France's influence in North America was tied to the fur trade -- they set up trading posts in Canada and around the Great Lakes, and maintained relationships with the native Indians.<span> </span>Meanwhile, British colonists settled along the Atlantic coast -- pushing the American Indians further inward.<span> </span>In the 1750's, France and Britain were both building empires, and came to blows over the land between their American settlements -- the Ohio River Valley.<span> </span><span>However, the Indians also called this land home, and they would play a valuable role in the war by tipping the balance of power in favor of one of the European </span>
France's influence in North America was tied to the fur trade -- they set up trading posts in Canada and around the Great Lakes, and maintained relationships with the native Indians. Meanwhile, British colonists settled along the Atlantic coast -- pushing the American Indians further inward. In the 1750's, France and Britain were both building empires, and came to blows over the land between their American settlements -- the Ohio River Valley. However, the Indians also called this land home, and they would play a valuable role in the war by tipping the balance of power in favor of one of the European empires.
