CENTURY OF IMPERIAL WAR European imperial conflicts spread to the Americas. British military superiority did not rest unchallenged during this era.

King William’s War –William III of England declared war on Louis XIV of France (1689) –Called King William’s War or War of the League of Augsburg –Canadians raided NY and NE frontiers No territory lost Much suffering and disruption –Ended w/Treaty of Ryswick in 1697 Queen Anne’s War/War of the Spanish Succession ( ) –Bloody combat along the American frontier – Ended with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) –George I hoped for peace 1. War was destructive and expensive 2. These wars had produced little gain 3. But the French feared British territorial encroachments in the Americas 4. Iroquois sided with the British; Algonquians w/ the French

King George’s War and Its Aftermath ( ) *Also known as The War of Austrian Succession –American colonists captured Louisbourg from the French –A strategic post that guarded St. Lawrence & Quebec –Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, GB returned Louisbourg Colonists were puzzled Colonial interests seemed unimportant to GB –VA tried to defeat the French alone at Fort Necessity Washington & the Virginians were soundly defeated A sign that a single colony could not defeat the French

Albany Congress & Braddock’s Defeat –Franklin presented the Albany plan at this British-called defense conference –Included formation of a Grand Council of colonial delegates oversee common defense Also western expansion and Indian affairs –Required the support of the colonies and Parliament The English feared an erosion of authority Colonists couldn’t overcome regional jealousies –Frontier fighting continued in the Ohio Valley Braddock and his men were badly defeated by a small force 70% were killed or wounded Those who survived were angry and embarrassed (GW) The European style of warfare was not effective…

Seven Years’ War ( ) –William Pitt determined that the French must be expelled from America –Pitt (a cabinet minister) took control of the army and navy 1. Amherst and Wolfe took Louisbourg & cut French supply lines 2. French forts in the Ohio Valley & Great Lakes fell 3. Brits scaled cliffs & defeated the FR on the Plains of Abraham * Wolfe and Marquis de Montcalm died * Led to final FR surrender in Montreal Treaty of Paris (1763) surrender the FR empire in North America 1. 80,000 residents of Quebec became British citizens 2. American colonists were thrilled at participating in the victory

Conclusion Perceptions of War Colonial cooperation was key to the victory George Washington & others realized that the British were not invincible The British were upset by colonial ingratitude & refusal to pay war costs Colonists saw themselves as equal partners in the struggle Wolfe & others mocked colonial soldiers and contributions Question? -Were Americans equal partners or spoiled children who wanted more than they deserved? The Seven Years’ War and its aftermath would raise these questions and many more. But at first, Americans hailed the British victory and empire and saw themselves as full British citizens. Those in Eng. did not share this perception.