Posted: December 20th, 2021

The Duel for North America, 1608-1763 Essay Sample

I. France Establishes a Presence in Canada

Similar to England and Holland, France entered the race for settlements in North America relatively late. The country was embroiled in foreign wars and internal conflicts during the 1500s. However, in 1598, the Edict of Nantes was issued, granting limited acceptance to the French Huguenots. When King Louis XIV ascended to the throne, he took an interest in overseas settlements. In 1608, France established Quebec, situated along the St. Lawrence River. Samuel de Champlain, a bold soldier and adventurer, became known as the “Father of New France.” He cultivated friendly relations with the neighboring Huron Indians and aided them in overcoming the Iroquois. The Iroquois, however, impeded French efforts to expand into the Ohio Valley later on. Unlike English settlers who arrived in large numbers, French settlers did not immigrate en masse. The French peasants were too impoverished, and the Huguenots were prohibited from leaving.

II. New France Expands its Reach

One of the most valuable resources in New France (Canada) was the beaver. Beaver hunters, known as coureurs de bois or “forest runners,” traversed the land and bestowed numerous place names, such as Baton Rouge (red stick), Terre Haute (high land), Des Moines (some monks), and Grand Teton (big breasts). The French voyageurs also enlisted the help of Native Americans in the fur trade. However, the indigenous population was decimated by diseases brought by the European colonizers, leading to a significant decline in the beaver population. French Catholic missionaries fervently attempted to convert the Native Americans. In order to dissuade English colonists from encroaching upon the Ohio Valley, Antoine Cadillac founded Detroit (known as the “city of straits”) in 1701. Louisiana, founded in 1682 by Robert de LaSalle, aimed to prevent Spanish expansion in the area near the Gulf of Mexico. However, when LaSalle attempted to realize his ambitions three years later, he mistakenly landed in Spanish Texas and was murdered by his mutinous men in 1687. The fertile Illinois country, where the French established forts and trading posts at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes, became the agricultural center of France’s North American empire.

III. Empires Clash

King William’s War and Queen Anne’s War

English settlers clashed with French coureurs de bois and their Native American allies. Neither side considered America significant enough to deploy substantial armies. The French-inspired Native Americans launched attacks on Schenectady, New York, and Deerfield, Massachusetts. The British attempted to capture Quebec and Montreal but failed, managing to temporarily seize Port Royal. The peace treaty signed in Utrecht in 1713 granted Acadia (renamed Nova Scotia), Newfoundland, and Hudson Bay to England, squeezing the French colonies along the St. Lawrence River. It also gave Britain limited trading rights with Spanish America. The War of Jenkins’s Ear

This conflict originated when an English captain named Jenkins had his ear severed by a Spanish officer, who contemptuously told him to go home and cry. The war was primarily fought in the Caribbean Sea and Georgia. It eventually merged with the War of Austrian Succession and became known as King George’s War in America. France allied with Spain, but British forces captured the supposedly impregnable fortress of Cape Breton Island (Fort Louisbourg). However, the peace terms of this war returned strategically located Louisbourg, which the New Englanders had captured, back to France. This decision shocked the settlers who feared a future military threat.

IV. George Washington Initiates Conflict with France

The Ohio Valley became a contested region among the Spanish
I. Establishing a French Presence in Canada
Similar to England and Holland, France was a latecomer in the race for colonial settlements. During the 1500s, France was preoccupied with foreign wars and internal strife. In 1598, the Edict of Nantes was issued, granting limited tolerance to French Huguenots. When King Louis XIV ascended to the throne, he took an interest in overseas settlements. In 1608, France established Quebec, situated along the St. Lawrence River. Samuel de Champlain, a bold soldier and explorer, became known as the “Father of New France.” He fostered friendly relations with the neighboring Huron Indians and aided them in defeating the Iroquois. However, the Iroquois later hindered French expansion into the Ohio Valley. Unlike English settlers, French settlers did not immigrate to North America in large numbers. The peasants were too poor, and the Huguenots were not permitted to leave.
II. Expansion of New France
New France’s (Canada) most valuable resource was the beaver. Beaver hunters, known as coureurs de bois (runners of the woods), left their mark on the land with place names such as Baton Rouge (red stick), Terre Haute (high land), Des Moines (some monks), and Grand Teton (big breasts). French voyageurs also enlisted Indians to hunt beavers, but the native population was decimated by European diseases, and the beaver population was severely depleted. French Catholic missionaries fervently attempted to convert the Indians. To prevent English settlers from encroaching on the Ohio Valley, Antoine Cadillac founded Detroit (“city of straits”) in 1701. Louisiana was established in 1682 by Robert de LaSalle to counter Spanish expansion near the Gulf of Mexico. In 1687, LaSalle was murdered by his mutinous men in Spanish Texas. The fertile Illinois region, where the French set up forts and trading posts at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes, became the breadbasket of France’s North American empire.
III. Conflicts Between Empires
During King William’s War and Queen Anne’s War, English colonists fought against French coureurs de bois and their Indian allies. Neither side deemed America important enough to deploy regular troops. French-backed Indians attacked Schenectady, New York, and Deerfield, Massachusetts. The British attempted to seize Quebec and Montreal but failed, though they temporarily occupied Port Royal. The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 granted Acadia (renamed Nova Scotia), Newfoundland, and Hudson Bay to England, confining French colonies to the St. Lawrence region. The treaty also granted Britain limited trading rights with Spanish America. The War of Jenkins’s Ear involved an English captain named Jenkins, whose ear was severed by a Spanish commander. This conflict was primarily fought in the Caribbean Sea and Georgia and later merged with the War of Austrian Succession, becoming known as King George’s War in America. France allied with Spain, but English forces captured the supposedly impregnable fortress of Cape Breton Island (Fort Louisbourg). However, the peace terms returned Louisbourg to France, alarming the colonists who feared the stronghold.
IV. George Washington Sparks War with France
The Ohio Valley became a battleground among the Spanish, British, and French, as it was a lush, fertile, and highly desirable territory. In 1754, the governor of Virginia dispatched 21-year-old George Washington to the Ohio region as a lieutenant colonel in command of approximately 150 Virginia militiamen. Encountering French forces in the woods about 40 miles from Fort Duquesne, Washington’s troops opened fire, killing the French leader. The French later returned, surrounded Washington’s hastily built Fort Necessity, and engaged in guerrilla-style combat. After a 10-hour siege, Washington was forced to surrender but was allowed to march his men away with full honors of war.
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I. France Finds a Foothold in Canada

Like England and Holland. France was a latecomer in the race for settlements. It was convulsed in the 1500s by foreign wars and domestic discord. In 1598. the Edict of Nantes was issued. leting limited acceptance to the Gallic Huguenots. When King Louis XIV became king. he took an involvement in abroad settlements. In 1608. France established Quebec. overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Samuel de Champlain. an audacious soldier and adventurer. became known as the “Father of New France. ” He entered into friendly dealingss with the neighbouring Huron Indians and helped them get the better of the Iroquois. The Iroquois. nevertheless. did hamper Gallic attempts into the Ohio Valley subsequently. Unlike English settlers. Gallic settlers didn’t immigrate to North America by hosts. The provincials were excessively hapless. and the Huguenots weren’t allowed to go forth.

II. New France Fans Out

New France’s ( Canada ) one valuable resource was the beaver.

Beaver huntsmans were known as the coureurs de bois ( smugglers of the forests ) and littered the land with topographic point names. including Baton Rouge ( ruddy stick ) . Terre Haute ( high land ) . Des Moines ( some monastics ) and Grand Teton ( large chests ) . The Gallic voyageurs besides recruited Indians to run for beaver every bit good. but Indians were decimated by the white man’s diseases. and the beaver population was to a great extent extinguished. Gallic Catholic missionaries zealously tried to change over Indians. To queer English colonists from forcing into the Ohio Valley. Antoine Cadillac founded Detroit ( “city of straits” ) in 1701. Louisiana was founded. in 1682. by Robert de LaSalle. to hold Spanish enlargement into the country near the Gulf of Mexico. Three old ages subsequently. he tried to carry through his dreams by returning. but alternatively landed in Spanish Texas and was murdered by his mutinous work forces in 1687. The fertile Illinois state. where the Gallic established garrisons and trading stations at Kaskaskia. Cahokia. and Vincennes. became the garden of France’s North American imperium.

III. The Clash of Empires

King William’s War and Queen Anne’s War
The English settlers fought the Gallic coureurs de bois and their Indian Alliess. Neither side considered America of import plenty to blow existent military personnels on. The French-inspired Indians ravaged Schenectady. New York. and Deerfield. Mass. The British did seek to capture Quebec and Montreal. failed. but did temporarily hold Port Royal. The peace trade in Utrecht in 1713 gave Acadia ( renamed Nova Scotia ) . Newfoundland. and Hudson Bay to England. squeezing the Gallic colonies by the St. Lawrence. It besides gave Britain limited trading rights with Spanish America. The War of Jenkins’s Ear

An English Captain named Jenkins had his ear cut off by a Spanish commanding officer. who had basically sneered at him to travel place weeping. This war was confined to the Caribbean Sea and Georgia. This war shortly merged with the War of Austrian Succession and came to be called King George’s War in America. France allied itself with Spain. but England’s military personnels captured the reputed inviolable fortress of Cape Breton Island ( Fort Louisbourg ) . However. peace footings of this war gave strategically located Louisbourg. which the New Englanders had captured. back to France. shocking the settlers. who feared the garrison.

IV. George Washington Inaugurates War with France

The Ohio Valley became a battlefield among the Spanish. British. and Gallic. It was exuberant. fertile. and really good land.
In 1754. the governor of Virginia sent 21 year-old George Washington to the Ohio state as a lieutenant colonel in bid of about 150 Virginia Minutemans. Meeting some Frenchmans in the wood about 40 stat mis from Fort Duquesne. the military personnels opened fire. killing the Gallic leader. Later. the Gallic returned and surrounded Washington’s hurriedly constructed Fort Necessity. fought “Indian style” ( concealing and guerrilla combat ) . and after a 10-hour besieging. made him give up. He was permitted to process his work forces off with the full awards of war.

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