What is the significance of the ohio river valley

By comparison, a meandering and changing river seems almost stable. The French and Indian War, which took place between , began due to a conflict between England and France over control of the Ohio River Valley. Both sides wanted the valley so they could expand their settlements into the area.

This was hardly the first time the French and English had grappled. Causes of the French and Indian War. The French and Indian War began over the specific issue of whether the upper Ohio River valley was a part of the British Empire, and therefore open for trade and settlement by Virginians and Pennsylvanians, or part of the French Empire.

The Stamp Act of angered colonists because British citizens in the colonies did not have to pay the taxes. Many colonists felt that they should not pay these taxes, because they were passed in England by Parliament, not by their own colonial governments.

Once again, Washington and Dr. Craik were traveling companions, this time accompanied by Washington's nephew, Bushrod Washington , and Craik's son, William. The group traveled in greater comfort than Washington had known on earlier trips west, carrying along his wartime tent and some extra accoutrements including bedding, silver camp cups and spoons, as well as port and Madeira wine.

After a little over a month on the road and traveling nearly miles, Washington returned home to Mount Vernon. From his investigations in the West, Washington felt that the settlers in the Ohio territory needed to be encouraged to trade with the new United States.

The ease of getting to markets in the then-Spanish city of New Orleans by travelling on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meant that settlers could turn to Spain for commerce or political alliances. Potentially worse was the specter of settlers allying themselves with England, taking goods to market up the Mississippi River to Canada. Washington saw the solution to this problem in the opening of greater trade between Virginia and these western settlements. Even Washington's will showed his concern for the West.

That document records that Washington acquired 9, acres on the Ohio River and owned another 23, acres on the Great Kanhawa , with an additional acres in Pennsylvania near Great Meadows, 3, acres in the northwestern territory, and 5, acres in Kentucky. Notes: 1. Ben Davis July 16, Why did the British want the Ohio River Valley? Why was the Ohio River so important? Why does Great Britain have a large debt?

Why was the French and Indian War so expensive to the British government? How much money did the Seven Years War cost? What happened to the French after the Seven Year War?