Changes

In 1755, the British sent General [[Edward Braddock]] to confront French, but they ambushed and beat him badly nearly Fort Duquesne (pronounced DOO CANE).  In 1756, war broke out between the French and English in Europe and things got very serious.

In 1755, the British sent General [[Edward Braddock]] to confront French, but they ambushed and beat him badly nearly Fort Duquesne (pronounced DOO CANE).  In 1756, war broke out between the French and English in Europe and things got very serious.

Eventually a smart fellow named [[William Pitt]] assumed power in England.  The city of Pittsburgh is named after him.  Pitt believed in appointing generals based on merit, not seniority or friendship.  Pitt recognized the importance of the colonies and began investing significant money and resources.  He started beating the French.  Under Pitt’s leadership, he captured [[Fort Duquesne]] in 1758, then Quebec in 1759, and then Montreal in 1760.  He started winning other places in world also, including India.  In 1763 the Treaty of Paris was signed that eliminated French and her Indian allies as a threat to colonists.

Eventually a smart fellow named [[William Pitt]] was elected as Prime Minister in England.  The city of Pittsburgh is named after him.  Pitt believed in appointing generals based on merit, not seniority or friendship.  Pitt recognized the importance of the colonies and began investing significant money and resources.  He started beating the French.  Under Pitt’s leadership, he captured [[Fort Duquesne]] in 1758, then Quebec in 1759, and then Montreal in 1760.  He started winning other places in world also, including India.  In 1763 the Treaty of Paris was signed that eliminated French and her Indian allies as a threat to colonists.

But there was a change in the King of England even before 1763:  [[King George III]] assumed the thrown in 1760, and wanted to end the war quickly.  Pitt wanted more war by England and resigned in 1761.  A new prime minister gains power in England in 1763: George Grenville.  England was angry that colonists didn’t pay fair share of war, and England wanted to make peace with Indians.  It passed the Proclamation Act of 1763 to forbid colonists from settling west of Appalachians and stop buying land from Indians.  Kind of like today’s problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians.  Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it.

But there was a change in the King of England even before 1763:  [[King George III]] assumed the throne in 1760, and wanted to end the war quickly.  Pitt wanted more war by England and resigned in 1761.  A new prime minister gains power in England in 1763: George Grenville.  England was angry that colonists didn’t pay fair share of war, and England wanted to make peace with Indians.  It passed the Proclamation Act of 1763 to forbid colonists from settling west of Appalachians and stop buying land from Indians.  Kind of like today’s problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians.  Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it.

Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay its share of the war costs.  Prime Minister Grenville started taxing colonists, and enforcing the taxes.  He taxed sugar, then prohibited colonies from issuing paper currency.

Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay its share of the war costs.  Prime Minister Grenville started taxing colonists, and enforcing the taxes.  He taxed sugar, then prohibited colonies from issuing paper currency.