?
-The war led to the end of Britain's salutary neglect, increased colonial unity against Britain, and the colonists' resistance to British acts, which eventually led to the American Revolution.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Seven Years' War: Prelude and Impact

This paragraph introduces the Seven Years' War as a pivotal event in American history, also known as the French and Indian War. It was a conflict between Britain and its colonies against the French and various Native American tribes from 1754 to 1763. The British emerged victorious, leading to the removal of France from North America and significant territorial gains for Britain. The paragraph highlights key events leading to the war, such as the British colonists' desire to expand into the Ohio River Valley and George Washington's involvement. It also discusses Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union and the concept of 'Salutary Neglect', Britain's previous hands-off approach to colonial governance. The paragraph concludes with the implications of the war, such as Pontiac's Rebellion and the introduction of the Proclamation Line of 1763, which restricted colonial expansion and marked the end of Britain's lenient policy towards the colonies.

05:00

📜 Post-War Tensions: Britain and the Colonies

The second paragraph delves into the consequences of the Seven Years' War on the relationship between Britain and its American colonies. It emphasizes the shift from a period of 'Salutary Neglect' to increased British control post-war due to financial debts incurred. The paragraph outlines key acts imposed by Britain, such as the Proclamation Line restricting westward expansion and the Stamp Act, which was met with strong colonial resistance, including the formation of the Stamp Act Congress and the Boston Tea Party. It also discusses the British response, the Intolerable Acts, and the colonial reaction, the First Continental Congress. The paragraph notes that while the colonists were growing increasingly discontent, most did not seek independence until 1776, preferring instead to return to the pre-1763 relationship with Britain. The paragraph concludes with advice for students on how to approach essay questions regarding the war's significance as a turning point in colonial history and tips for multiple-choice and short-answer questions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Seven Years' War

The Seven Years' War was a global conflict that took place from 1756 to 1763, involving many of the world's colonial powers. In the context of the video, it was a significant turning point in the relationship between Britain and its North American colonies, as it led to Britain's victory over France and a subsequent shift in colonial policy. The war is a central theme of the video, as it sets the stage for the changes in British colonial policy and the growing tensions that would eventually lead to the American Revolution.

💡French and Indian War

The French and Indian War is the North American theater of the Seven Years' War. It was fought between Britain and France, with the involvement of many Native American tribes. The keyword is important because it directly impacts the colonists' lives and aspirations for westward expansion. The video mentions that the British victory in this war led to a significant territorial expansion for the colonies, but also to new restrictions imposed by the British government.

💡Ohio River Valley

The Ohio River Valley was a key area of interest for British colonists seeking to expand westward before the war. The video highlights this region as a focal point for colonial expansionist desires, which would become a contentious issue post-war as the British government sought to limit such expansion through policies like the Proclamation Line of 1763.

💡Alban Plan of Union

The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal by Benjamin Franklin to create a unified government for the British colonies in North America. The video mentions this as an early attempt at colonial unity, which was ultimately rejected by colonial legislatures. It's a significant concept as it foreshadows later efforts at colonial cooperation and unity in response to British policies.

💡Join or Die

Join or Die is a political cartoon created by Benjamin Franklin to promote the Albany Plan of Union. The video uses this cartoon as an example of early American political art and a symbol of the need for colonial unity. It illustrates the concept of 'unity' which becomes a recurring theme as the colonies begin to resist British policies after the Seven Years' War.

💡Salutary Neglect

Salutary neglect was Britain's policy of largely ignoring colonial affairs as long as the colonies were profitable. The video explains that this policy ended after the Seven Years' War due to Britain's war debts and the need for more direct control over the colonies. This change is critical as it marks a significant shift in the relationship between Britain and the colonies, leading to increased tensions.

💡Pontiac's Rebellion

Pontiac's Rebellion was an uprising by Native American tribes in the Great Lakes region and Ohio Country against British expansion after the French and Indian War. The video mentions this rebellion as a reaction to the encroachment on Native American lands by British colonists, which is an important context for understanding the broader conflict between the colonists and the British government.

💡Proclamation Line of 1763

The Proclamation Line of 1763 was a British order that prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. The video emphasizes this as a significant point of contention between the colonists and the British government, as it restricted the colonists' desire for westward expansion, which had been fueled by the recent victory in the French and Indian War.

💡Stamp Act

The Stamp Act was a direct tax imposed by the British government on the American colonies in 1765, requiring them to pay a tax on printed materials. The video describes the colonists' resistance to this act, which included the formation of the Stamp Act Congress and boycotts of British goods. This act and the colonial response to it are key examples of the growing conflict between Britain and its North American colonies.

💡Intolerable Acts

The Intolerable Acts were a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. The video mentions these acts as a British response to colonial resistance, which further escalated tensions and led to the First Continental Congress. These acts are significant as they represent the British government's attempt to reassert control over the colonies.

💡First Continental Congress

The First Continental Congress was a meeting of representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies in 1774 to discuss their objections to British policies. The video highlights this event as a significant step towards colonial unity and resistance. It shows the colonies beginning to act in concert against perceived British oppression, which is a key development in the lead-up to the American Revolution.

Highlights

The Seven Years' War was a turning point in history, serving as a potential essay topic.

The war was fought between 1754 and 1763, involving Britain, France, and Native American tribes.

Britain and its colonies were on one side, while France and many Native Americans were on the other.

The British won the war, leading to France's removal from North America.

The British gained significant territory, expanding to the Mississippi River.

Before the war, British colonists sought to expand into the Ohio River Valley.

George Washington's involvement near present-day Pittsburgh initiated the French and Indian War.

Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union was a plan to unite the colonies, symbolized by the 'Join or Die' cartoon.

Salutary neglect was Britain's hands-off approach towards the colonies as long as they were profitable.

1763 marked the end of salutary neglect and the beginning of a more hands-on British approach with the colonies.

Pontiac's Rebellion was a Native American response to British colonial expansion post-war.

The Proclamation Line of 1763 forbade colonial expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains.

The relationship between Britain and the colonies drastically changed for the worse after the war.

Great Britain's war debt led to the end of salutary neglect and increased colonial resistance.

Colonists resisted new British acts such as the Proclamation Line and the Stamp Act.

The colonists' resistance included forming the Stamp Act Congress and the First Continental Congress.

Most colonists did not want independence until 1776; they wanted to return to pre-1763 conditions.

The Seven Years' War can be directly linked to the causes of the American Revolution.

Colonists viewed themselves as British, even with a unique American identity emerging.

Test tips include knowing the impacts of the war, identifying acts, and understanding colonial responses.

For essays, analyzing the war as a turning point in colonial history is crucial.