Amerique
or
America?

A WebQuest for 8th grade U.S. History and Technology Education

David and Cheryl White
© 2006

Last updated June 20, 2006

#1 Introduction

The colonists faced many challenges in the New World they chose to colonize. There were many issues they were concerned about including self government, land ownership, prosperity, trade and religious freedom. An example of these issues leading to open conflict was the French and Indian War.

The French and Indian War impacted the development of the United States. But do you understand the underlying reasons for the conflict? What if the French and not the British had won the war? How would our nation have developed? Would relations with Native Americans be different? Would you be different?

To understand the "what ifs" you will explore the actual events and the underlying reasons for the conflicts between the French, British, and the Native Americans. After researching your topics, you will create a newspaper from the French perspective. How would your life be different if the French had won the war?

#2 Task

In your History class you have the opportunity to rewrite history. It is 1763, the French and Indian War has ended and what if the French won the war? How does this outcome possibly change what we know about history? Using the sources given, you will research one of the following: economics, colonization, geographical boundaries, and cultural development. Based on your research, you will write an article about the changes that may have occurred.

In your Graphic Arts class, you are employed by a newspaper. You will work in teams, creating and publishing a newspaper. The newspaper will include the written articles from your History class plus editorials, political cartoons, advertisements, and feature articles, etc.

#3 Process

• In your History class you will be assigned to research one of the four primary topics of the French and Indian War:
  1. Economics
  2. Colonization
  3. Geographical boundaries
  4. Cultural development
• You will research your assigned topic using the following links and textbook
  1. Maps
     • French Map
     • Indian Map
  2. Letters
     • Letter from George Washington to Francis Fauquier (click on transcription)
     • Letter from George Washington to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun
     • George Washington's letter to the House of Burgesses about Fort Necessity
     • George Washington in the Ohio Valley
     • Fort Necessity
  3. Pictures
     • French and Indian War pictures
     • Picture of British and Indians fighting
     • British officer stopping a man from being burned
  4. French point of view
     • Amerindians and the Colonies
     • Foundations of the French and Indian Alliance
     • French perspective
     • Introduction of France into the New World
  5. Non Library of Congress additional link
     • Overview of French and Indian War in Pennsylvania - Mary Jemison personal story
  6. Textbook
     • Danzer, Gerald A., The Americans, McDougal Littell, 2003. Chapter 3 Section 4
• After researching your topic, decide on possible affects and changes that might have occurred if the French had won the war.
• Write an article on your assigned topic from the French perspective stating your opinion concerning possible changes.
• In your Industrial Technology class you will create and publish a newspaper. You will be divided evenly into separate groups. Each group will use an article from each category that was written in your History class. In addition,your newspaper may include information from the following categories:
  • World news
  • Local news
  • Entertainment
  • Foods
  • Advertisements
  • Political Cartoons
  • Classifieds
  • Weather

#4 Evaluation

History grades will be based on individual articles submitted by students based on History Rubric.

Technology 8 grades will be based on a group evaluation for each newspaper based on the Tech Rubric.

#5 Conclusion

In history wars have not always led to the end of a conflict. In some cases they have actually led to another more devastating conflict. This is often thought of concerning the end of World War I, as many believe and history supports, that the policies and conditions of the Treaty of Versailles acutely led to World War II. The French and Indian War had a big impact on the history of the United States as we know it today. The big question remains, how would your life be different if the French had won the French and Indian War? Based on what you have researched, write a 3 paragraph concluding statement explaining how your life would be different, or not, if the French had won the war. Would the growth of the British colonies have been halted or just slowed down? Would there have been a Revolutionary War or just one later down the road? Would the treatment of Native Americans have been different or would they have fought another war against another European power later on? Place yourself in North America during 1763 knowing what you know today in 2006, then asked yourself if you would pronounce it Amerique or America?

#6 Credits and References

Designed by David and Cheryl White © June 20, 2006, teachers at Jefferson-Morgan High School in partnership with An Adventure of the American Mind at Waynesburg College. Last updated June 20, 2006.

Template created April 2006 by Amy Martin, An Adventure of the American Mind at Waynesburg based on a template designed by Lisa Bradshaw, An Adventure of the American Mind - Colorado.

Many ideas for webquest content and worksheets were adapted by permission from An Adventure of the American Mind - Northern Virginia Partnership, Dr. Rhonda Clevenson, Director.