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From Ohio History Central
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<p>From 1744 until 1748, England and France were engaged in King George's War. During the conflict, England managed to blockade France's colonies in North America. This greatly inhibited the French fur trade with the Native Americans of North America due to a lack of manufactured goods from Europe that could be exchanged for the natives' furs. English businessmen quickly stepped in to fill the void, becoming the major trading partners with the Native Americans in the Ohio Country.</p>
<p>At the war's conclusion, little changed in North America. The respective sides controlled the same territory as they had prior to the conflict. They also both claimed ownership of the Ohio Country. England had a somewhat greater presence in the region due to their improved ability to trade with the natives. In 1748, Comte de la Galissoniere, the highest-ranking French official in North America, ordered Celeron de Bienville (also spelled Celeron de Blainville) to take 250 French soldiers to the Ohio Country to renew old friendships with local Native Americans and to drive the English traders from the region.</p>