Treaty of Paris 1763 Flashcards

French and Indian War Overview

• Occurred from 1753 to 1763, also known as the Seven Years' War despite lasting ten years due to a treaty-signing period.
• Conflict involved French and Native American allies against Great Britain and its Indian allies.

Alliances

• Algonquian and Huron tribes allied with the French, favored their smaller, less threatening settlements over the expanding English colonies.
• The Iroquois League allied with the British, motivated by trade relations where Indians sought tools and weapons in exchange for furs.

War Location and Causes

• Fought on North American territory, primarily over control of the fertile Ohio River valley and its lucrative fur trade.
• The conflict escalated after the French built forts in the region, leading to British military involvement in 1753.

Key Events

• Fort Necessity was established by George Washington and his troops but ended with their surrender, marking an early engagement in the war in 1754.
• Relationship between France and Britain was strained, despite their royal blood connection, driving them into conflict.

Cost and Consequences

• The war was financially burdensome, requiring significant resources and logistics for troop deployment in America.
• Colonists bore the brunt of fighting for British interests, facing the risk of falling under French control.

Albany Plan of Union

• Proposed by Ben Franklin, this plan aimed to unify the colonies by establishing a Grand Council responsible for taxation and military organization.
• The proposal failed due to opposition from Britain, which deemed it treasonous to challenge royal authority.

Treaty of Paris 1763

• Signed in 1763, concluding the war; Britain gained vast territories including all of Canada, regions from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River (excluding New Orleans), and Florida from Spain.
• Britain did not request reparations from France, deviating from typical post-war agreements.

Strategic Military Move

• The capture of Quebec by British General James Wolfe in 1759 marked a crucial turning point, significantly shifting the war's momentum despite the ongoing conflict for four additional years.

Definitions

• Confederacy refers to a loose alliance of groups.
• Perpetual union signifies an everlasting unity among allied entities.
• Albany's selection as a rendezvous point was due to its fortification and limited civilian presence during wartime.