The French and Indian War

The Great War for Empire in America

Actually, the French and Indian War was not a war between the French and the Indians. In fact, there were several wars between the French and their Indian allies who fought against the British and their Indian allies. These wars in the colonies came to be called the French and Indian Wars. For instance, King William's War, Queen Anne's War and King George's War were all important conflicts fought in America between the British and the French. These wars, important as they were in their own right, were really only preludes to the great struggle between England and France for continental control in America and in fact, world dominance.

The last of this series would prove to be the most important. It would be called the Seven Years War in Europe. In the American colonies it was referred to as the French and Indian War. It began in America in 1754 as a result of military action by a young Virginian named George Washington. The war started in North America when George Washington confronted the French, as he had been instructed by the Governor of Virginia. Washington met the French and engaged them in combat. The French were located at a position they called Fort Duquesne, which would become present day Pittsburgh. Washington failed in his attempt to persuade the French to vacate the location and the next year, the British sent the far more experienced General Braddock in an attempt to do what Major Washington had not been able. General Braddock allowed Washington to accompany him. Unfortunately, this British General would not only be defeated but he was also killed in the expedition.

The war spread to Europe and would develop into a world war. Portugal and Prussia joined forces with England, while France gained Austria, Russia, Sweden and a number of German states as their allies. The war would even spread to India. In the beginning, things went badly for England. However, in 1858, William Pitt came into power. He took control over the war effort and changed the British strategy. He decided to concentrate the war on the North American continent.