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The Duel for North America (1688-1763)

CHAPTER 6: THE DUEL FOR NORTH AMERICA (1688-1763)

Key Terms

  • Huguenots: French Protestants who fled persecution, many settled in America.

  • St. Lawrence River: Major North American river that served as a critical transportation route for early explorers and settlers.

  • Frederick the Great: King of Prussia whose military strategies influenced European wars, including those in North America.

  • Albany Congress: A meeting of representatives from seven colonies in 1754 aimed at coordinating colonial defenses against the French and their Indian allies, proposing a plan of union.

  • Fort Necessity: The site of George Washington's first military engagement and defeat in 1754, marking the start of the French and Indian War.

  • William Pitt: British statesman who played a vital role in turning the tide of the French and Indian War in favor of the British.

  • James Wolfe: British general known for his role in the Siege of Quebec which marked a significant victory for Britain in 1759.

  • Proclamation of 1763: Issued by King George III, prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to stabilize relations with Native Americans.

  • Pontiac’s Rebellion: A post-war rebellion in 1763 led by Native American tribes against British expansion into the Great Lakes area.

FRENCH COMPETITION

Champlain's French Explorations

  • Early Exploration Timeline:

    • 1603: Samuel de Champlain's first voyage to North America.

    • 1604: Establishment of the first European settlement in Canada.

    • 1609: Exploration of the St. Lawrence River and surrounding regions.

    • 1615-16: Further explorations in the Ontario and Huron regions.

  • Huguenots: Flight of Huguenots post-Edicts of Nantes (1598), impacting French settlements in North America.

  • Key Locations:

    • Quebec (1608): Founded by Samual de Champlain and established as a major French colony.

    • Geographical Features: Major rivers and lakes including Ottawa River, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and Lake Champlain, indicating the exploration routes taken.

CLASH OF EMPIRES

  • Major Conflicts Influencing North American Geography and Dominance:

    • King Williams War (1689-1697): Conflict between French and English settlers over territory.

    • Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713): A follow-up conflict that resulted in Britain gaining substantial territories.

    • War of Jenkins Ear (1713): Conflict largely between Great Britain and Spain which also impacted North America.

    • King George’s War (1748): This war has ties to conflicts between British and French colonial interests.

THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

Early Stages of the War

  • George Washington Starts a World War:

    • Ohio Valley: Strategic region for commerce and military engagement.

    • Fort Duquesne: French fortification that was a focal point of conflict.

    • Fort Necessity (July 3, 1754): Washington's fort where he faced his first military defeat.

EXPULSION OF THE ACADIANS (1755-1764)

  • French residents of Acadia forcibly removed by the British due to fears of their loyalty to France during the war.

Global War and Colonial Disunity

  • Frederick the Great and Global Conflict: His actions in Europe had a worldwide ripple effect, drawing colonies into conflict.

  • Seven Years War (Global): Known as the French and Indian War in North America; a pivotal conflict that impacted colonial relationships and boundaries.

ALBANY CONGRESS

  • Efforts to Unite Colonies:

    • Only 7 of the 13 colonies participated, indicating regional disunity.

    • JOIN, or DIE: A well-known political cartoon symbolizing the necessity for colonial unity against external threats, specifically the French.

    • Iroquois Confederation: Engaged to ally with British forces, though tensions existed.

    • Albany Plan of Union: Proposed a unified colonial government to oversee collective defense and economic issues.

Braddock's Blundering

  • Edward Braddock: British commander whose failure during the invasion of Canada (1756) resulted in significant British losses.

    • Killed in action (KIA) during conflict, showcasing the dangers faced by British forces during the war.

Pitt’s Plan for Victory

  • William Pitt: Became a significant leader in British strategy during the war, responsible for key military plans that led to victories.

    • Siege of Louisburg (1758): Marked a crucial British victory, opening the route to Quebec.

    • Battle of Quebec (1759): Major turning point where British forces, led by Wolfe, defeated French forces, marking a decisive British advantage.

    • Battle of Montreal (1760): Final major battle leading to British control over New France.

The Death of General Wolfe

  • Major event during Battle of Quebec, Wolfe's death symbolized both victory and loss for British forces, influencing military morale.

Prewar and Postwar Boundaries (1754-1763)

  • Prewar Boundaries:

    • Louisiana: French territory, western boundary until treaty negotiations.

    • Treaty of Paris, 1763: Marked the official end of the war and established new territorial dominions.

  • Postwar Boundaries:

    • Cession of Louisiana: Territory ceded by France to Spain, reshaping the dynamics of the continent.

    • Proclamation Line of 1763: Created a boundary line aimed at reducing conflicts between British settlers and Native Americans.

Restless Colonists

  • Subsequent changes post-war led to discontent among colonists:

    • Rights of Englishmen: Tensions grew as colonists sought rights and autonomy.

    • The British Army's presence led to resentment, particularly regarding policies restricting settlement.

    • The Proclamation of 1763 was met with disapproval as it curtailed colonial expansion efforts into newly acquired lands.

Pontiac's Uprising (1763)

  • War led by Pontiac against British expansion post-war, highlighting persistent tensions between Native Americans and colonial powers.

  • The Intertribal Unity amongst tribes displayed a concerted effort in resisting colonial encroachment.

  • Jeffrey Amherst: His military strategies, including the use of smallpox blankets, illustrated the dire measures taken during this conflict.

These notes provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex inter-colonial, Native American, and European interactions that shaped North America from 1688 to 1763, focusing on the events leading up to, during, and following the French and Indian War.