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==British Empire==
==British Empire==
The French and Indian war took on a new significance for the North American colonists in Great Britain when [[William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham|William Pitt the elder]] decided that it was necessary to win the war against France at all costs. For the first time, North America was one of the main theatres of what could be termed a "world war". During the war, the British Colonies (including the [[Thirteen Colonies]], which would later become the basis of the United States) position as part of the British Empire was made truly apparent, as British military and civilian officials took on an increased presence in the lives of Americans. The war also increased a sense of American unity in other ways. It caused men, who might normally have never left their colonies, to travel across the continent, fighting alongside men from decidedly different, yet still "American," backgrounds. Throughout the course of the war, British officers trained American ones (most notably [[George Washington]]) for battle which would later benefit the American Revolution. Legislatures and officials of the American colonies had to cooperate intensively, for the first time, in pursuit of the continent-wide military effort.
The French and Indian war took on a new significance for the North American colonists in Great Britain when [[William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham|William Pitt the elder]] decided that it was necessary to win the war against France at all costs. For the first time, North America was one of the main theatres of what could be termed a "world war". During the war, the British Colonies (including the [[Thirteen Colonies]], which would later become the basis of the United States) position as part of the British Empire was made truly apparent, as British military and civilian officials took on an increased presence in the lives of Americans. The war also increased a sense of American unity in other ways. It caused men, who might normally have never left their colonies, to travel across the continent, fighting alongside men from decidedly different, yet still "American," backgrounds. Throughout the course of the war, British officers trained American ones (most notably [[George Washington]]) for battle which would later benefit the American Revolution. Legislatures and officials of the American colonies had to cooperate intensively, for the first time, in pursuit of the continent-wide military effort.
In Pennsylvania, [[Benjamin Franklin]] played a crucial role in organizing the defense of the colony over the objections of thepacifistic Quakers.
==Battles==
==Battles==
The war began when British troops under General Edward Braddock on their way to oust the French from Fort Duquesne (modern Pittsburgh) in 1755 were ambushed and defeated by French troops and their Indian allies at the battle of the Wilderness. Virginia colonel [[George Washington]] took over when Braddock was killed and led a successful retreat back to Virginia.
===Braddock's defeat===
The war began when British troops under General Edward Braddock on their way to oust the French from Fort Duquesne (modern Pittsburgh) in 1755 were ambushed and defeated by French troops and their Indian allies at the battle of the Wilderness. Virginia colonel [[George Washington]] took over when Braddock was killed and led a successful retreat back to Virginia.
Washington's military experiences throughout the Ohio country during the French and Indian War prepared him to effectively manage logistical problems, strategic planning, troop morale and discipline, and ineffectual decisionmaking by elected officials during the [[American Revolution]].
Braddock defeat showed the great disadvantage professional British soldiers had in fighting Indian warriors in the woods. The British adjusted to American conditions by recruiting Indian allies and American backwoodsmen to serve as rangers, and attempting to train British soldiers in American fighting conditions. The number of American rangers steadily expanded during the French and Indian War. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Gage's 80th Regiment of Light Armed Foot in 1758 began a trend in establishing units better suited for American conditions. In 1759, light companies were formed in all the regular battalions in North America. By the war's end British troops in America had become efficient in irregular warfare and stood apart from other British units.<ref>Steve Brunwell, "'A Service Truly Critical': The British Army and Warfare with the North American Indians, 1755-1764." ''War in History'' 1998 5(2): 146-175. 0968-3445 </ref>
===Massacre===
The French and their Indian allies forced the surrender of the British at Fort William Henry in upstate New York in 1757. The garrison surrendered to French commander Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Gozon (1712-59) but he failed to enforce the articles of capitulation that obliged him to protect his prisoners from the wrath of his Indian allies. The Indians massacred most of the prisoners and took home their scalps as trophies. Several of the prisoners had smallpox, and the scalps infected and killed hundreds of Indians in the following weeks.
The French and their Indian allies forced the surrender of the British at Fort William Henry in upstate New York in 1757. The garrison surrendered to French commander Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Gozon (1712-59) but he failed to enforce the articles of capitulation that obliged him to protect his prisoners from the wrath of his Indian allies. The Indians massacred most of the prisoners and took home their scalps as trophies. Several of the prisoners had smallpox, and the scalps infected and killed hundreds of Indians in the following weeks.
===Victory===
The most famous battle was the British victory in 1759 during the siege of Quebec. General Marquis de Montcalm led French forces, and General James Wolfe led British troops. Both Montcalm and Wolfe died in the fight.
The most famous battle was the British victory in 1759 during the siege of Quebec. General Marquis de Montcalm led French forces, and General James Wolfe led British troops. Both Montcalm and Wolfe died in the fight.
==Indians==
==Indians==