Post on 29-Dec-2015
The Duel for North America
1608 – 1763
By: Mr. Michael R. KahoeDel Valle High School
France Finds a Foothold in Canada
• France got involved in world colonization late– Port Royal (1604)– Quebec (1608) on St. Lawrence River
• Claimed by Samuel de Champlain• Formed an alliance with Huron
tribe– Upsets the Iroquois
France Finds a Foothold in Canada
• King Louis XIV (1643-1715) – took a deep interest in the colonies
France Finds a Foothold in Canada
• New France– Completely autocratic– No representative assemblies– Pop. grew very slowly
• 1750 – only 6,000 French
New France Fans Out
• The beaver proved to be very valuable– Used beaver pelt for hats back in Europe
• Coureurs de bois – “runners of the woods”– Rough and tumble
adventurers– Explored North America
• Baton Rouge• Terre Haute• Des Moines• Grand Teton
New France Fans Out
• French recruited Indians in the fur trade– Natives negatively affected by their presence
• Disease• Violated religious
beliefs• Alcoholism• Ecological
damage (killingoff beaver)
New France Fans Out
• Jesuits – French catholic missionaries– Tried to convert Indians– Served as explorers and geographers
Fur Trading Posts
New France Fans Out• Antoine Cadillac – founded Detroit (“the city of the
straits”)• Robert de la Salle
– Sailed down the Mississippi– Claimed the surroundings
for France• Named it Louisiana
(after Louis XIV)
– Dies in Spanish Texas
• New Orleans (1718)
Clash of Empires
• King William’s War (1689-1697) and Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713)– British colonists versus French coureur de dois– Each side had Indian allies– Used primitive guerilla warfare– French & Indians attacked Schenectady, NY and Deerfield,
Mass.– Spain allies with French
Clash of Empires
– British colonist took Port Royal in Acadia– Peace signed at Utrecht in 1713
• British get Acadia (rename Nova Scotia), Newfoundland & Hudson Bay
• French colonial empire greatly reduced
Clash of Empires
• King George’s War– 1739 – Started with War of Jenkin’s Ear
• British Captain Jenkins stopped by Spanish revenue authorities• He was accused of smuggling• Spanish captain cut off his ear
– Started in Caribbean sea & Georgia– Later became part of the War of Austrian Succession
• France joins on Spain's side– British capture fortress Louisbourg
• 1748 treaty gave it back to French• Colonists upset
George Washington Inaugurates War with France
• Ohio Valley disputed by colonists and France– Colonists wanted to expand west– France wanted control of the fur trade and link its
territories
• 1749 – Virginian speculators secured “rights” to the region– But French were building forts along Ohio River
• Fort Duquesne
George Washington Inaugurates War with France
• 1754 – G. Washington sent to secure the claims– Lt. Colonel– Has 150 militia men
• Encounters a few French troops near Ft. Duquesne and opens fire– French retreat– Washington hastily builds Ft. Necessity
• French return and lay siege– Washington surrenders
Ft. Necessity
Global War & Colonial Disunity
• The Seven Years War (French & Indian War) started in America
• Britain• Prussia
• France• Spain• Austria• Russia
Vs.
• 1754 Albany Congress– discuss defense– Keeping Iroquois loyal
Franklin’s Cartoon
British
• March in formation or bayonet charge.
• Br. officers wanted to take charge of colonials.
• Prima Donna Br. officers with servants & tea settings.
• Drills & tough discipline.
• Colonists should pay for their own defense.
• Indian-style guerilla tactics.
• Col. militias served under own captains.
• No mil. deference or protocols observed.
• Resistance to rising taxes.
• Casual, non-professionals.
Methods ofFighting:
MilitaryOrganization:
MilitaryDiscipline:
Finances:
Demeanor:
British-American Colonial Tensions
British-American Colonial Tensions
Colonials
Braddock’s Blundering
• The war started off badly for British
• 1755 General Edward “Bulldog” Braddock sent to America– 60 yr old vet from European
wars– Had 2,000 men (British regulars
& colonial “buckskin”)
Braddock’s Blundering
• Braddock encounters a small French & Indian force near Ft. Duquesne– He repels them– They return and attack from the outskirts and decimate his
force– Braddock mortally wounded
Braddock’s Blundering
• Washington’s Legend Begins– During encounter, Washington,
seems invincible– 2 of his horses are shot from
under him– 4 bullets pierce his coat
Braddock’s Blundering
• Indians take opportunity to go on warpath throughout colonies– Colonists offer bounties for Indian scalps
• $50 for women• $130 for braves
Pitt’s Palms of Victory
• William Pitt – the “Great Commoner” was a well loved leader & great orator
• 1757 – took charge of the war– Concentrated on Quebec & Montreal area– Picked young and energetic leaders
• Dumped old fuddy-duddies
• 1758 – Louisbourg falls• 1759 – Quebec falls thanks to leadership of James Wolfe• 1760 – Montreal falls
Treaty of Paris (1763)
• England gets French territory in N. America• Spain gets Louisiana• Spain gave England Florida in exchange for Cuba• England severely in debt
North America in 1763
Restless Colonists
• Intercolonial Disunity – caused by:– Distances– Geographical barriers– Conflicting religions– Different nationalities– Different governments
• After war America was a bit more unified
Restless Colonists
• Results of War– Colonists more confident– Shattered myth of British invincibility– Friction develops
• Demoted Washington to Captain• British leaders called colonists “scum”, and “outhouse of
civilization”• Colonists did not full support cause
– Reluctant to fight– Traded with enemy
War’s Fateful Aftermath
• Expansion possible• Natives had to deal solely with British• Chief Pontiac – Ottawa chief who led several tribes
against colonists in Ohio in 1763– Killed 2,000
• Colonists usebiological warfare(smallpox)
Pontiac’s Rebellion
Proclamation Line of 1763• Prevents settlement past the Appalachian Mts.
– To prevent further Indian uprising
• Upset colonists ignore it