Struggles with France/Colonies
History AS - Unit 2
THE WARS
William's War - the War of the League of Augsburg (1689 - 97)
The Glorious Revolution brought 25 years of war for both England and other colonies
1689: England joined European Coalition against King Louis XIV (of France) - war began
1690: war spread to North America - border raids on both sides
French forces demolished Iroquois land/people --> the Iroquois bore a heavy load of the havoc
1700: 1/4 Iroquois warriors - killed, taken prisoner or fled to Canada; population declined by 20%
1701: Iroquois agreed to remain neutral in future Anglo - French wars - regained control of life/lands - rebuilt population
Queen Anne's War - the War of Spanish Succession (1702 - 13)
Anglo-Americans became aware of military weakness
French + Indian raiders (from Canada) destroyed New England
Spanish invaded Southern Carolina
1706: English forces --> control of Hudson Bay region, Newfoundland + Acadia
1713: peace signed --> Britain to keep these lands
--> French + India held control of their interior
The French-Indian War - the Seven Years' War (1756 - 63)
- Britain declared war on France - became a worldwide conflict; fighting in Europe, West Indies, Africa, India + North America
- Loudon's tactics helped better prepare troops for warfare suited to North America/disciplined them - also built roads/centralised supply lines
- originally went downhill for Britain but success slowly increased when William Pitt was returned to power in 1757; sent 25, 000 troops to America PLUS 25, 000 American colonists - paid well to support British forces
- Frederick the Great of Prussia - preoccupied French in Europe
- 1758 - British forces captured Louisburg (stopped French from being able to transport supplies - control of St Lawrence river)
- took Fort Frontenac (cut link between Canada and Mississippi valley) - Britain gained many goods + £800, 000 - cut French off from Western forts
- 1759 - the year of victories; capture of Guadaloupe, three-pronged attack on Canada, smashed French fleet at Quiberon Bay
- George III wanted peace (Pitt wanted to continue fighting) - created 'Peace of Paris' terms (1763)
- 1761: Pitt resigned
- 1762: Bute replaced Pitt
Peace of Paris (1763)
- Britain:
- Canada and all French possessions east of the Mississippi
- most of France's West Indian islands
- Florida
- France:
- Guadeloupe + Martinique
- Spain:
- Philippines and Cuba to Spain
William Pitt
- introduced new generals e.g. Wolfe --> new ideas/tactics (very successful)
- change British tactics in linear warfare - could shoot more people at once
- paid colonists for their troops wage and upkeep (25, 000 extra colonial troops)
- provincial soldiers could retain their rank when they joined with the regular troops
- British troops were driven by nationalistic passion/imperialistic ambition - hated French + Spanish
- BUT British government were sick of Pitt's war hunger
Britain + Colonies
Weakening Relationship
COLONIES
- too much independence - new identities/greater popularity
- economic strength increasing - pulling colonies together
- mercantilism gets out of hand - smuggling
- growth of population; spread of ideas/harder to control
- thought British troops were haughty, incompetent, arrogant
- didn't get rewards: pro-Indian at army, should have had land, enforced government on Quebec etc - raised suspicions
BRITAIN
- peace settlement (1763) - unhopeful for future American-British relations
- thought colonial troops were cowardly, lazy, incompetent
Strengthening Relationship
- Pitt treats colonists well; pays for troops
- society structures mirror England: postal service, judicial, political system
- 25, 000 colonial troops fought for Britain
- salutary neglect - colonists have lots of freedom to govern themselves; admiration for Britain
- colonists have protected economic market
- Albany Congress - inter-colonial confederation - rejected; colonies are happy with relationships between Britain and each-other