The French and Indian War – How did it start?
A little backstory
By the mid 18th century, England and France had been fighting for control of North America for almost 100 years. King George’s War ended in 1748 (known as the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe), and was followed by a brief period of peace.
The borders of New France and the British colonies were not clearly defined, which lead to expansion among colonists from both European nations.
One disputed area was the Ohio river valley.
The Forks of the Ohio
Both the French and the British colonists sought to control the Forks of the Ohio. The point where the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers merge into the Ohio River – present day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Both sides sought to establish forts and trading posts to control the important waterways during the 1740s and early 1750s. Ultimately it was the French who won out. They sent a force of several hundred men to dislodge the English and establish Fort Duquesne.
George Washington starts a War
In 1754 a young George Washington (yes, that George Washington) had been sent to defend the British interests at the Forks of the Ohio. When he learned that the French now controlled the area, he opted to go on the offensive.
On May 28 he lead a small group in an ambush on a French scouting party. This attack is now called the Battle of Jumonville Glen.
The French response to the attack was swift. On July 3, 1754 hundreds of French troops surrounded Fort Necessity – a small palisaded fortification that Washington and his men had built. The victory was quick. George Washington and his men surrendered, abandoning Fort Necessity.
Upon his return to Virginia, Washington relayed the events to Governor Dinwiddie, who in turn sent word to England.
European Armies Arrive in North America
When news of the battles arrived in England it was decided to send troops to North America to secure the Ohio region.
The French also sent troops to the continent and hostilities quickly escalated.
The French and Indian War Begins
It is generally considered that the actions of George Washington lead to the full escalation of the French and Indian War. Although there had been small skirmishes and land disputes on the continent prior to these events, it is these two battles that caused England and France to send armies to North America.
The Full Documentary about the Siege of Fort William Henry
The video at the beginning of this post is an excerpt from a full length documentary, which is available now on DVD.
