The French and Indian Wars (1689-1763) was the name given to the North American colonial wars between England and France in the late 17th and 18th centuries, the aim of which was dominantion of the eastern part of the continent. The Ohio Valley was particularly beautiful and fertile and claimed by both countries. The French explored the country and caused leaden plates engraved with the arms of France to deposited at its principal points to attest their claim. In this late 1800s engraving, French explorers are depicted burying leaden plates.