From the Glorious Revolution to The French & Indian War (1688-1763)
The Glorious Revolution - 1688 Significance: Essentially ended turmoil over religion in England The BofRs establishes Parliamentary supremacy and limits the power of the monarch King William III wants to continue campaign against France Compromised with the colonies and granted more autonomy in some cases James II’s daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange, the Protestant Champion on the continent, were invited to invade England and offered the throne ONLY after agreeing to the English Bill of Rights.
King William’s War (1689-97) 1st of the French & Indian Wars in NA Colonial militias + Indian allies (Indian raids) Prolonged conflict increases role of Parliament – esp taxing Bank of England mixes interest s with Parliament. Conflict of interest? Growing fiscal powers gave Parliament a larger role in foreign & military affairs. Parliament est. a permanent debt and the Bank of England to manage it.
Queen Ann’s War (1702-13) [the second French & Indian War] Widespread use of Indian raids English will gain territory in North America England emerges as a major power in Europe The Spanish threat from Florida will later motivate the English to establish Georgia as a buffer.
King George’s War (1739-48) [the second French & Indian War] Tensions with Spain in Florida led to war. Oglethorpe leads 3 different expeditions to capture St. Augustine. All fail. Must be Florida…palm trees General James Oglethorpe
King George’s War (1739-48) [the second French & Indian War] Interwar hostilities continued as the French targeted the New England fishing industry. French built a Fortress at Louisbourg.
New Englanders took pride in their service during the war. French & Indian raids along the frontier increase. Treaty returns the fort to the French. The Americans are esp. resentful.
The Economics of Empire War > Military > Empire > Cost Money Trade & commerce are increasingly vital to British economy Growing dependence on trade/commerce with American colonies. The commercial rivalry and military threat from France will unite the British Empire.
Causes of THE French & Indian War [the fourth French & Indian War] THE LURE OF THE OHIO VALLEY Control the fur trade Americans are surveying for colonization French build forts & order Indian raids Virginia Gov Dinwiddie sends Washington to evict the French at Ft. Duquesne. Washington defeated and the British use incident for war. 22-year old Virginia Militia Officer, George Washington
THE French & Indian War (1754-63) [the fourth French & Indian War] British Gen. Edward Braddock and 2,200 troops are ambushed in route to Ft. Duquense. The British force would have been routed (Braddock was killed early in the action) if it were not for the extraordinary leadership of a young American militia officer, George Washington.
THE French & Indian War (1754-63) [the fourth French & Indian War] Early French Victories: Indians allied to the French raid along the frontier of Virginia, Maryland & Pennsylvania With the British spread thin, French commanders captured British forts on Lake Ontario & Lake George *Lucky for the British that in- fighting among the French commanders prevented any additional coordinated action. General Louis Joseph de Montcalm
THE French & Indian War (1754-63) [the fourth French & Indian War] Pitt saves the day, but at what price? Wracks up enormous debts, charges of “buying” the loyalty of the Americans. America First Strategy Assigned new commanders: Jeffery Amherst & James Wolfe who were much more aggressive Repealed some policies that were unpopular with the colonies. Wm. Pitt the Elder
THE French & Indian War (1754-63) [the fourth French & Indian War] Final victory came in 1759 with the Fall of Quebec to General James Wolfe.
Consequences of the War The F&I War was the most expensive in British history to date Britain > HUGE DEBT Empire to manage. Britain picks Canada over Martinique, dramatically changes relationship with Americans.