United States History Student Edition

02

Rivalry in North America

The French and Indian War GUIDING QUESTION How did competition for land in North America lead to the French and Indian War? In the 1700s, Britain and France were leading European powers. They competed for wealth and empire in different parts of the world. In This rivalry turned especially bitter in the mid-1700s. The British began to show interest in the Ohio River Valley, a vast area of land beyond the Appalachian Mountains that was rich in resources. The British believed they had a right to this land, but the French and their Native American allies also viewed the valley as theirs. The French enjoyed a thriving fur trade with the Native Americans of the region. They did not want to share this business with British settlers. To protect their claims in the valley, the French built a chain of forts from Lake Ontario south to the Ohio River. The British responded by starting to build a fort in what is now western Pennsylvania. Before they could finish, the French seized the site. On it, they built their own fort, calling it Fort Duquesne (doo•KAYN). In spring 1754, the governor of Virginia sent a militia (muh•LIH•shuh)— a military force made up of ordinary citizens—to drive out the French. Leading this force was a young Virginian named George Washington. North America, their rivalry was strong. Conflict in the Ohio Valley

READING STRATEGY Integrating Knowledge and Ideas Read closely to identify the state of relations between Native Americans and the British and French during this period. Summarize those relations in a chart like this one. Explain how and why Native American relations with the two groups differed.

Native Americans

Relations with the British

Relations with the French

militia a military force made up of ordinary citizens who are trained to fight in emergencies

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.1.6 • SS.8.A.3.3 • SS.8.E.1.1 • SS.8.G.1.1

• ELA.K12.EE.1.1 • ELA.K12.EE.2.1 • ELA.K12.EE.4.1

This painting by an American artist from the 1800s depicts George Washington commanding colonial troops in the French and Indian War.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division [LC-DIG-pga-02418]

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