French and Indian war part 2

What started the French and Indian War in 1754?

A skirmish between George Washington and French forces in modern-day Pennsylvania triggered the conflict. This local dispute escalated into a worldwide global conflict.

What is another name for the French and Indian War and why is it confusing?

The Seven Years War, which is confusing because it actually lasted nine years (1754-1763).

How was the French and Indian War different from previous colonial conflicts?

Previous conflicts were indecisive and didn't change much. The French and Indian War changed everything and established Britain as a global empire.

What was the Albany Plan of Union?

A plan to streamline the chaotic colonial war effort by creating a unified colonial government. It failed because individual colonial governments were uneasy about vesting power in a broader colonial authority.

Why were colonists suspicious of the Albany Plan of Union?

They remembered the hated Dominion of New England, which had shut down colonial legislatures including the Massachusetts General Court.

What was Britain's secret weapon in the French and Indian War?

Britain's ability to raise money on credit through a national bank and representative government. This allowed them to spend their way to victory despite having a smaller army and population than France.

Why could Britain borrow money more effectively than France?

Britain had a national bank and Parliament that controlled spending. Investors felt confident they'd be repaid because Parliament could be voted out if it defaulted. French monarchs could simply tear up loan agreements with no consequences.

How did Britain's national debt change during the Seven Years War?

Britain's debt roughly doubled. By the eve of the American Revolution, over half the British budget was spent just paying interest on debt.

What happened at Braddock's Defeat in 1755?

British General Braddock tried to invade Canada but his army was ambushed in woodland, likely in modern-day New York. The British fought in European-style line formations and were massacred. George Washington helped organize the retreat.

Who was William Pitt and why was he important?

William Pitt became Prime Minister after early British defeats. Unlike previous leaders who saw the colonies as a sideshow, Pitt made North American conquest the primary goal. He raised vast sums of money and replaced incompetent generals.

What were the two key French cities in North America?

Quebec and Montreal along the St. Lawrence River. These cities contained most of New France's population and managed the French war effort.

Why was Quebec difficult to capture?

Quebec was well-fortified on an elevation above the St. Lawrence River. French troops could fire down on attackers, making it extremely difficult to storm with 18th-century weapons.

What happened at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1759)?

General James Wolfe spotted a pass behind Quebec and moved thousands of British troops there overnight. When the French discovered them in the morning, they hastily assembled but were defeated in minutes. Both Wolfe and French commander Montcalm were killed.

What military lesson did American colonials learn from the war?

That European-style fighting (line formations, bright uniforms) didn't work well in American woodland. They favored irregular warfare, ambushes, and adopting Native American tactics, as practiced by Rogers' Rangers.

What military lesson did the British learn from the war?

That European-style professional soldiers (especially grenadiers with bayonets) ultimately win wars. They viewed colonial militia as unreliable and fussy, unwilling to fight far from home.

What did Britain gain from the Treaty of Paris (1763)?

Britain acquired territory greater in size than the Roman Empire at its height, including most of Canada and expanded territory in India, establishing itself as a global empire.

What was the Royal Proclamation of 1763?

A decree that established a boundary line preventing colonial settlers from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. It was intended to prevent conflicts with Native Americans.

Why did colonists resent the Proclamation of 1763?

They felt betrayed - they had fought the war partly to gain access to western lands, but now Britain was blocking expansion. It seemed like Britain was doing what the French had done: cutting colonists off from their frontier destiny.

Was the Proclamation Line enforceable?

No, it was essentially unenforceable. Britain lacked the soldiers and resources to police such a vast boundary from Maine to Georgia, even with modern technology this would be extremely difficult.

What was Pontiac's Rebellion (1763)?

An uprising led by Pontiac, a charismatic leader of the Shawnee and Ottawa tribes. After France abandoned its Native American allies, these tribes rebelled against British expansion. The rebellion was costly for Britain to suppress.

Who were the Paxton Boys?

A group of mostly Scots-Irish frontiersmen who massacred about 20 peaceful Susquehannock Native Americans in the Conestoga Massacre, then marched on Philadelphia with grievances. Benjamin Franklin convinced them to disperse.

What pattern does the Conestoga Massacre illustrate?

A recurring pattern where peaceful, assimilating Native Americans suffer most from anti-Native violence, while hostile Native leaders are often harder to target. This happened with praying town Indians, during Bacon's Rebellion, and here.

What was significant about British tactics in Pontiac's Rebellion?

Lord Jeffrey Amherst sent blankets used by smallpox victims to Pontiac's allies - one of the first documented examples of biological warfare in world history. This showed a chilling application of Enlightenment scientific knowledge.

How did French intellectual Voltaire explain the war?

He dismissively said it was fought over "a few acres of snow in Canada," missing the larger significance of the conflict.

What was the debt-to-GDP ratio problem for Britain?

Debt before the war was about 80% of national product. After 1763, it increased dramatically. By the American Revolution, over half the budget went just to paying interest, not even reducing the principal.

Why were people in Britain and the colonies frightened by national debt?

The national bank could raise money without taxing people or much democratic oversight. For those committed to democratic values, this seemed dangerous. For people who had experienced debt or servitude, government willingly going into debt seemed insane.

What was the disagreement between Hamilton and Jefferson about the war's lessons?

Hamilton admired Britain's strong financial system and wanted America to copy it, seeing national defense and strong banking as linked. Jefferson and Jackson feared banks with power but no democratic oversight.

What advantage did the British have in troop transport and supply?

Britain's large navy was crucial for transporting troops and supplies to the colonies, and for cutting off French supplies from arriving in Canada.

What was the population comparison between France and Britain?

Even in the early 19th century, France's population was triple that of Great Britain. France "outclassed" Britain in most traditional military measures.

What was unusual about British grenadiers by the 18th century?

Despite their name, they no longer threw hand grenades. They were selected for being big, strong, and resistant to injury, and specialized in bayonet charges rather than shooting.

Why did the British view militia as unreliable?

Militia wouldn't leave their home territories, weren't professional soldiers, and would likely run during serious fighting. They were defensive forces, not suitable for offensive operations.

What was Rogers' Rangers?

A colonial military unit trained to fight using Native American tactics. The modern U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment traces its descent from this group.

What does Benjamin West's painting "The Death of Wolfe" suggest?

The painting shows Wolfe dying in a pose similar to Michelangelo's Pietà (Mary holding dead Jesus). This portrays Wolfe as a Christ-like savior figure who delivered the colonies from the French threat.

Why did the French think they "dodged a bullet" in the peace treaty?

The French feared Britain would annex a Caribbean sugar island. Britain chose not to because it would flood the market and lower sugar prices. The French thought losing Canada was the lesser loss, but were probably wrong given Canada's modern GDP and population.

What was the significance of ending "salutary neglect"?

Right when colonies were most independent (French threat gone, proven they could fight), Britain increased regulation and oversight. This created resentment, like parents becoming strict just as a child reaches adolescence.

Why did ending salutary neglect seem like bad timing?

The colonies had proven they could fight and die for Britain, the French threat was eliminated, and they felt they had earned western lands. Instead, Britain clamped down with more control and restrictions.

What did colonists no longer fear after 1763?

The "French Menace" - the Catholic, hostile French military power headquartered at the "stronghold of Satan" in Louisbourg. French power in North America was permanently broken.

Why did the elimination of the French threat weaken colonial-British ties?

If colonial wars brought colonies together, and the French threat was gone, who were the British really protecting colonists from? Britain struggled to explain why colonists still needed British protection.

What was the irony about British debt and democracy?

Banks could raise money through bonds without direct taxation or much democratic oversight. This was frightening to people who valued democratic control over government finances.

How many times was General Wolfe shot at Quebec?

He was shot two or three times during the battle. Bizarrely, each time he insisted "I got this, I'm good" before eventually dying from his wounds.

What happened when Highland Scottish regiments charged at Quebec?

After the British line fired, Scottish Highland regiments charged through the smoke screaming Gaelic war cries and wielding their claymore swords (the war swords, not the large double-handed swords). This broke French morale completely.

Why did the British load muskets with two musket balls at Quebec?

This "redneck" tactic increased the destructive power of each volley. When fired all at once, the French advanced guard "disappeared in a cloud of smoke."

What was the British doctrine for musket fire?

Don't aim - if you take time to aim, you're doing it wrong. The goal is for everyone to fire at once to create maximum shock and fear, not precise targeting.

What compromise did Benjamin Franklin make with the Paxton Boys?

Franklin convinced the armed frontiersmen to disperse instead of potentially overthrowing the Pennsylvania government. He promised to personally bring their grievances to the Pennsylvania legislature.

What pattern do the Paxton Boys represent?

Another conflict between eastern colonial governments and aggrieved western frontiersmen who felt the government was out of touch with frontier interests. This was seen in multiple colonies, not just Pennsylvania.