European countries were eager to gobble up a CZ much land as possible in the New World.

Sometimes this competition turned into open warfare, and the French and Indian War is a perfect example of this.

Here's a crash course of five things about the war to get you North America was a big, beautiful place full of endless opportunities and Great Britain and France, each one in a piece of the action.

The British controlled their 13 colonies, and we're looking to expand west the French occupied Canada and we're looking to expand south.

It was inevitable that they bump into each other, and that's exactly what happened in the Ohio River Valley, an important trading area with access to the Mississippi River.

The French and Indian War marked the debut of 21 year old George Washington Ah, lieutenant colonel for the militia in the British colony of Virginia.

In 17 54 he was ordered to protect a British fort near what is now Pittsburgh.

On the way, Washington encountered Ah French military unit, and the two sides fought in the first battle of the French and Indian war.

The battle of Juman Ville Glenn Washington was young, but he was quickly gaining the experience he would need toe eventually command the Continental Army.

Years of territorial scuffles turned into a full blown declarations of war in 17 56 As fighting broke out, the British and French sought allies among the local Native American populations.

The French were familiar with many tribes, your trade and recruited the Potter with Tommy Winnebago, Ojibwa, Mrs Saga and the Huron.

While the British turned in the era Quick Confederacy.

At first the French were winning a lot.

They simply had more troops and better supplies than the British army and drove them back towards the 13 colonies of the tide turned in 17 57 when British Secretary of State William Pitt took control of the war effort, dreaming of a vast British empire, he made it his mission to defeat the French in North America.

Pouring and generous funds to beef up military resource is on the ground.

The war ended with the French defeat at the Battle of Quebec and the signing of the Treaty of Paris In 17 63 the British gain control of Canada and all land east of the Mississippi River.

It may seem that the British made out well, after all was said and done.

But there was a catch.

You see, William Pitt borrowed heavily to finance the French and Indian War, which left his nation in tons of debt to make up for it.

The British taxed American colonists up the wazoo.

Americans didn't particularly appreciate this year's of protests, rallies, town hall meetings and petitions would eventually lead to the American Revolution and the creation of the United States.

The French and Indian War may not have had.

The glorious battles are fearless heroes of other great conflicts, but it was one of the most consequential wars in American history.