BEFORE 1763
People started moving from Great Britain to America because of the cheap lands, religious tolerance, and economic opportunity. This led the colonies' population to go from 5,000 people to over 1,000,000. Soon enough the colonies learned how to govern themselves, make their own laws, and pay their own taxes. They had more freedom than any other county in Europe.
Settlers moved into the Ohio Valley. In 1754 the French built a fort at what is now Pittsburgh, PA, called Duquesne. Virginia wanted to get the French out of the Ohio Valley. So they recruited George Washington. Americans remember George Washington as the first President of the United States, but in 1754 he was just a young ambitious man who had no land or money. George Washington came up across a French scouting party in the woods. The French and Indian war was fought between France and Britain for territory and power. In 1755, Britain sent 1,400 soldiers to Virginia. Two thirds of the soldiers sent were killed. The French barely escaped, yet survivors went back to Virginia. After seven years at war Britain and France finally signed a peace treaty in 1763.
Settlers moved into the Ohio Valley. In 1754 the French built a fort at what is now Pittsburgh, PA, called Duquesne. Virginia wanted to get the French out of the Ohio Valley. So they recruited George Washington. Americans remember George Washington as the first President of the United States, but in 1754 he was just a young ambitious man who had no land or money. George Washington came up across a French scouting party in the woods. The French and Indian war was fought between France and Britain for territory and power. In 1755, Britain sent 1,400 soldiers to Virginia. Two thirds of the soldiers sent were killed. The French barely escaped, yet survivors went back to Virginia. After seven years at war Britain and France finally signed a peace treaty in 1763.