The Seven Years War/The French Indian War of North America 1756-1763 - The Battle for World Dominance between Britain and France
The Seven Years War/The French Indian War of North America 1756-1763
The Battle for World Dominance between Britain and France
by
Jan Hummel
American History 131/291
November 30, 2004
The Seven Years War was the first major world war and a critical part of American History. The war was fought not only in North America, but also in Europe and India with Britain, Hanover, and Prussia fighting against France, Austria, Russia, and Spain. Britain and France struggled to gain land in these countries and fought for the ultimate world power. In North America this war is referred to as the French and Indian War. It, just like the wars in Europe, was a major struggle between Britain and France to control land. Each country knew gaining the vast majority of the land in North America would attain them world dominance they were struggling to achieve. Each country also knew that gaining the support of the Native Americans to fight on their side would win them the war. The Natives had lived on the lands for hundreds of years before the new settlers came across the Atlantic, they knew the terrain well and were disciplined warriors.
Many small battles were fought during the 1740’s between these two strong countries. Known as King George’s war these territorial battles failed to cipher a dominant power, which led up to the Seven Years War 1756-1763. In 1754, two years before the actual declaration of war, struggles began over the Ohio Territory. The French were setting up forts in the Ohio Valley and upon hearing of this Virginia sent George Washington, a Lieutenant at the time, to convince the French to leave. When France refused Washington and his small army of men went in to attack, they were quickly pushed back to Fort Necessity and surrendered shortly after. Washington’s clash with France began an all out war in North America. In 1755 Britain then sent General Braddock to occupy Fort Duquesne. Braddock and his men were ambushed and killed by a group of French Canadians and Indians fighting together. The success of these two battles helped the French and Native Americans keep the British from expanding westward from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania for the time being. Although war was not declared the fighting was intense in North America, peace in Europe remained until 1756 when Britain finally declared war on France. The French tried to send reinforcements to North America across the Atlantic, but were stopped short by the brute force of the Royal Navy. Even with their short supply of soldiers the war looked good for France. The French and Native Americans together captured Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario in 1756 and took Fort William Henry on Lake George in 1757.
