What is French and Indian War?
[[File:Vue de la descente a Terre Neuve par le chevalier de Ternay en 1762.jpg|330px|thumb|right|The descent of the French on St. John's, Newfoundland, 1762]] The '''French and Indian War''' was fought between 1754 and 1763 in [[British North America]] and [[France|French]] [[North America]]. They fought over land which is now in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. The French had some [[Native American]] allies and the [[British Empire|British]] had other allies. The conflict was a part of the [[Seven Years' War]] among the European [[great power]]s which took place in various parts of the world. France was already fighting [[Prussia]] and so did not send many troops to Canada. == Causes == * Both the British and the French thought that they owned the Ohio Country. That is land between the [[Appalachian Mountains]] and the [[Mississippi River]], from the [[Great Lakes]] to the [[Ohio River]]. France wanted to keep [[New France]], and Britain wanted to prevent that. Both wanted to control the [[fur trade]] and expected to send settlers someday. * Both European countries used [[Native American]] claims to the land. The British said that it belonged to the [[Iroquois]], and the French said it belonged to their [[Huron]]s. Neither side asked what the people of the Ohio Country might want. The land supported the [[beaver]] [[Fur trade|pelt]]. * The British [[Thirteen Colonies]] feared control of the [[Pope]] in [[North America]]. France was controlled by the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. The British settlers were [[Protestant]] and saw that as a threat to their [[religious freedom]]s, which they had under [[English law]]. == Battles == The French built a new fort in the disputed territory, and the British decided to expel them. After failing in a small battle in 1754 they tried again with the '''Battle of Monongahela''' in 1755. The British commander, General [[Edward Braddock]], died with many of his men in a failed attack against the French in what later became [[Pittsburgh]]. A [[militia]] officer, [[George