What was the role of the ohio river valley in the growing conflict between the french, native americans, and british in the mid 1700's?

What was the role of the Ohio river valley in the growing conflict between the French, Native Americans, and British in the mid 1700's?

  Both the French and British wanted to control the region so as to better exploit the lucrative fur and lumber resources in the area. The colonists idea of expansion was important to make their land a bigger area.

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