Greetings, There were several wars between the French and English colonies in North America; King William's War (European name: the War of the Grand Alliance), 1688-1697; Queen Anne's War (European name: the War of the Spanish Succession), 1701-1714; King George's War (European name: the War of the Austrian Succession), 1740-1748; and finally, the French and Indian War (European name: the Seven Years' War) (a North American conflict to start with, ignited by George Washington's foray toward the present city of Pittsburgh), 1756-1763. The colonies, particularly New England and New York, were in an almost constant state of war with Indians incited by the French in between the major outbreaks. The last one, the French & Indian War, settled the affair, with the British capturing New France. Unfortunately for the British, this last conflict also generated a spirit of independence in the English colonies leading to the American Revolution. Regards, Jack Kelly
Jack, Unfortunately for the British, this last conflict also generated a spirit of independence in the English colonies leading to the American Revolution. Do you not think that the conflict was more an argument about colonists wanting to colonise land that had been guaranteed in treaty to the Indian tribes, rather than an exercising of the "spirit of independence"? Arguably, an attitude that continued to the late 1880s. Best wishes, Mark
One of many causes which started the colonies on the road to revolution was the hunger for land. This was evident even in New York where the able Sir William Johnson negotiated a treaty granting the Iroquois most of the land in western New York. Despite his efforts, white settlers moved into these lands even before 1775. Another interesting change in colonial attitudes, particularly in New England, was a growing feeling of confidence and self-reliance engendered by the colonials' siege and capture of Louisburg in King George's War (aka Seven Years' War). The fact that Louisburg was handed back to France after the war caused enormous resentment, since New Englanders had lost over 1,000 men in the siege and occupation, plus enormous amounts of money. Even though the British crown refunded the money, the resentment stayed. Later imposition of the Stamp Tax and other taxes just aggravated this festering resentment, resulting in rebellion. Regards, Jack Kelly
I agree that the loss of the opportunity to settle the newly won land was a great source of resentment. The colonists largely felt they had fought and won the French and Indian War, and thus had earned that land, especially the Ohio River valley. The Proclamation Act, which closed the western lands to settlement, angered colonists across the board. Also, Louisbourg was a problem. Captured by new England and Newyork soldiers in King George's War (actually that was part of the War of Austrian Succession 1744-1479), it was given back to Frnce in 1749. The colonists increasingly felt their own government was not looking out for their best interests. In addition, with the removal of the French from Canadaand the Ohio valley, and the end pretty much of the threat of the Indian nations that had been allied with French Canada, the colonists also felt much safer and much less in need of British military help, not that the colonists really felt they had ever gotten much jelp from the mother country. And then the issues of political and economic rights came out in the 1760's, and it was all down hill from there. But the ramifications of the French and Indian War were deep and complex, and really started the trouble.
Greetings I am a new member of this site and have reenacted F & I and Rev for 25 years. In the F&I period I portray Gen John Forbes and sometimes Gen Braddock. I live in PA and attend Fort Ligonier every year and sometimes Old Bedford Village. Recently I came across a book "Crucible Of War" by Fred Anderson 2000 Random House. Good history of the Seven Year War era. YMH & OS, "Uncle Ben" Newton fourthbnra@hotmail.com
Thanks for the information on "Crucible of War". The standard for the French/English North American colonial period is Parkman's "France and England in North America", which is available pretty readily on the used market for short money. Another interesting possibility (just getting around to reading it, so can't critique the book yet) is Edward P. Hamilton's "The French and Indian Wars" (covers the whole period from 1680's to 1750's). Regards, Jack Kelly
The Crucible of War is very good . Fred Anderson has written several books on the period of Seven Years War . He wrote "The War That Made America " which was the companion to the PBS series of the same name . The book is short and concise and I would recommend it to anyone starting out on the subject . I will need to look for Parkman's "France and England In North America " , and Hamilton's "French and Indian Wars" . Does anyone know of a book that fits theNorth America conflict into the world conflict ? Tony
The exhibit, "Clash of Empires: The British, French and Indian War, 1754 - 1763" opened today at the Smithsonian's International Gallery. It will be on view until March 15, 2007. I understand there are several hundred artifacts on display including the original Fort Necessity surrender document signed by George Washington. There is also a collection of rare 18th century paintings on view! Regards, Pam
I also want to mention the excellence of The Crucible of War. In fact, I need to pull that one off of the bookshelf and read it again soon...
Sounds like we all need to re read the "Crucible of War" it has been a long time . The Smithsonian exhibit sounds interesting Pam thanks for letting us know . Tony
Hello. I had no idea people reinacted the French and Indian War. I reinacted the American Civil War for a couple of years. And that was in southern California during the spring and summer months. I can only imagine what your experience must be like. Plus as an officer. Slug
Yes there most certainly are F & I War re-eneactments! But it's difficult to find events in the NYC - Phillie area because most of the action took place further north and west, as in western Pennsylvania and around Lakes Erie and Ontario. Linda
Linda & Slug and anyone else interested, Very true re F&I events. Two annual ones are worth the travel. OBV(Old Bedford Village) I believe in Aug 08 and Fort Ligonier 11-12 Oct 08. If the Good lord wills it, I will portray Gen Forbes at both (will ride my horse at OBV). For more info, search "old bedford village" and "fort ligonier" Yes Slug, being a general is fun and RHIP is in full swing at my HQ(where there is always port, stilton & crackers). However, the biggest enjoyment I have, being a retired teacher, is one on one with school age kids making history come alive. YMH & OS, Uncle Ben
tonyt ... the book that you are looking for that places the conflict on the North American continent into perspective is Douglas Edward Leach's "Arms for Empire: A Military History of the British Colonies in North America, 1607-1763." Fred Anderson really has set the current standard; be warned that his "The War that Made America" is an abridgement of "The Crucible of War" ... though large, Crucible's 746 pages are worth the effort. Cheers! Jason "Dutch" Palmer
I'm about 2/3 of the way through "The Crucible of War" and second this endorsement... a completely engrossing history of the conflict, with just enough coverage of the overall Seven Years War to keep someone informed as to what was going only globally throughout it all. Until this point, all I know of the French and Indian War was what is commonly covered as background in Revolutionary War books, so this has been a revelation to me.
an exercising of the "spirit of independence"? Arguably, an attitude that continued to the late 1880s.
