The First World War

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Turn in all homework.



Do now: Go to the Wikipedia.org website

Enter Seven Years' War


Answer one of the following questions


List all the allies of both the French and the English during the Seven Year's War

or


After reading the "causes" of the war paragraph Explain why Great Britain (England)
and Prussia were allies in this conflict.

Due in 15 min





The First World War 175601763


By 1758 the British and French are battling for control of Europe, Africa and India. Especially lucrative would be the control of the slave trade.

The Europeans called this war the Seven Years War.

Along with the economic and political ramifications of the war is the religious aspect of the war. Great Britain was a Protestant nation while France was Catholic.


Even though the British colonist outnumbered the French 4,00,000 to 25,000 the alliance with the Indians gave the French advantages that manpower couldn’t overcome.

The least important of the fronts in North America was that of the Western Frontier (present day western Pennsylvania). This is where George Washington served the British Empire.

Although forgotten by the British, Washington felt that his service should be rewarded with official recognition and a commission in the regular British Army.

Being refused that, Washington, returned to his estate Mount Vernon to recover from his illness.

Again the issue of funds for the conduct of the war came to the forefront. The new British commander, the Earl of Loudin wanted the colonies to fund the war.

The colonist refused on the principle that they were not considered full subjects of the king. Since they had not the full rights of British subjects they believed that they had no responsibility to pay for their own defense.

To defuse the situation the new Prime Minister, William Pitt agreed to furnish all necessary troops and funds to advance the war. By now Great Britain was ready to press the conflict in North America and they needed the Americans cooperation to ensure success.

By July 1758 the British army of regular troops and American troops move on Ft Ticonderoga.

Using outmoded tactics the British attack Ft. Ticonderoga with a frontal assault. His troops are massacred.


In response to the massacre an American force using “Indian tactics” advance through hostile territory and lay siege to the French fort at Frontnaque.

The capture of this fort leaves the French without supplies or hope.

The capture of Louisburg further seals the fate of the French Empire in America.

These British victories leave only the Ohio Country as a theatre of war.

Again the British and America turn their eyes to the site of Ft. Duquesne.

However the alliance between the French and Indians is again the sticking point for the British.

However this alliance was not based upon the Indians love for the French. It was based upon their quest for survival. Being caught between two large nations was a delicate balancing act for the Indians.

A balancing act that they thought would not go on forever.