Fighting France
History: KS3, topic 12.1.2
Britain Fighting France Over America
Britain was determined to have the colonies in America. To do so, it had to fight France.
The Seven Years’ War
- The Seven Years’ War lasted from 1756 to 1763.
- The war started after France expanded into America along the Ohio River Valley. This threatened British colonies.
- William Pitt the Older (the British Prime Minister), raised money through Parliament and sent an army to fight the French.
- This war was very expensive. British debt grew by £39 million.
The Treaty of Paris
- In 1763, Britain and France signed the Treaty of Paris.
- Britain gained several colonies through the treaty.
- These included:
- Canada.
- Grenada.
- Tobago.
Impact of the Seven Years' War
- France was defeated.
- When the thirteen colonies went to war with Britain, King Louis XVI of France sent financial support to the Americans.
Test yourself on Fighting France
How much did British debt grow by in the Seven Years' War?