Colonial Wars of the 18th Century
Clash of Empires: The first World Wars – England vs. France … an
ongoing affair. See p. 95 for a complete breakdown.
King William's War (1689-1697), northern frontiers.
Queen Anne's War (1702-1713), Caribbean and northern
frontiers, Treaty of Utrecht (1713) ended colonial wars for
nearly three decades.
In American colonies, a generation of peace and noninterference from Parliament, "Salutary Neglect."
Whigs felt if colonies were left alone to run their own affairs,
they would produce more wealth and cause less trouble.
England would provide protection, commerce, and ensure law
& order.
King George's War (1744-1748), Fighting in Acadia and Nova Scotia,
Spain again allied with France against Britain. Peace Treaty of
1748, colonists were furious with concessions.
Common thread throughout conflicts, origins in Europe, new
world as backstage.
Albany Congress (1754) - A colonial attempt at unity amidst the wars
Board of Trade called leaders from all the colonies to meet in
Albany.
Long-range purpose, greater colonial unity; strong defense
against France.
Albany Plan for Union - Benjamin Franklin created plan for
colonial home rule (see below Franklin’s political cartoon
created during the French and Indian War.)
How does this cartoon foreshadow things to come?
Individual colonies rejected it, not enough independence,
British rejected it, too much independence.
The French & Indian War (1754-1763 - Seven Years' War)
Main issue was the Ohio Valley. British were pushing west,
wary of French influence In North America. French
needed to retain the Ohio Valley as the link between
Canada and the lower Mississippi Valley & Caribbean.
England, Prussia vs. Russia, France, Austria, Spain
French have upper hand until William Pitt becomes Prime
Minister of Great Britain. Pitt commits military, witches,
and economic resources to victory in British North America.
Strategy becomes victory in North America in order to
win the greater war.
French finally defeated at Battle of Quebec (1760)
Peace of Paris (1763)
France is removed from North America. Lands east of
Mississippi River ceded to England, lands west of
Mississippi (most importantly New Orleans) transferred
to Spain.
Great Britain emerged as the dominant power in N. America.
Friction between the colonies and Britain
British upset with lack of support from the colonies (militarily
and economically.) Ridicule the role of colonials in the
war.
Colonies emerged from war with increased confidence in
their security and military strength, settlers no longer
feel completely dependent on British for protection from
the French and their Indian allies. Also resentment
grows over the British dismissal of colonial efforts
during the war.
The Struggle for the Ohio Valley
Native tribes left out of the Peace Treaty Negotiations of 1763.
Indian tribes are angered by cession of French lands to
British (this had discounted their claim to the land.)
Neolin (the Delaware Prophet), delivers a message that the white
ways have corrupted the Indian, that all of the Indian people
must reject the ways of whites and drive them out.
Pontiac’s Rebellion (May 1763-1764)
Chief Pontiac, of the Ottawa, leads attacks upon British forts
and colonial settlements, kills thousands of settlers but
cannot displace whites.
With continued pressure by settlers, many Indian tribes
begin to sign treaties giving up lands.
Iroquois surrender claims to Ohio Valley in Treaty of Fort
Stanwix, 1768. Cherokee surrender claims upper Tennessee
River in Treaty of Hard Labor, 1768 (opened W. Virginia and
Kentucky to settlement).
Proclamation of 1763 (October 7, 1763)
Prohibited colonials to move west of the Appalachians.
Lands west of Appalachians to be made Indian land (still
subject to British claims).
British aim: Settle land disputes with Indians fairly (to prevent
future problems), organize settlement & defense.
Colonials infuriated (veterans felt betrayed, land speculators
argued that land was a birthright of British citizens).
Colonials generally ignored the Proclamation and settlers
respond with raids into Indian country (Paxton Boys – vigilante
group from Western PA.).