The British victories over the French in North America from 1758-1760 not only greatly impacted European history but American history as well. The battle for North America was tied to the Seven Year's War (1756-1763). This was a European war between Britain and France and their allies (Austria for France and Prussia for Britain). A main source of contention between the two countries was being the dominant power in North America. Although France and Britain managed to remain at peace in Europe until 1756, they created a virtual state of war in North America. The pivotal point of the war occurred in 1754 when George Washington clashed with French troops. In response, the British dispatched General Edward Braddock and a thousand regular troops to North America to seize Fort Duquesne in Ohio. Unfortunately General Braddock was defeated in 1755 when he was ambushed by French, Canadian, and Indian soldiers. The British were also defeated by the French in 1756 and 1757 during minor battles. At this point, the French were slowly dominating central New York and Western New England. Back in Europe, British were also losing the Seven Year war.

Two developments turned the tide for the British. The Iroquois and most Ohio Indiana abandoned their support of the French. This allowed the British to capture French forts in Ohio. The second decisive development occurred hen William Pitt took control of military affairs in the British cabinet. Pitt was able to mobilize soldiers in the American colonies by promising that if they raised the necessary men, the British parliament would bear the cost of fighting the war. The impact of this decision was immediate. Anglo-American troops captured various French forts and by 1760, the French resistance ended when they surrendered.

British victory in North America had great impact on the American colonies. France gave up all its lands and claims east of the Mississippi (except New Orleans) to Britain. Neither France nor Britain wanted the other to control Louisiana, so in the Treaty of San Ildefonso (1762), France ceded the vast territory to Spain. Therefore, France's empire in North America was reduced to a few islands off of Newfoundland and the West Indies. The British gained control in eastern North America.