French and Indian War the Essay

In 1754, Anglo-American colonists led by George Washington attempted to expel the French from the upper Ohio Valley, however, Washington was defeated but the defeat captured the attention of British Prime Minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle, who called for a retaliatory strike ("Milestones: 1750-1775"). Eventually, General Edward Braddock was sent to North America but he failed to make alliances with Native Americans and colonial leaders failed to cooperate ("Milestones: 1750-1775"). General Braddock died in a failed attack to capture Ft. Duquesne and the conflict in North America was at a stalemate for the next years, but in 1757, war began to turn in favor of the British as they defeated the French in India, and in 1759, they invaded and conquered Canada ("Milestones: 1750-1775").

Eventually, the conflicts between Prussia and Great Britain and France, Sweden, and Austria came to a close through various treaties including the Treaty of Paris, which forced the French to give up claims to Canada, Louisiana was handed to Spain, and Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and various French holdings overseas ("The Seven Years War Begins").

After these conflicts were resolved, Parliament set out to recoup the money they spent fighting this war and began taxing the American colonies heavily. Additionally, they sought to restore the "profitability of the East India Company" in order to recover money spent fighting in India ("The French & Indian War"). Fifteen years later, Great Britain would once again find themselves engaged in a war in North America, the American Revolution, which forced them to give up any and all claims to the American colonies (excluding their Canadian claims) ("The Seven Years War Begins").

Works Cited

"The French & Indian War." Independence Hall Association. Web. 13 June 2013.

"Milestones: 1750-1775." Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs. U.S. Department…