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