The French And Indian War As A Cause Of The American Revolution Essays

The French And Indian War As A Cause Of The American Revolution At the outset of the eighteenth century, the Ohio Valley can identified as the main catalyst in triggering open hostilities between the French and the Americans. The French occupied parts of Canada but also wanted a stake in America. Its means to do this was through the Ohio Valley it maintained. However, the colonists were bound to permeate this area in their push towards the west. And as they did, competition for the lush lands flared up and came to a breaking point. This directly lead to the French and Indian War with the Indians, for the most part, siding with the French against Britain. The events and sentiments that took place during and immediately after the French and Indian War (1754-1763) were extremely important in contributing to the outset of the American Revolution. By looking at the perspectives of the two diverging peoples, it is evident there is a strong contrast, which lead to increasing tensions. The intermingling of arrogant British redcoats and the proud colonial militiamen precariously produced a strong mutual dislike and contempt. The majority of British officers hated colonial service and took great care to avoid it. After all, America was a strange wilderness to them. The West Indies specifically were infested with disease-carrying pests, and fevers were known to kill hundreds of men. Britains found the colonists uncooperative and very reluctant to serve for their country. Religious minority groups especially opposed to war could play hell with appropriations. (Chidsey) For example, the Quakers absolutely would not fight to protect their very own homes and refused to be taxed for a war because they thought, according to their religion, it was sinful. Most colonists altogether refused to contribute money. It was not until William Pitt offered to reimburse them a share of the money did they render some wealth, though not much (Bailey 98). When American recruits finally dribbled in, they were primitive in military customs. Some even deserted camp, and when they were seized and brought back to camp, they were whipped. British General Braddock went so far as to forewarn his soldiers of a penalty of hanging for the next that deserted him. The colonists, having always thought the British militia to be noble and indomitable, were shocked at their behavior. The almighty Redcoats were actually running and hiding in battle times when they should have proved valorous. The British were probably embarrassed too over a childish rivalry between English generals William Johnson and Governor William Shirley at Fort Albany. Competition arose because of Shirleys greed for Indian allies, and neglecting Johnson simultaneously. They immaturely wrote secret letters about each other, getting others involved and annoyed. A factor also contributing to the disappointment of the colonists is how the British consistently fought a European war instead of a new style war, particularly guerrilla warfare (based on sneak attack and using camouflage), which limited their success and sometimes determined failure. Impressment prevailed for part of the war, adding insult to outrage. Impressment refers to the British sending press gangs from their warships to bring in mariners to serve in the British ships. They received little to no pay, and about 900 of the seamen died leaving their families bereft and embittered (Reeder). With both the Americans and the English referring to each other as cowardly dogs, conflict became more personal between people than just between two land areas. Although still disunited, the colonies were beginning to melt this hindrance, sometimes without knowing it, to realize they shared more in common with each other than with those of the mother country. The disunity that had predominated since the founding of the colonies can be accounted for and understood because of geographical barriers like rivers and lack of roads, diverse religions, mixed nationalities, various governments, boundary disputes, social classes, different currencies at altered worths in each colony, and jealousy. As British Sir Winston Churchhill said, They were united in distrusting the home government but in little else. However, steps were being taken, sometimes not even purposely, to promote rapport among the colonies. Newspapers, for instance, not only covered the war effort, but they also promoted a unity of consciousness for the colonies. Through these reports and therefore awareness, the English were warned of French troops moving southward from Canada and of the French master plan to capture the continent in 1753. The Albany Plan of Union was a positive step in achieving union. The ingenious Benjamin Franklin proposed a layout of