The French and Indian War - Lesson Plan - Last Best Hope

The French andObjectives:The students will…Materials:Indian War• Be able to identify the causes of the French andIndian War• Assess and interpret a political cartoon• Identify and explain the symbolism of Benjamin Franklin’s rattlesnake cartoon• Interpret the significance of the French and Indian War and its impact on America• Map of the French and Indian War• Benjamin Franklin rattlesnake cartoon• Primary Source: The Albany Plan of Union• First Political Cartoons websiteAdditional Resources:• Calloway, Colin G. The Scratch of a Pen: 1763 and the Transformation of NorthAmerica. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.• Movie: The Last of the Mohicans starring Daniel Day Lewis• Book: James Fenimore Cooper: The Last of the Mohicans free ebook for downloading;also at the University of Virginia digital collections• Mark Carnes: Past Imperfect: History According to the MoviesWebsites:• University of Virginia Ebook Library is a resource which allows students to access anddownload historical letters, novels, fictional books, and other resources• Microsoft Reader is the free software required for reading digital books on a computer• Daryl Cagle’s Political Cartoon webpageTeacher Guide Page 1

1. Show the students the map of the French and Indian War.2. Ask them what they know about this “forgotten” American conflict; why is this war notremembered today? List their answers on the white board.a. George Washington was blamed for starting this warb. There was the first effort for colonial unification (Albany Plan of Union)c. It was the first war that Britain fought that began in the coloniesd. It was also known as the Seven Years War (1754-1761)e. Washington and the colonial militia were often denigrated by the British regulars;these slights were never forgotten by Washingtonf. Much of the war was fought in Canadag. The Treaty of Paris 1763 officially ended the war.h. James Fenimore Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans is set during this time period.i. The French were expelled from the North American continent as a result of thiswarj. The British policy of salutary neglect towards the colonies was ended with theremoval of the French threatk. The stage was set for the political turmoil that would lead to the Revolution3. (Optional) The opening sequence of the film, Last of the Mohicans, is a good way tobegin this topic. The film was made in the 1990’s and reflects contemporary Americanattitudes. It is often interesting to compare and contrast the opening of the film with thebeginning of the actual book (this is available as an etext book at Virginia EbookLibrary). One of the important lessons that students should learn is the importance ofbeing able to determine historical truth from Hollywood versions of American history.Mark Carnes book, Past Imperfect, is an outstanding classroom resource.4. Print out a copy of the Albany Plan of Union.5. Have the students read and summarize the Albany Plan and then relate it to the BenjaminFranklin cartoon. Note: The rattlesnake is not dangerous unless bothered orharassed. It gives a warning before striking but when it does, it is deadly.6. Have the students print out a contemporary political cartoon and analyze it in terms of itssignificance.Teacher Guide Page 2

Available on Team Hope WebsiteTeacher Guide Page 3

Benjamin Franklin: Published May 9, 1754 in the Pennsylvania GazetteTeacher Guide Page 4