Pontiac's War began as a direct response to British colonial policies that followed the end of the French and Indian War. After the British gained control of formerly French-held territories, dissatisfaction brewed among Indigenous groups. Pontiac, an influential Ottawa chief, sought to unite various tribes against the encroaching British settlements. On May 7, 1763, he initiated a well-planned siege against Fort Detroit, a critical stronghold located on the north bank of the Detroit River. This fort was pivotal, both strategically and symbolically, in the efforts to maintain British control over the region after the Treaty of Paris (1763).

Pontiac's forces, comprised of tribes including the Ottawa, Huron, and others, launched surprise attacks on British settlers and military outposts throughout the Great Lakes. The siege at Fort Detroit was marked by significant skirmishes and the consolidation of tribal alliances. The British garrison, commanded by Major Henry Gladwin, was initially caught off guard but managed to fortify their defenses. Over the next few months, the siege intensified, leading to fluctuating morale among both the attackers and defenders.

Pontiac's strategy involved psychological warfare and cut-off supplies to force the British into submission. In a dramatic display of unity among diverse tribes, Pontiac's War represented a rare instance of Indigenous resistance against colonial encroachment. While the siege itself did not immediately succeed, it set the tone for the protracted conflict that would spread across the Ohio Valley and beyond, establishing Pontiac as a significant figure in Native American history.