Territorial Expansion

• 18thC filling in of gaps in British territory in America• Often warfare, sometimes expansion into

‘empty’ areas• Brings Britain into conflict with France

and Spain• Close relationship between European

warfare and American warfare

Foundation of Colonies

• Virginia 1607• Massachusetts 1630• Maryland 1634• Connecticut 1636• Rhode Island 1638• South Carolina 1663• North Carolina 1663• New York 1664 • New Jersey 1664

• New Hampshire 1679 • Pennsylvania 1681• Delaware 1683• Nova Scotia 1713• Newfoundland 1713• Georgia 1733• East Florida 1763• West Florida 1763• Quebec 1774

Wars• War of the League of Augsburg (King William’s War)

1689-1697– Some cross border raids in New England and Acadia– Treaty of Ryswick leaves borders alone

• War of Spanish Succession (Queen Anne’s War) 1701-1713– Fought mainly in New England and South Carolina– NY remained neutral– British European victories lead to Treaty of Utrecht – Cession of territory in Europe • Gibraltar

– and America

Newfoundland

• Treaty of Utrecht British control of Newfoundland.– Previously settled, but

privately – Mainly British -7,500 in

1750• Allowed Britain control

of Grand Banks

Nova Scotia• Acadia, founded 1605 by Champlain– Britain wary of Acadia – direct shipping route to Europe.

• 1710 conquest of Acadia (except for Ille Royale) • Recognized by Treaty of Utrecht • 2,000 Acadians remain – allowed to retain culture in return for allegiance

• Problems over loyalty, expulsions 1755 • Founding of Halifax– migration encouraged from GB.

• War of Austrian Succession (King George’s War) 1744-1748• Main American event capture of Louisbourg –Fort on Ille Royale

• returned to France in 1748 in return for Madras.

Jump ahead

• I did not let the Anniversary of the 3rd or 9th of this Instant pass off with out graceful remembrance of the escape we had at the Meadows on the banks of Monongahela.• George Washington, July 20th 1776

• Letter to Adam Stephen, colonel in continental Army

• In New York, shortly after British retreat from Boston

• Two Dates• July 3rd – defeat at Fort Necessity 1754• July 9th – defeat of Braddock 1754 • Both Dates pivotal dates in Washington’s life• Both early events in seven years war

• Seven Years War - 1754-1763– French and Indian War– First World War (Churchill)

• Final defeat of France in contest for America

• One of many wars between two major Europeans powers

• But pivotal role played by third empire often over looked

• Iroquois

• “Middle Ground”• 1650-60 French move in to refugee

population around great Lakes• Fractured communities pushed west by

Iroquois• 1664 English take over New Netherland–Covenant chain

• 1660s Louis XIV strategic plan to dominate North America military

• French aggression• English inability/unwillingness to help• Iroquois unable to continue in role• Leads to• Iroquois Grand Settlement 1702• Two treaties–1 with French - Montreal–1 with English - Albany

• To French–Pledged to remain neutral–Grant right to trade at Detroit–Hunt on lands North of Great Lakes

• To English–Ceded all land s north of Great Lakes– Strengthen Covenant Chain

• Neither European power new of the other agreement

• Gave Iroquois – Security, time to rebuild, renewed influence

• War of Spanish Succession (Queen Anne’s War) 1701-1713– Iroquois, informed French of British plans–Also joined attack on France with British

• End of war Victory for Britain• But in America reality was weakening of both

European powers• Expansion on Iroquois power

• A power expanded in peace that followed• Enter Pennsylvania and James Logan• Founded 1681• Quaker leadership pursued peace with local

native population• Brought peace• Both Europeans and Natives moved in to

area• Simultaneously strengthened and

weakened Pennsylvania

• 1721 -1732• Logan pushes to expand

Covenant chain into Pennsylvania

• Secure Pennsylvania by making Iroquois defender

• Simplify land purchases– Walking purchase 1737– ¾ million acres taken from Delaware

• By the time of Logan’s death in 1751

• 3 important results

• 1. Penn family financially secure• 2. Natives of eastern Pennsylvania driven from

land• 3. Iroquois more powerful and diplomatically

important• But…• Iroquois fell into trap of Hubris• Had military might, assumed this was all they

needed• No attempt to include regions native in

decision making

• Removed population did not stay within Iroquiana

• Went beyond Alleghenies to

• Forks of Ohio• Region offered– Possibility of independence– Good hunting– Region had been

depopulated for many years

• By 1740s 2500 + natives living in region

• Iroquois initially not worried

• As long as region free of English all good

• But English traders had moved west with clients

• George Coghan• Cuyahoga• Logstown• Pickawillany• Detroit

• Traders pulled Natives from Detroit

• Threatened Iroquois position• Sent Tanaghrisson as regent• Had limited authority• Known as ‘Half King’• Used British trade goods as

source of power• Both Pennsylvania traders

and • Newly arrived Virginia

Traders

• Governor of New France • Comte de La Galisonière• Dispatched Captain Pierre-Joseph Célron

de Blainville to survey region• Negative report, warning of British threat–New group Ohio Company of Virginia– Trade and settlements–Agreement with Half King

• Nothing done by Governor of New France

• Interim New governor attacked Logstown• Killed natives and traders– Virginians see this as opportunity

• Marquis Duquesnes new Governor arives July 1 1752

• Determined to assert French control over region

• Builds for French Forts• Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of

Virginia• Reports events back to London

• Given authority to• Demand French withdrawal• Erect “forts within the King’s own

territory”• And “repel with force” any challenge• Dinwiddie having problems with

Virginian legislature• All he can do is send small force to tell

French to leave

• To lead force he chooses–21 year old Major in Virginia Militia–Spoke no French–Little formal education–Lacked any diplomatic experience

• George Washington• Left Williamsburg on November 1, 1753• Washington returned mid January 1754

returns with negative report

• Washington volunteers to return with army, build fort, rid region of French• Will lead a rag tag army of 159 into

the Ohio Valley• He would meet up with Half King• Through miscalculation and

ineptitude • trip led to first conflicts in what

became Seven Years War

BRADDOCK'S CAMPAIGN

• As Braddock et al heading out in south• Action also beginning in north• William Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts– Organized attack on Fort Niagara– Between lake Eire and Ontario

• William Johnson, Superintendent of Indian Affairs– Led attack north to Lake Champlain

• Both faltered with news of Braddock’s defeat• French secure positions

• Relationship with Native Americans • “The Colonel was a good-

natured man, but had no experience; he took upon him to command the Indians as slaves, [and] would by no means take advice from the Indians”• Half King’s comment on Washington

• Common British approach–William Johnson exception

Pierre de Riguard de Vaudreuil de CavagnalMarquis de Vaudreuil

• Mid eighteenth century • Population figures• New France – 55,000

• English Colonies– 1.1 million + ¼ million

slaves

• France needed and took different approach

• Governor Vaudreuil, life long soldier, understood that most efficient way to wage war

• Encourage Indian allies to attack British frontier at will–Creates fear, dislocation, expense

• Potential problems– Initiative in hands of Indians–Cultural norms of fighting

• France had history of successful military relationships

• Allowing natives access to weapons and other supplies Vaudreiul had great success

• Offensive war led pursued by Indians• He reinforced strategic locations and prepared

for major siege offensive• Oswago• French struck with a combined force• Quickly defeated british• Native troops, killed wounded, took captives

and other goods

• Traditionally acceptable but…

• A new face was about• Marquis de Montcalm-

Gozon de Saint-Veran• Subordinate to Vaudreiul• But schooled in European

styles• Disgusted by actions• Beginning of battle

between Vaudreiul and Montcalm

• Britain was sending replacements for Colonial leaders–Johnson and Shipley

• War was spreading beyond America• Mediterranean

• Byng’s defeat and court martial

• New British Commander, Loudon–Aggressive towards colonists

• Main focus • Control of St Lawrence River–Access to interior

• Meant retaking Louisbourg • Massive land and sea campaign

planned• At same time next French campaign

well under way

• Captives taken by natives at Oswago had been redeemed by French• Led to many more natives arriving• Vaudreiel welcomed them • Sent out as independent force to

harass and terrify settlements around and defenders of next target• Fort William Henry

• 8000 men– Troupes de la marine, troupes de terre,

Canadian Militia, and native allies• Headed towards the fort• Defended well, 2500 men, strong walls

and plenty of defensive cannon• Well set for traditional European siege

action• Something Montacalm knew & intent on

pursuing• Chaos of Oswego not to be repeated

• Traditional structure siege• Arrival–Flag of truce offer the chance to surrender

• Refusal• Siege begin–Cut of supplies, bombardment

• Second flag of truce – honorable surrender• All went well(ish)

• August 9th – Second flag of truce raised• Terms agreed• Surrender of fort• Parole status• But…• Took no notice of wishes of native allies• No chance for plunder of taking of

prisoner

• 5 am next morning British column began march from fort

• Indians attacked end of column–Massachusetts regiment

• Within a few minutes• 70 -185 killed and scalped• Approx 500 taken as captive along • Native Allies headed north with their just

rewards

• Montcalm and Vaudreiul worked hard to redeem captives

• Some success• For Anglo Americans• Planned by Montcalm• “massacre of Fort Henry”• Changed attitudes• Natives took not only reward but also

smallpox• Without native allies Montcalm had no choice

but to retreat to Canada

• Britain had had a terrible year• Loss and destruction of

numerous locations– i.e. Fort William Henry

• Loudon’s expedition on Louisbourg–Never got beyond Halifax

• Colonial authorities hated him• Thomas Pownall

March 10, 1758

• Pownall and Massachusetts

• Refused Loudon’s requests

• 2,128 troops• Morning of 10th

Pownall opened letters from

• William Pitt

The News• Loudoun removed from power• Replaced by General James Abercromby• Pitt also asked Pownall to use• “your utmost Endeavours, and

Influence with the Council and Assembly of your Province, to induce them to raise, with all possible Dispatch, as large a Body of Men within your Government, as the number of Its Inhabitants may allow”

• Britain would cover the costs

• Loudoun had asked for less than 7000 in total

• Colonies now raised more than 20,000• Military spending went through the roof• Pitts letter• Gave colonists ability to see themselves as• Partners in a global empire• Loudoun had set up an efficient military

structure• Loss of native allies led to creation of

Rodgers Rangers

• New structure, new support

• Number of British success's

• Amherst• Wolfe

Quebec and Wolfe

Pontiacs War