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War of Jenkins' Ear
The British declared war on the Spanish because Jenkins' claimed that his ear was cut off in April, 1731 in the West Indies by Spanish coast guards who had boarded his ship, pillaged it, and then sent it adrift. -
Washington surrenders Fort Necessity
Fort Necessity, was a circular stockade made of 7 foot high upright logs that surounded a little hut containing ammunition and provisions. It was also built on low ground. So, when it began to rain in the middle of the battle, the British couldn't continue since their ammunition was wet. The French later told the British that if they surrendered they could go, but if they didn't they'ld be killed. Washington agreed to these terms unaware that it had also said Jumonville had been "assassinated." -
Battle of Monongahela-Braddock's defeat
Braddock planned to fight the European way; each side would line up and begin shooting. So he wasn't prepared for the French's Native fighting style. The British were unable to defend themselves against the French and Indians hiding behind trees and rocks. Out of the 1400 British, 900 were either killed or wounded, including Gen. Braddock, vs. the French whith only 30 casualities out of their small army of about 700. Washington barely escaped and learned from Braddock's mistakes. -
Battle of Lake George
The French ambused the British and in the chaos, Col. Williams was shot in the head and killed. As the British panic and retreat, Col. Cole and 300 men rush to assist Williams (now Whiting.) Whiting and his men meet Cole at Lake George and prepare themselves for the oncoming French. A heated battles ensues with the British beating the French. -
The Battle of Great Cacapon
The Battle of Great Cacapon (Mercer's Massacre) was fought between members of Col. George Washington's Virginia Regiment and French-allied Shawnee and Delaware Indians. It was the largest engagement of French and Indian forces in Virginia. Lt.Mercer of the British was leading a militia of 40-100 men in pursuit of Indians. When they passed the conceled Indians the trap was sprung and Mercer and 16 men. More men were also chased down and killed. -
The Start of the War
After many battles between the French and the British, England formally declares war on France. For people in Europe, this is known as the Seven Years War, but for us in America, it's known as the French and Indian War because the English were the 'winners' in the end, and the French and Indians were the ones that had been defeated. -
French take Fort Oswego
A French militia under Gen. Montcalm captured and occupied a British force at Fort Oswego. In addition to 1700 prisoners, including women and childern, the French seized the fort's 121 cannons. Amid the confusion of the French's plundering, some British people tried to escape, but were tomahawked by French or Indians. Shocked by his Indian allies behavior; killing the wounded, scalping, and taking prisoners, Montcalm was finally able to prevent further violence. -
Massacre at Fort William Henry
The French were closing in on the English in Fort William Henry. With little ammunition left, and fewer men, British Gen. Webb had little choice but to surrender. The French Gen. Montcalm offered generous terms; all the men could leave to Fort Edward. They would even be allowed to have a cannon accompany them. In return the English wouldn't attack the French for the nest 118 months. The British evacuated, with 17 men killed in the Fort and seveveral wounded killed on the way out, both massacres. -
Battle of Fort Niagara
Iroquois and British soldiers distracted the French's Indian allies so that when the French arrived at the fort, their Indian allies had abandoned them. Being so out numbered, it was easy for the British to blast them with their cannons when they began to retreat. Those that survived that were then attacked by hidden Iroquois. This battle helped the British because they had control of Lake Ontario and had diverted the French attack on Fort Pitt. -
Battle of Quebec
Both sides were confident. Louis Montcalm, the brilliant French general, was against England's young general James Wolfe, who was also brilliant. In the midddle of the night, Wolfe and his English soldiers climbed steep cliffs near Quebec. Montcalm and his men were totally surprised when the English attacked. Both Montcalm and Wolfe were killed in the fighting, but the English won the battle for Quebec, cutting off all suplies from French troops in North America. -
The Capture of Havana
This was the last major opperation of the French and Indian War. It was part of the British act against Spain when it entered the war in support of France. The British immediately planned to attack Havana and Manila, capitals of western and eastern dominions. Taken by surprise, the British Admiral Sir Pocock, easily captured the castle where the Spainish had made their base. In addition to stores and valuables, nine Spainsh ships were captured. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed by Great Britian, Spain, and France. It ended the French and Indian War. It was made possible by the British victory over France and Spain. France lost almost all of its territory in the mainland of North America, but kept some of the islands in the Caribbean. The British got the eastern part of North America and Canada, Spaish got the western and southern part. The Indians got nothing and were constantly being pushed off their land and farther west.
