The French and Indian War: the French and Indian War provided an invaluable education for one young military leader. His name was George Washington.

In 1753, tensions between the French and the British in the New World were growing. The French, from their territory of New France, were challenging Britain for control of the Ohio Valley. Within a year, the two nations would be at war. Young George Washington played a key role in the British victory. Along the way, he also became a great "American" leader.

Cast

* George Washington: Lieutenant Colonel, Virginia Regiment 

* Robert Dinwiddie: Lieutenant Governor, Virginia

Captain La Force: French officer

# William Tilsit: Army Major

# Raven Wing: Iroquois scout

Silverheels: Iroquois warrior

General Edward Braddock: British Army commander

General John Forbes: British Army commander

Narrators A-D 

SCENE 1

October 1753

Narrator A: At the age of 21, George Washington of Mount Vernon, Virginia, is already a wealthy farmer and a major in the Virginia militia. But his ambition, and his contacts among influential people, make him destined for greater things. The British Colony's Lieutenant Governor, Robert Dinwiddie, has already found Washington to be highly dependable. Now he has a most challenging task for the young officer.

Lt. Gov. Robert Dinwiddie: As you know, Major, the Crown is anxious to defend its interests in the Ohio Valley. Unfortunately, the French are being unreasonable.

George Washington: Our scouts say that the French are planning to build forts on the Ohio River to challenge the King's outposts.

Dinwiddie: I have already drafted a letter warning them to stop these acts at once.

Washington: I would consider it an honor to deliver this message myself, sir.

Narrator A: Washington and his party leave immediately. They have a difficult journey of more than 500 miles through the winter wilderness. Finally, Washington is able to confront French Captain La Force with Dinwiddie's letter at Fort Le Boeuf [BEWF], near Lake Erie.

Captain La Force: An interesting letter you bring to us, Major. Nevertheless, I do not feel bound to obey it.

Narrator A: When Washington returns to Williamsburg, the colonial capital of Virginia, he writes a report of his journey.

Washington (in his report): The French officers privately assured me that they intend to take the Ohio River Valley, and I know they will do it.

Narrator A: Impressed with his officer, Dinwiddie distributes Washington's report widely. The Virginian's reputation spreads, even to England.

SCENE 2

Narrator B: Washington recommends building a fort as quickly as possible at the "forks of the Ohio"--where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the Ohio River.

Dinwiddie: I accept your recommendation. A team is being sent to start building Fort Prince George. Do you foresee any trouble with the Iroquois?

Washington: No, sir. They have given us permission to settle parts of the valley.

Dinwiddie: Very good. I am appointing Colonel Joshua Fry to lead a regiment [army unit] to defend the fort. You will assist him--and are now promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Washington: Thank you, sir. I won't let you down.

Narrator B: Washington rushes to organize the regiment. He is forced to leave in April 1754 with only 160 half-trained and poorly equipped troops. Before they have gone very far ...

Major William Tilsit: Sir, I have alarming news. The French have taken over Fort Prince George and renamed it after Marquis Duquesne [mar-KEY du-KAYNE], the Governor General of New France.

Washington: I feared as much. We must be cautious in planning our next move ...

Narrator B: Raven Wing, one of Washington's Iroquois scouts, enters.

Raven Wing: The Iroquois people have supported you for years now, Major. We urge you to press on.

Washington: Very well. We will leave at first light.

Narrator B: During the last week in May, Washington is resting his troops at the Great Meadows in Pennsylvania when a warrior named Silverheels brings a message from his chief, Half-King.

Silverheels: Our scouts have found an encampment of French on the ridge nearby. They do not know we are here, and a swift attack would take them by surprise.

Washington: Excellent. We will move at dawn.

Narrator B: In the early hours of May 28, 1754, Washington surprises the small French unit as the men are getting dressed. Their commander is killed, and Washington sends 10 prisoners back to Virginia. Washington has fired the first shots of the French and Indian War and won his first military victory.

Washington (in a letter to his brother): I heard the bullets whistle, and believe me, there is something charming in the sound.

Narrator B: But the French quickly plan a counterattack. Washington hastily builds Fort Necessity as a defense. He does not take the advice of the Iroquois about where to put it, however, and heavy rains flood the fort. When the much larger French forces attack, on July 3, Washington's inexperienced troops are quickly overcome; Washington surrenders. The French release him and his men to march back, unarmed, to Virginia. The Iroquois, disgusted by Washington's inexperience, abandon the British cause, Many of them will later join the French.

SCENE 3

Narrator C: Despite the praise he receives from fellow Virginians, Washington's defeat at Fort Necessity is a setback to his career. A new commander sent by British King George II openly criticizes him, and he is demoted to captain.

Washington (to himself): This blow to my honor is indeed hard. Now the King has declared that American officers are inferior in rank to his officers. I don't need this conflict. I will resign and again take up the life of a gentleman farmer.

Narrator C: But in February 1755, the King sends General Edward Braddock and 2,000 British soldiers to Virginia, to retake Fort Duquesne. Washington feels his warrior's blood stirring. One day in Williamsburg ...

Dinwiddie: General Braddock, may I introduce you to George Washington. He has performed admirably for the Crown, and led an important victory over the French in the valley.

General Edward Braddock: Washington, we need able men like you. I hope you will accept a position as my personal aide on our upcoming mission.

Washington: I accept your offer, General. I cannot stay away from the battle, and am eager to learn from someone of your experience.

Narrator C: The army sets out in May 1755. General Braddock does not always take Washington's advice. The Virginian expresses his frustration to another officer.

Washington: This worries me tremendously. Look at how our soldiers line up in formation with their red coats--while the enemy is hiding behind trees and rocks. The French have learned well from the natives how to fight in this wilderness.

Narrator C: On July 9, the French and Indian allies attack the British lines near Fort Duquesne. As Washington had feared, the enemy has the advantage of the woods, and the British soldiers in their red coats are sitting ducks. But he fights bravely; two horses are shot out from under him, and his clothes are cut by four bullets. Braddock, also fearless, is shot through the lungs, and Washington helps carry his mortally wounded commander off the field. When the battle ends, Washington helps lead the weary troops back to Virginia.

SCENE 4

Narrator D: This time, however, George Washington returns to Virginia a hero. In August 1755, he is promoted to the rank of colonel and made Commander in Chief of Virginia's militia. He is only 23 years old. Three years later, when British Prime Minister William Pitt sends General John Forbes to lead another force to retake Fort Duquesne, Washington is eager to join them.

General John Forbes: I cannot offer you a commission as an officer with my soldiers, Colonel Washington. But I will be pleased to have you take command of the Virginians.

Washington: I accept, sir. I have a lot at stake in this mission. And I assure you that my Virginians will conduct themselves bravely.

Narrator D: When the British and colonial forces arrive at Fort Duquesne, they find that the French have fled. General Forbes seizes the fort, renaming it Fort Pitt, the original site of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

When Washington returns home, he resigns from the army and marries Martha Custis. He also takes up the seat he has won in the House of Burgesses, the colonial Virginia legislature that will one day serve as a model for the United States Congress. Washington does not know it, but his days of commanding troops are not over.

AFTERWORD

In 1763, the British finally defeated the French and won control of most of North America. The victory would hold great meaning for the future. If France, rather than the British, had ruled America, the story--and language--of the United States might have been very different.

George Washington returned to the battlefield in 1775, when he was made Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. He was now fighting the British soldiers in their formations and red coats.

Washington had not forgotten about the advantage of rocks and trees, or of a dedicated people defending their home territory--both invaluable lessons of the French and Indian War. He lost some battles, but led the American Colonists to victory--and independence--in the Revolutionary War.

Your Turn

THINK ABOUT IT

1. What battlefield tactic (strategy) did George Washington learn from fighting the French and indians?

2. What qualities made George Washington a great leader?

* OBJECTIVE

Students should understand

* George Washington began his military career as a British officer during the French and Indian War (1754-1763).

* TEACHING STRATEGY

Ask: "What did George Washington do before he led the Continental Army during the American Revolution?"

* BACKGROUND

The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was actually the American phase of the last of four different wars between Britain and France, fought mostly in Europe from 1689 to 1763. In America, the French and Indian War lasted nine years. Fighting in Europe started in 1756, two years after Washington's first attack. There the conflict was called the Seven Years War.

* CRITICAL THINKING

MAKING COMPARISONS: How did the fighting style of the Native Americans differ from the military strategy used by the British, during the French and Indian War? (The Indians were adept at surprise attacks and ambushes of their opponents. They used trees and rocks to protect themselves from enemy fire.)

MAKING INFERENCES: How did George Washington's experience during the French and Indian War help prepare him to later lead the Continental Army? (Washington gained leadership experience in the war against the French. Also, he became familiar with the British fighting style and learned how to use natural surroundings as a strategic advantage in battle against the British.)

* ACTIVITY

WHAT MAKES A HERO?: Challenge students to explore how they define a person as a hero. Students can create a collage of people, activities, events, and ideas that they consider to be heroic.

STANDARDS

SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8

* Time, continuity, and change: How the French and Indian War helped shape the futures of the United States and Canada.

* Individual identity and development: How fighting in the French and Indian War helped George Washington develop military leadership skills.

RESOURCES

PRINT

* Smolinski, Diane, Battles of the French and Indian War (Heinemann Library, 2003). Grades 5-8.

* Stevenson, Augusta, George Washington: Young Leader (Aladdin Paperbacks, 1986). Grades 5-8.

GROLIER WEB SITE KEY TERM

* French and Indian War

WEB SITE

* George Washington www.pbs.org/georgewashington/