French & Indian War Activities
The French and Indian War was a period of fighting between the French and the British, with Native American allies on both sides. The war, which lasted from 1754 to 1763, actually became part of a worldwide conflict known as the Seven Years War. The French and Indian War confirmed Britain as the dominant power in the eastern region of North America.
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Study of the Claimants and Debate
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Study each side's claim, and debate who had a better claim to the land under dispute. Learn about Spain and how it entered the war in 1762 but didn't make a large impact in the ultimate outcome. Talk about the overall significance of the French and Indian War, such as how ownership of land changed due to the war, and how this change influenced the shape of our nation today.
Cultural Context
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Bring in pictures of the weapons and uniforms used in the war for discussion. Read out loud from historical documents of the time period, including diaries, letters and official reports from both sides of the conflict. Find stories that involve the French and Indian War. Study the colonial culture of the time. Try out examples of food and games of the time. Show pictures of everyday items from the time, talking about them and letting the students ask questions.
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Maps
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Have students color a map that outlines areas each nation controlled before the war, as well as areas that were under dispute. As your study of the war continues, use visual aids to pinpoint where the major battles occurred during the war. Create a map of where the different tribes came from. Make a cultural study of the tribes that were the most prominent in the war, such as the Algonquin.
Historical Figures
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Read short biographies of the major figures surrounding the French and Indian War. You might include King George II, King George III, James Wolfe and George Washington. Have the students draw pictures of the people based on the biographies. You might also investigate tribal leaders during this period, and how they influenced their tribes' alliances with both the French and the British.
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References
Resources
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