The War for Empire in Colonial North America A Discourse on the Causes, Course, Conduct, Characters,...

The War for Empire in Colonial North America

A Discourse on the Causes, Course, Conduct, Characters, Conclusion and Consequences

by: Dennis Kubicki

Why study the F&I War?

It is relevant to current events.

Why Study the F&I War? (cont.)

It helps us

understand our own American Revolution

Why study the F&I War? (cont.)

It started a short distance from here and played itself out in the region (and elsewhere).

Why study the F&I War? (cont.)

It is currently the 250th anniversary of the conflict.

http://www.warforempire.org/

Why study the F&I War? (cont.)

It’s fun!

What were the war’s origins

Over one hundred years of Anglo-French animosity

What were the war’s origins (cont.)

Competing land claims

What were the war’s origins (cont.)

There was rivalry over trade with and the loyalty of Native American tribes

What were the war’s origins (cont.)

The French began to solidify their claims in the Ohio Valley.

What were the war’s origins (cont.)

George Washington precipitated hostilities at Jumonville Glen in 1754.

What were the war’s origins (cont.)

The French retaliated at Fort Necessity in July of that same year.

I need to clarify some terms.

What is a “fort?”

Who is a “soldier?”

Who are the “Indians”

What is a “massacre?”

What is the “campaigning season?”

Campaigns generally* began in the spring and ended in the fall.

*After Braddock’s defeat, Colonel Dunbar went into “winter quarters”…in July.

The early war period was characterized by British defeat.

1755 witnessed the devastating defeat of General Edward Braddock at the Battle of the Monongahela.

The early war period was characterized by British defeat.

The Provincials suffered setbacks in their attempt to take Forts Frontenac and Carillon.

There was one bright spot in 1755.

A British expeditionary force succeeded in capturing Fort Beausejour and control over Nova Scotia.*

*This included the expulsion of most of the Acadians.

The early war period was characterized by British defeat.

The frontier was ablaze and colonial countermeasures were generally ineffective.

The early war period was characterized by British defeat.

With new military leadership on both sides, 1756 saw limited conventional combat and French success at Oswego.

The early war period was characterized by British defeat.

1757, the nadir of British fortunes in North America, witnesses the “massacre” at Fort William Henry.

P.S. On May 18th, a formal state of war was declared by Great Britain.

The European phase of the war (The “Seven Year’s War”) began in earnest.

There were campaigns in:

Silesia (Leuthen)Pomerania (Zorndorf)Bohemia (Prague)Westphalia (Minden)Hanover (Hastenbeck)Saxony (Rossbach)

1758 represented a turning point...

A new British government under William Pitt ushered in a new war philosophy.

Treaty of Easton began a realignment of the Indian Nations.

The provisions included;colonial controls over

settlement,Iroquois dominance

over tribes in the Ohio Valley,

review of the “walking purchase.”

1758 represented a turning point…

Jeffrey Amherst captures Louisbourg.

1758 represented a turning point…

Colonel John Bradstreet captures Fort Frontenac.

1758 represented a turning point…

General John Forbes and Colonel Henry Bouquet succeed where Braddock failed.

…with one exception.

Montcalm repulses a foolish frontal assault at Fort Carillon by an incompetent General Abercromby.

An aside on supply

Logistics were critically important to the projection of military power.

1759 saw the “coups du mortel” to the French in North America

Fort Niagara fell to the British siege despite a valiant defense and an attempt at relief.

1759 saw the “coups du mortel” to the French in North America.

Despite repeated failures, with incredible luck and because of the lack of French resolve, the British are given the fortress of Quebec.

There was a French last gasp in 1760.

A reconstituted French army under Levis defeated the British outside Quebec, but could not sustain a siege.

Peace reigned…until the peace treaty was signed in 1763.

While the war continued elsewhere, there was a general lack of hostilities in mainland North America.

What were the consequences?

The short-term consequences;

Pontiac’s Rebellion,

Increasing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain,

Financial crisis for the British government.

What were the consequences?

The long-term consequences;

Continuing warfare with the Native Americans,

The American Revolution,

A unique government in Canada.

There is a great history of the conflict.

Might there be any questions?