Imperial Thesis of American Revolution
...m her and taking it by the legs dashed its head against the sill of the house, so that the brains scattered …” In 1697, the war ends in a stalemate as France and the Grand Alliance both agree to sign the Treaty of Ryswick, temporarily restoring the peace in Europe and the colonies. This war infuriated the colonists because neither side was victorious, meaning many lives were lost in vain. In 1701, Queen Anne’s war over the succession of the Spanish throne began, due to King William of England’s opposition to the succession of the Spanish throne by Philip, Duke of Anjou, grandson of the King Louis XIV of France. King Williams opposed the grandson’s succession to the French throne because he was afraid that the boy would be in a position to oppress and conquer the rest of Europe, especially with an army of ground troops comparable to that the Ancient Romans. France and England go to war, dragging their American counterparts into battle. Again, the French-Canadians raided English settlements, one of which was present-day Boston, Massachusetts, home to Reverend John Williams. In his “best-selling” novel, The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion, Reverend Williams describes the raid of the French-Canadians and their Indian allies on Deerfield: “…not long before the break of day, the enemy came in like a flood upon us…” Once again the French exhibit their reckless disregard for innocence as Williams writes, “For tho’ some were so cruel and barbarous as to take and carry to the door, two of my children and murder them.” Later in his account, the French take prisoners from the town and lead them through the frozen, icy mountain terrains back to Canada: “When we came to the foot of our mountain, they took away our shoes, and gave us in the room of them, Indian shoes, to prepare us for our travel.” Eventually, John Williams reached Quebec and would later be released from captivity, but never would he forget the blood that was shed at the hands of the French. The War of the Spanish Succession ended in 1713, with the Peace of Utrecht, a collection of the Treaty of Utrecht and the Treaties of Rastatt and Baden. The Treaty allowed for Philip, Duke of Anjou, of France to attain the succession to the Spanish throne, under the condition that the French and Spanish kingdoms would not be united. Once again, the colonist’s part in the war goes unrewarded and they find their struggles in war meaningless. For a long period the colonies dwelt war-free, until the War of the Austrian Succession began in 1740, over the succession to the throne of Austria. This throne was under claim by Bavaria, Spain, and Saxony; who were disputed by the common belief of Austria, Britain, and the Netherlands that the succession to the throne belonged to Maria Theresa, daughter of Charles VI, previous ruler of Austria. England, France, and Spain took part in this war; with France, Spain, Bavaria, Sardinia, Prussia, and Saxony allied against Britain, Austria, and the Netherlands. At the time of this war, Spain and England were already in the midst of The War of Jenkins Ear, stemming from an incident where an English trader, Robert Jenkins, had his ear severed by a Spanish Coast Guard for trying to trade with the Spanish colonies, as prohibited by the Treaty of Utrecht. During the war the colonists sought to take vengeance upon the French-Canadians for past conflicts and captured Fort Louisburg in 1745, led by William Shirley. At the time, Fort Louisburg was the largest of the New World, controlling all French Ships navigation the St. Lawrence River and an enormous cod fish industry. Finally, the Americans gain a major accomplishment in their conflicts with the French, but their victory was short-lived. In 1748, Britain and France signed the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which restored Fort Louisburg to the French in exchange for a trading post in India (Madras) and granted the Austrian Succession to Maria Theresa, therefore ending the war. In the years succeeding the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, England grew suspicious of the French, mainly because of their carefully directed efforts to establish forts and settlements from the Great Lakes to the headwaters of the Ohio, plotting to settle down the Ohio River to the Mississippi River in order to link their Canadian territories with that of Louisiana, therefore encircling Britain. Meanwhile, England claimed the Ohio Valley and set up fur trading posts, foiling French plans of enclosing the colonies. For this reason, the French believed the English were invading their land, feeling every need to protect their rights and territory. In the Memoir on the English Aggression, the French view of England’s colonization is clearly outlined: “…there is no doubt that the English have no justification for such enterprises which have long been no secret.” Foreseeing English plans to dominate the New World, the French document states, “They wish to be in a position to invade Florida, and by that conquest…to make themselves masters… of the treasure of Europe,” and refers to England as “…a nation with no other aim than to subjugate all others by seizing on their colonies and their commerce…” In 1754, the English began to build a fort in the Ohio Valley, but are soon halted and driven out by the French-Canadian army. As stated in the document, “The king on his side is ready to enter into all the measures His Catholic Majesty may think most proper to protect himself…” After driving out the English, the Canadians continued the construction of the fort, renaming it Fort Duquesne, and claiming it for the French. In 1755, Major General Edward Braddock unsuccessfully tries to recapture Fort Duquesne for the British Crown, suffering many casualties at the hands of victorious French-Canadian army. By the following year, the Seven Years’ War begins over the conflict in the Ohio Valley region. At the beginning of the war, France held the upper hand by constantly defeating the colonists. In 1758, Brigadier General John Forbes assembles a force to Fort Duquesne, gaining alliance with several Indian tribes along the way. In years past, the Indians had come to be very useful to whichever side they chose to join in alliance with and clearly gave the English the upper-hand in war. In Governor Glen’s description of the role of the Indians in the war he writes, “…all we have to apprehend from the French… will much more depend upon the Indians than upon any Strength of their own...” Not only did the English make alliances with formerly-French allied Indians, they also secured close relationships with their own Indian allies, despite French attempts to lure them: “For notwithstanding all the intrigues of the French, they have not been able to get the least footing among our Nations o...