Samuel de Champlain
French explorer in Nova Scotia who established a settlement on the site of modern Quebec (1567-1635)
William Pitt
A competent British leader, known as the "Great Commoner," who managed to destroy New France from the inside and end the Seven Year's War
James Wolfe
English general, led troops up steep cliff to capture Quebec which marked the beginning on the end of the French/Indian War
Edward Braddock
A British commander during the French and Indian War. He attempted to capture Fort Duquesne in 1755. He was defeated by the French and the Indians. At this battle, he was mortally wounded.
Pontiac
1763 - Ottowa chief who led an Indian uprising after the French and Indian War. They opposed British expansion into the western Ohio Valley and began destroying British forts in the area. The attacks ended when he was killed.
Louis XIV
"the Sun King;" considered to be the model of absolute monarchs; he controlled all aspects of government, and demonstrated his power and wealth with his palace at Versailles; engaged in efforts to increase his power by taking attacking Huguenots and engaging in wars to acquire more territory and power
Benjamin Franklin
American intellectual, inventor, and politician He helped to negotiate French support for the American Revolution.
George Washington
(1732-1799) Virginian who began as a commander and chief in the Revolutionary war. Had no desire to become president but the people wanted a strong national leader. Set prescient for many things, including the two terms rule. Warned US against being involved in foreign politics.
Huguenots
Converts or adherents to Calvinism in France, including many from the French nobility wishing to challenge the authority of the Catholic monarch. Also known as French Protestants.
Seven Years' War
(1756-1763 CE) Known also as the French and Indian war. It was the war between the French and their Indian allies and the English that proved the English to be the more dominant force of what was to be the United States both commercially and in terms of controlled regions.
Acadians
The residents of the portion of France's North American empire once called Acadia (present day Nova Scotia and nearby territories)
War of Spanish Succession
The powers of Europe fought against a possible unity of France and Spanish, which would then upset the balance of power. It was ended by the Treaty of Utrecht.
Albany Congress
1754 Intercolonial congress. Urged the crown to take direct control of Indian relations beyond the boundaries of the colonies. Drafted a plan of confederation for the continental colonies. was not ratified by any colony and parliament did not accept it.
Iroquois
A group of tribes speaking related languages in the eastern Great Lakes region of upper New York.
New France
French colony in North America, with a capital in Quebec, founded 1608. New France fell to the British in 1763.
Proclamation of 1763
A proclamation from the British government which forbade British colonists from settling west of the Appalacian Mountains, and which required any settlers already living west of the mountains to move back east.
Edict of Nantes
document that granted religious freedom to the Huguenots
coureurs de bois
(runners of the woods) French fur traders, many of mixed Amerindian heritage, who lived among and often married with Amerindian peoples of North America.
Jesuits
Members of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1534. They played an important part in the Catholic Reformation and helped create conduits of trade and knowledge between Asia and Europe.
salutary neglect
An English policy of not strictly enforcing laws in its colonies
War of Jenkin's Ear
Land squabble between Britain and Spain over Georgia and trading rights. Battles took place in the Caribbean and on the Florida/Georgia border.
Louisbourg
The French fortress, located on Cape Breton Island, controlled access to the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River. During the years before the French & Indian War, Great Britain saw France's decision to expand this fortress as a threat to the naval base Halifax.
Fort Duquesne
French fort that was site of first major battle of French & Indian War; General Washington led unsuccessful attack on French troops & was then defeated at Fort Necessity, marking beginning of conflict.
Fort Necessity
A hastily built British fort where Washington attempted to defeat the French. However, the French took the fort and forced Washington to surrender.