Seven Year War

• Started in 1754
• Ended in 1763
• Lasted 9 years but war was only declared in 1756
• Global conflict between major European powers and their colonies, mainly between Britain and France and their allies
• Changed how the world looked and decided who controlled which countries
• Battle of Fort Necessity

  • occurred in 1754
  • between French and British forces
  • French fought alongside the Native Americans
  • British forces were led by George Washington
  • Happened in the Ohio Valley
  • Both wanted valuable land
  • Washington's forces eventually surrendered leading to the start of the war
• Battle of Quebec

  • fought in 1759 in the cliffs of Quebec
  • British were led by General James Wolfe surprising French defenders
  • General James Wolfe died in battle
  • Turning point as the British secured control of Canada
  • French power weakened in North America
• Siege of Louisbourg:

  • Occurred in 1758 in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
  • British were led by General Jeffery Amherst
  • After the siege the french surrendered
  • Weakened French naval power
• Battle of Plassey (India):

  • Battle in India
  • British were led by Robert Clive
  • Defeated the French forces leading to British domination of India
• King George II (Britain):

  • British monarch
  • Authorized military strategies
• Louis XV (15) (France):

  • French monarch
  • Led France in battle
  • Controlled military actions and diplomatic negotiations
• Frederick the Great (Prussia):

  • Prussian king
  • Was a military leader and strategic prowess against Austria during the European theater war
• William Pitt the Elder (Britain):

  • Secretary of State
  • His strategic vision and leadership helped with their victory
• Marquis de Montcalm (France):

  • Military commander in North America
  • Led forces in defense attacks
• Causes:

  • Competition for colonial territories; conflicts over trade routes and resources and valuable colonial territory
  • Rivalry between European powers; conflict between Britain and France as both wanted to rule North America and India
  • Alliances and treaties leading to tensions; alliances shifted and treaties were violated
• Impacts:

  • territorial changes; Treaty of Paris changed who owned what land (Britain = Canada and parts of North America and India)
  • Economic consequences; European leaders were in debt due to the war so they increased taxes (mainly Britain)
  • Political ramifications; reshaped the balance of power in Europe and the Americas so it contributed to future wars
• Proclamation Act (1763):

  • A law by the british after the war that colonists couldn't live in certain areas 
  • Created the proclamation line (west of Appalachian Mountains)
  • Made in 1763 to avoid conflict with native americans
  • Colonists didn't like it since they wanted to travel to new lands
  • Angered some colonists and contributed to tensions between the colonies and Britain
• Quebec Act:

  • Made in 1774
  • Allowed french speaking people in Quebec more rights; in their religion and laws
  • Exempted them from British laws
  • Expanded Quebec's borders further west of the Ohio River
  • Some colonists saw it as a threat to their rights but it strengthened relations between Britain and Quebec; although it did lead to tension with the other colonies
• Aka the French Indian war
• Jacques Cartier created New France