The Struggle for Empire

The Struggle for Empire

Lecture 4

Frontier ConflictFrontier Conflict

Throughout the first half of the 18th century Britain and France fought a series of wars along the frontier b/w their colonies in North America.

The conflict focused on control over the lucrative fur trade and French efforts to thwart British and American expansion into the interior of North America.

Each side relied on Native alliances to conduct much of the fighting.

Throughout the first half of the 18th century Britain and France fought a series of wars along the frontier b/w their colonies in North America.

The conflict focused on control over the lucrative fur trade and French efforts to thwart British and American expansion into the interior of North America.

Each side relied on Native alliances to conduct much of the fighting.

From Deerfield to LouisbourgFrom Deerfield to Louisbourg

The Raid on Deerfield occurred during Queen Anne's War on February 29, 1704, when French and Native American forces under the command of Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville attacked the English settlement at Deerfield, Massachusetts just before dawn, burning part of the town and killing 56 villagers.

The Raid on Deerfield occurred during Queen Anne's War on February 29, 1704, when French and Native American forces under the command of Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville attacked the English settlement at Deerfield, Massachusetts just before dawn, burning part of the town and killing 56 villagers.

French organizers of the raid drew on a variety of Indian populations, including in the force of about 300 a number of Pocumtucs who had once lived in the Deerfield area.

The diversity of personnel involved in the raid meant that it did not achieve full surprise when they entered the palisaded village.

The defenders of some fortified houses in the village successfully held off the raiders until arriving reinforcements prompted their retreat.

More than 100 captives were taken, and about 40 percent of the village houses were destroyed.

French organizers of the raid drew on a variety of Indian populations, including in the force of about 300 a number of Pocumtucs who had once lived in the Deerfield area.

The diversity of personnel involved in the raid meant that it did not achieve full surprise when they entered the palisaded village.

The defenders of some fortified houses in the village successfully held off the raiders until arriving reinforcements prompted their retreat.

More than 100 captives were taken, and about 40 percent of the village houses were destroyed.

The raid has been immortalized as a part of the early American frontier story, principally due to the account of one of its captives, the Rev. John Williams.

He and his family were forced to make the long overland journey to Canada, and his daughter Eunice was adopted by a Mohawk family; she took up their ways.

Williams' account, The Redeemed Captive, was published in 1707 and was widely popular in the colonies.

The raid has been immortalized as a part of the early American frontier story, principally due to the account of one of its captives, the Rev. John Williams.

He and his family were forced to make the long overland journey to Canada, and his daughter Eunice was adopted by a Mohawk family; she took up their ways.

Williams' account, The Redeemed Captive, was published in 1707 and was widely popular in the colonies.

The Battle of LouisbourgThe Battle of Louisbourg

The French Indian War 1754-1763The French Indian War 1754-1763

In 1754 a struggle began b/w American colonists and the French and their Native American allies for control of the Ohio valley.

The dispute would ignite a final clash of empires, a world war that would lead British to victory and the end of French control in North America and elsewhere.

In 1754 a struggle began b/w American colonists and the French and their Native American allies for control of the Ohio valley.

The dispute would ignite a final clash of empires, a world war that would lead British to victory and the end of French control in North America and elsewhere.

The French and Indian War would become part of the conflict known as the Seven Years War (1756-1763).

Fighting also took place in Europe, Indian Subcontinent, in West Africa, and in the Caribbean.

The French and Indian War would become part of the conflict known as the Seven Years War (1756-1763).

Fighting also took place in Europe, Indian Subcontinent, in West Africa, and in the Caribbean.

Differences in reason for fighting b/w British and American Colonists.

Differences in reason for fighting b/w British and American Colonists.

The British sought global primacy and an end to French military and commercial challenges to its interest.

The American colonists objective was more local wanting to end Native raids on their colonies and open the Ohio River Valley to settlement.

This led to colonies organizing their own military expeditions and settlements.

The British sought global primacy and an end to French military and commercial challenges to its interest.

The American colonists objective was more local wanting to end Native raids on their colonies and open the Ohio River Valley to settlement.

This led to colonies organizing their own military expeditions and settlements.

George WashingtonGeorge Washington Watch to video and answer the following questions: 1. How old was George Washington? 2. What was he sent to do? 3. How did Washington change the rules of war? 4. What is Benjamin Franklins vision for America? 5. How is expansion being fuelled by Franklin? 6. Which Native group is the most powerful over the

Ohio Valley? 7. What happens to the native alliance with

Washington? 8. Describe the difference in fighting strategy b/w the

natives and Americans.

Watch to video and answer the following questions: 1. How old was George Washington? 2. What was he sent to do? 3. How did Washington change the rules of war? 4. What is Benjamin Franklins vision for America? 5. How is expansion being fuelled by Franklin? 6. Which Native group is the most powerful over the

Ohio Valley? 7. What happens to the native alliance with

Washington? 8. Describe the difference in fighting strategy b/w the

natives and Americans.

British VictoryBritish Victory

Although Fort Duquesne was captured the British were successful in taking over the following Forts:

1. Fort Frontenac 2. Louisbourg 3. Battle of Quebec (Plains of

Abraham) 4. Montreal (1760)

Although Fort Duquesne was captured the British were successful in taking over the following Forts:

1. Fort Frontenac 2. Louisbourg 3. Battle of Quebec (Plains of

Abraham) 4. Montreal (1760)

Getting to Know Chief PontiacGetting to Know Chief Pontiac

The Royal Proclamation of 1763The Royal Proclamation of 1763

Check Your UnderstandingCheck Your Understanding 1. Explain the North American causes of conflict

between the British and the French. 2. How did the American colonists benefit from British

victory in the Seven Years War? 3. What role did the Native Americans play in the wars

between the British and the French? 4. What role did the American colonists play in

defeating France? 5. Why was general Wolfe’s victory at Quebec

important for the American colonists? 6. What was the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763?

1. Explain the North American causes of conflict between the British and the French.

2. How did the American colonists benefit from British victory in the Seven Years War?

3. What role did the Native Americans play in the wars between the British and the French?

4. What role did the American colonists play in defeating France?

5. Why was general Wolfe’s victory at Quebec important for the American colonists?

6. What was the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763?