French

=Perspectives on American History: The French= by Shane Moller and Reece Milks




 * INTRODUCTION:** The French are a European country that live in between the Spanish and British. Some of the other groups that the French might have interacted or traded with was: Spain and England. Some geographical features in France that may have limited the group's movement are: The Alps and the Atlantic Ocean. The French would eventually shape American history by colonizing and settling the northern part of North America (especially Canada), fighting the British in the French and Indian War, engaging in the fur trade with Native American groups like the Iroquois, and competing with the English and the Spanish for control of North America.


 * RELIGION (World view):** Most French in 1492 were Roman Catholic Christian. They belived that one god created everything in his image. They were sent into the world to farm land and take care of nature. Their god was merciful. Those who defy God may end in death. To the the French there is a heaven and hell.


 * HISTORY: Some important events in history are:**

Lots of powerful kings emerged in France.
 * 1492: Columbus’ Arrival in the Americas**

The Italian War that happened during this time, also the French began the fur trade with Native Americans.
 * 1521: Cortes Encounters the Aztecs in Mexico**

Quebec was founded in 1608.
 * 1607:The English arrive at Jamestown**

The French had contact with the South Africans in 1687.
 * 1687: English Colonies Expand**

The French and the Indians fought together against the British in the French and Indian War, from 1754-1763. This war was a battle for control of the fur trade and of the lands in northern North America. At the end of this war, France gave Britain Canada and they gave Spain Louisiana.
 * 1776-1787: American Revolution; U.S. Constitution**

35,000 French were forced out of St. Dominigue in 1802, also in this time period was when the French Revolution happened in France.
 * 1802: Tlingit Battle the Russians at Sitk**

Louis Daguerre gets a patent for the camera in 1839. Angers Bridge collapsed in 1850 as 478 soldiers crossed, and 229 died. The Franco Prussian War happened in 1863. The French win in the First Franco Dahomean War in 1890.
 * 1839: The Amistad; the Trail of Tears**

France is now a part of the European Union. 4% of the U.S. population (according to the 2000 U.S. Census) is French-American.
 * 2009: Today**


 * SOURCES:** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_and_Indian_War#Outcome, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_American