Lecture on George Washington and the French and Indian War

Introduction

• George Washington: multiple roles in history
  • Founding Father
  • First U.S. President
  • Commander of the Continental Army
  • Involved in the French and Indian War
• Controversial event: killing of a French official during surrender
  • Washington signed a document admitting to this, though he claimed misunderstanding due to language issues

Prelude to the French and Indian War

• Context: Colonial rivalry between Britain and France
• Territorial Disputes:
  • French and British both claimed Ohio country
  • French based claim on explorations of Rene Robert Cavalier
  • British claim from English Royal Charter
• Significance of Ohio:
  • Trade route for the French
  • Access to western lands for the British

Escalation of Conflict

• Captain Pierre Joseph Celeron de Blainville:
  • French captain tasked to expel British traders
  • 1752: Destroyed British trading post in Piqua
• George Washington's Mission:
  • At 21, sent to deliver an ultimatum to the French
  • French response: Refusal to leave

The Battle at Fort Necessity

• Washington's construction of Fort Necessity
• Encounter with French forces led by Joseph Coulon de Villiers
• French official killed by Washington's Native American ally

Washington's Surrender

• Washington's troops overwhelmed
• Signed document admitting responsibility for the ambush
• Governor Dinwiddie's response: Did not blame Washington

Larger Conflict: The French and Indian War

• French Successes:
  • Continued victories with the help of Native American allies
  • British military defeats
• Albany Plan of Union:
  • Proposed by Benjamin Franklin
  • Aimed to unify the colonies, ultimately rejected

Arrival of British Reinforcements

• General Edward Braddock:
  • Led a failed expedition against French forces

Turning Point

• Arrival of William Pitt, a British politician
  • Recognized global connection of American and European conflicts
  • Funded colonial war efforts
• British naval dominance

Conclusion of the French and Indian War

• Key Battles:
  • Capture of key French forts by British
  • Battle of Plains of Abraham, leading to British control over Quebec
• End of War:
  • Treaty of Paris, 1763
  • France ceded most North American territories

Legacy

• Loss of French territories
• British colonial dissatisfaction
• Seeds of American Revolution
  • Resentment from British negligence during the war
  • Increased taxation without representation leading to rebellion