occurred in the Americas were just spillovers from the wars in Europe. If there was a problem over territory in the colonies, it was usually fought over in Europe. This war reshaped America and literally was a catalyst for launching the New World on a course to be a great power.

The stage was set for a major confrontation. There were three main powers vying for territory in the New World. Spain had land and they were looking for gold. England had established colonies that were focused on tobacco and were expanding into the fur trading business. The French had a stake in the fur trading and pioneered much of the early explorations of the land in search for more fur. No matter how large the land was therewas going to be a conflict soon. It was just a matter of time.

The Ohio Valley was a very desirable section of land. It was comprised of what we have today in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Carolinas, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The land was rich and the wildlife was plentiful. The English had claimed the Virginias and the Crown had awarded land to several financial companies to expand the tobacco industry and to capitalize on the fur trade which was beginning to boom across Europe with the wonderful furs the Americas possessed. The French had claimed what is now Canada. The Spanish were deeper south. The trouble began when the French began to look longingly at the Ohio Valley and decided that they had to have it.

This area had