What caused the French and Indian War?
2 Answers
The attempt to gain the Ohio River Valley.
Explanation:
When a group of British colonial spectators received "rights" to own 500,000 acres of land in the Ohio River Valley, an area technically owned by France at the time, battles resulted.
Essentially, it was different viewpoints of disputed territory and who owned what.
The French and Indian Wars were an extension of the rivalry between the French and English focusing on the Ohio River Valley.
Explanation:
The English and French were in competition in the Caribbean for sugar island. The competition was being waged in Asia for influence and trade. In North America both European powers were attempting to expand their control and territory of the continent.
The French had formed an alliance with the Hurons in what is know Canada. While the British had formed an alliance with the Iroquois Confederation the traditional enemies of the Hurons. This created conflict between the two European powers.
The American colonists had claimed the Ohio River Valley the Eastern part of which was traditionally controlled by the Iroquois.
The French expanded their influence with other tribes through the fur trade. The French then also claimed the Ohio River Valley.
The conflict came to a head over control over the three rivers confluence where Pittsburgh now stands. George Washington had surveyed the area and put up signs claiming the are for Virginia.
The French built a for at the confluence. When the British demanded that the French remove the fort the French refused.
George Washington built a rival fort. When the French demanded that the colonist remove the fort George Washington refused and killed one of the French diplomates. In return the French attack the British fort forcing its surrender. These actions sparked a seven year conflict between the two European power and their Indian allies.
