French and Indian War

Throughout the 1600 and 1700s, more and more people were moving into the English colonies. Over time, the colonies became crowded and colonists desired more land. Many moved west into a region called the backcountry.

As the colonies continued expanding westward into the Ohio River Valley. There was a problem. Two groups already claimed this land as their own, the French and the Native Americans.

• The French and Indian War was a war over land, fought between the French and British colonists from 1754 to 1763

• Each side had help from local Native Americans

• In 1754, George Washington was 21 years old living in Virginia.

• The United States was not yet a country.

• In that year, Washington was sent west by the governor of Virginia to fight against the French.

• The conflict lasted 9 years.

• The war officially lasted 7 years from 1756-1763.

• The British were fighting against the French and Indians who teams up and worked together as allies.

• The British ended up winning the war, but they faced HUGE debts as a result of it.