French and Indian War

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Edward Braddock marching on Fort Duquesne

British and French dominions in North America, 1755

English colonies in 17th-century North America

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French and Indian War summary

French and Indian War

Q: When did the French and Indian War begin?

The French and Indian War was part of a worldwide nine years’ war that took place between 1754 and 1763. It was fought between France and Great Britain to determine control of the vast colonial territory of North America.

Q: Which treaty made France surrender Canada to Britain?

According to the terms of the Treaty of Paris signed on February 10, 1763, France was to cede Canada to Great Britain and to relinquish all claims to the lands lying east of the Mississippi River, outside the environs of New Orleans.

North American history

Also known as: Great War for the Empire

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024 • Article History

Edward Braddock marching on Fort Duquesne

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Category: History & Society

Date:: 1754 - 1763

Location:: North America

Participants:: Cherokee; France; United Kingdom

Context:: Seven Years’ War

Major Events:: Treaty of Paris; Battle of Quebec; Battle of Jumonville Glen; Battle of Minorca; Battle of Fort Necessity

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When did the French and Indian War begin?

What was the main cause of the French and Indian War?

Which treaty made France surrender Canada to Britain?

French and Indian War, American phase of a worldwide nine years’ war (1754–63) fought between France and Great Britain. (The more-complex European phase was the Seven Years’ War [1756–63].) It determined control of the vast colonial territory of North America. Three earlier phases of this extended contest for overseas mastery included King William’s War (1689–97), Queen Anne’s War (1702–13), and King George’s War (1744–48). The French and Indian War began over the specific issue of whether the upper Ohio River valley was a part of the British Empire, and therefore open for trade and settlement by Virginians and Pennsylvanians, or ...(100 of 2593 words)

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