The Colonial Economy and the
Colonial Wars
Summary . . .• Two different cultural centers:
– New England– Chesapeake Bay
• Broad participation in government.• Basic concept of “English liberties.”• Little or no tolerance.• Conditions improve in the South.• Conditions appear to deteriorate in New England.
The Imperial Economic System
Basic principles . . .• No understanding of modern capitalism.• “Fair price.”• Government supported (dictated) monopolies.• Major elements of the colonial economy:
– agriculture– commerce– limited manufacturing
• rum• ships
The “TriangleTrade”
The “Triangle Trade”
TimberSkins
RumFood
TobaccoNaval stores
Fish
Rice
SugarMolasses Slaves
ManufacturedGoods
Deer hides
Closed Economic Systems
The “Colonial Wars”
French
SpanishEnglish
Indians
Indians
Indians
English colonial military organization
• English colonies in North America primarily civilian.
• Mercenary military advisors.• Miles Standish• John Smith
• Settlers bring traditional concept of militia• Universal military obligation, 16-60.
• Settlers also bring fear of standing army.
The “American Way of War”English vs. Indians
• “Civilization” vs. “Savagery”• English colonists in North America:
• Highly ethnocentric • A long way from England• A naturally violent society (Thirty Years’ War)
• Defeat = annihilation• Pequot War a good example.
The “American Way of War”English vs. Indians
• Technology actually not that important.– Bows more accurate and dependable– Firearms only more impressive
• Key factors:– Objective (annihilation)
• Coordination• Discipline
– Use of Indian allies– Economic domination of Indian culture
The “Colonial Wars”
• King William’s War • Queen Anne’s War • King George’s War• French and Indian War
• War of the League of Augsburg• War of the Spanish Succession• War of the Austrian Succession• Seven Years’ War
New York City
Albany
TiconderogaFrench, 1755-1759British, 1759-1775US, 1775-1777British, 1777-1779
Crown PointFrench, 1730’s-1759British, 1759-1773
New York City
Albany
TiconderogaFrench, 1755-1759British, 1759-1775US, 1775-1777British, 1777-1779
Crown PointFrench, 1730’s-1759British, 1759-1773Iroquois
ConfederationFrench
New York City
Albany
TiconderogaFrench, 1755-1759British, 1759-1775US, 1775-1777British, 1777-1779
Crown PointFrench, 1730’s-1759British, 1759-1773Iroquois
ConfederationFrench
Characteristics of Colonial military service and operations:
• Few British Regulars in the colonies• Militia used primarily for immediate local
defense (frontier).• Wartime operations conducted by:
• Deployed Regular forces • Colonial volunteers• Indians allies
Militia
RegularsColonial
VolunteersIndians
British Command
Militia
British Command
What Americans “learned” . . .
• Military service = $$• British soldiers are scum• British officers are stupid and arrogant• American ways of fighting are superior
• American-British military contact sows seeds of rebellion.
• Militia an important concept, but others fight.
Seven Years’ Waraka: “French and Indian War”
“The Great War for Empire”
• Starts in North America instead of Europe.• Virginia opposition to French presence in
Ohio Valley.• Major George Washington sent to warn
French off.
“Braddock’s Defeat”
Fort Duquesne
Virginia
“Braddock’s Defeat”
Main Body
Advance Guard
British
French
“Braddock’s Defeat”
Main Body
Advance Guard
British
French
“Braddock’s Defeat”
Main Body
Advance Guard
British
French
“Braddock’s Defeat”
duh ?
“Braddock’s Defeat”
duh ?
“Braddock’s Defeat”
“Braddock’s Defeat”
“Oh, @#$%^!!”
“Braddock’s Defeat”
“Braddock’s Defeat”
“Braddock’s Defeat”Remnants of Advance Guard
Main Body
“Braddock’s Defeat”
“???”
“Braddock’s Defeat”
“Oh, @#$%^!!!”
Lessons of “Braddock’s Defeat”
• American colonials: British are stupid. • They don’t understand how to fight here.
• In reality: Tactical mistake by commander of the advanced guard.
The Seven Years’ War• Fought in Europe as well as North America.• Same as previous wars . . .• . . . except Britain not doing too well . . .• until William Pitt become Prime Minister.
– understand this is a war for empire,– raises more $$$,– focus shifts to North America.
What Americans “learned” . . .• Military service = $$• British soldiers are scum• British officers are stupid and arrogant• American ways of fighting are superior
• American-British military contact sows seeds of rebellion.
• Militia an important concept, but others fight.
These “military” lessons will morph into social and political lessons.