2. Some historians consider the French and Indian war the first global war. How can this be so?

Answer 1

Churchill may have been the first to specifically use that expression, calling it "a world war... the first in history"

And Horace Walpole, first British Prime Minister (18th century) declared, “The volley fired by a young Virginian [Washington] in the backwoods of American set the world on fire"

And they were right.. The expression "French and Indian War" focuses on the conflict in North America --which is where that particular war began. But the conflict grew into an international war, centered on France and England's interests in many places.

The usual name for the "international" part is "The Seven Years War". And it led to HUGE shifts in power...

For the details, and its importance, check out this excellent American Heritage article

"The Real First World War and the Making of America by Fred Anderson
http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2005/6/2005_6_75.shtml