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The French traded more with the Indians, and so the Indians tended to side with the French.  Also, some Indians saw how George Washington was defeated, so they probably thought the English colonies were weaker than the French.  Finally, it's likely the French treated the Indians better than the English did.

The French traded more with the Indians, and so the Indians tended to side with the French.  Also, some Indians saw how George Washington was defeated, so they probably thought the English colonies were weaker than the French.  Finally, it's likely the French treated the Indians better than the English did.

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.

'''The''' French and Indian War was the seven-year struggle that was the culmination of the conflicts between France and England in America.  It was the American portion of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) between England and France in Europe.  The name "French and Indian" to describe the war is confusing, because the French and Indians were on the same side.  Both were opponents of the British and the English colonies.

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, eliminating France and her Indian allies as a threat to colonists.  France agreed to give England as much of North America as it claimed East of the Mississippi, keeping only two islands off the coast of Newfoundland. 

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 ugly in America also.

England also returned Cuba and the Philippines to Spain in exchange for Florida during this time.

The British struggled badly at first in this war.  But 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, eliminating France and her Indian allies as a threat to colonists.  France agreed to give England as much of North America as it claimed East of the Mississippi, keeping only two islands off the coast of Newfoundland.  France gave up (temporarily) the Louisiana territory to its ally Spain as compensation to it for losing Florida, which it gave up to England in return for Cuba and the Philippines. These countries traded properties in North America as though they were baseball cards!

But there was a change in the King of England even before 1763:  When [[King George III]] assumed the throne in 1760, he wanted to end the war quickly.  But William Pitt wanted more war by England and resigned in 1761.  Pressure from George III also played a part in his decision to resign.  George wanted Pitt to do his will, but Pitt had a strong will of his own.

But there was a change in the King of England even before 1763:  When [[King George III]] assumed the throne in 1760, he wanted to end the war quickly.  But William Pitt wanted more war by England and resigned in 1761.  Pressure from George III also played a part in his decision to resign.  George wanted Pitt to do his will, but Pitt had a strong will of his own.