Seven Years' War Timeline for HIS-121 SP2020

British colonists saw the Ohio River as a natural part of their financial/economic success moving westward from the Eastern Coastline. The French saw the Ohio River as a vital link to Louisiana and began to also lay claim to settlements along the river. Unsurprisingly, this competition led to increased tensions between the British and the French in the Ohio River Valley. The seeds of war are planted.

French forts have been built, settlements named and established, and the British are furious, threatened, and want the territory for themselves. The French aren't budging, and make official action to physically take the area over. A true power move, and escalation on behalf of the French.

Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie sent George Washington as an Emissary to "warn" the French to back off the Ohio River Valley territory. Washington was 21 years old at the time, and the French declined to obey any British order to leave, and that they were going to stay where they were. There is no evidence of any clash during this interaction. He returns to the Virginia Governor to deliver the news that the French will not comply with what the British want them to do.

George Washington, despite his warning from Virginia's Governor falling on deaf ears, gets promoted through the British military and is now a Lieutenant Colonel. He and his troops build a strategic road to Monogahela River in Pennsylvania, and he then was ordered to support the defense of an English Fort on the Ohio River from the French. After a skirmish at a location now know as Jumonville Glen, Washington retreats and constructs Fort Necessity, anticipating a military reaction from the French after killing a significant French military leader, Ensign du Jumonville. The French retaliated and took over Fort Necessity in battle on July 3, 1754 - Washington's first surrender.

"The volley fired by a young Virginian in the backwoods of America set the world on fire." -Horace Walpole

"I fortunately escaped without any wound, for the right wing, where I stood, was exposed to and received all the enemy's fire, and it was the part where the man was killed, and the rest wounded. I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me there is something charming in the sound." -George Washington

The Seven Years' War was fought worldwide - the Caribbean, North America, Europe and in Africa to name the main location points but this is not an exhaustive list. There were many Naval battles in parts of the Indian Ocean, for example as well. This war is known among historians as the first true World War in modern history. In 1756, the Prime Minister of England is William Pitt. His significant shift in strategy at this time contributes to a huge pivot in the war. He began funding the Prussian Army (an "enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend" strategy) to beat back the French in Europe.

The French military captures Fort William Henry, which sits in current day Lake George, New York. They were led by General Joseph de Montcalm. Montcalm enlisted over 2,000 Native American allies in addition to his 6,000 French militia and citizen soldiers. When the British surrendered, the French were actually relatively generous, allowing the British to return to their Fort, which upset the Native American allies who aided the effort to overtake the Fort. The Native American warriors took matters into their own hands, killing any British left (sick, injured, runaways).

William Pitt once again dictates strategy of this war. He goes into debt and doubles-down on resources to gain victories. The Treaty of Easton is signed, the British regain control of the area known as the "Forks of the Ohio" - a long and hotly contested territory with the French.

A hugely pivotal point not only in the Seven Years' War, but in North American history in general, is the fall of Quebec at the Battle of Quebec. Wolfe (British) vs. Montcalm (French). Wolfe's victory opened the door for England to conquer Canada.

Montreal surrendered a day after the loss at the Battle of Quebec. This is considered the end of the North American part of the conflict.

1763

February 10: The Treaty of Paris is signed, formalizing the end of the conflict between England and France.

April: British Colonel Henry Bouquet and his British army defeats Native American forces at Bushy Run, after the Natives attempted to push the British off of their land.

October 7: King George III signs the Proclamation of 1763. The main important point of this is that the British promise the Native Americans not to settle the Western Allegheny Mountains.