an RevolutionAt the outset of the eighteenth century, the Ohio Valley can identified as the maincatalyst in triggering open hostilities between the French and the Americans. The Frenchoccupied parts of Canada but also wanted a stake in America. Its means to do this wasthrough the Ohio Valley it maintained.
However, the colonists were bound to permeatethis area in their push towards the west. And as they did, competition for the lush landsflared up and came to a breaking point. This directly lead to the French and Indian Warwith the Indians, for the most part, siding with the French against Britain. The events andsentiments that took place during and immediately after the French and Indian War(1754-1763) were extremely important in contributing to the outset of the AmericanRevolution. By looking at the perspectives of the two diverging peoples, it is evidentthere is a strong contrast, which lead to increasing tensions.
The intermingling of arrogant British redcoats and the proud colonial militiamenprecariously produced a strong mutual dislike and contempt. The majority of Britishofficers hated colonial service and took great care to avoid it. After all, America was astrange wilderness to them. The West Indies specifically were infested withdisease-carrying pests, and fevers were known to kill hundreds of men. Britains found thecolonists uncooperative and very reluctant to serve for their country.
Religious minoritygroups especially opposed to war “could play hell with appropriations. ” (Chidsey) Forexample, the Quakers absolutely would not fight to protect their very own homes andrefused to be taxed for a war because they thought, according to their religion, it wassinful. Most colonists altogether refused to contribute money. It was not until WilliamPitt offered to reimburse them a share of the money did they render some wealth, thoughnot much (Bailey 98). When American recruits finally dribbled in, they were primitive inmilitary customs.
Some even deserted camp, and when they were seized and broughtback to camp, they were whipped. British General Braddock went so far as to forewarnhis soldiers of a penalty of hanging for the next that deserted him. The colonists, having always thought the British militia to be noble andindomitable, were shocked at their behavior. The almighty Redcoats were actuallyrunning and hiding in battle times when they should have proved valorous. The Britishwere probably embarrassed too over a childish rivalry between English generals WilliamJohnson and Governor William Shirley at Fort Albany.
Competition arose because ofShirley’s greed for Indian allies, and neglecting Johnson simultaneously. Theyimmaturely wrote secret letters about each other, getting others involved and annoyed. Afactor also contributing to the disappointment of the colonists is how the Britishconsistently fought a European war instead of a new style war, particularly guerrillawarfare (based on sneak attack and using camouflage), which limited their success andsometimes determined failure. Impressment prevailed for part of the war, adding insult tooutrage. Impressment refers to the British sending “press gangs” from their warships tobring in mariners to serve in the British ships.
They received little to no pay, and about900 of the seamen died leaving their families bereft and embittered (Reeder). With boththe Americans and the English referring to each other as cowardly dogs, conflict becamemore 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 otherthan with those of the mother country. The disunity that had predominated since thefounding of the colonies can be accounted for and understood because of geographicalbarriers like rivers and lack of roads, diverse religions, mixed nationalities, variousgovernments, boundary disputes, social classes, different currencies at altered worths ineach colony, and jealousy. As British Sir Winston Churchhill said, “They were united indistrusting the home government but in little else. ” However, steps were being taken,sometimes not even purposely, to promote rapport among the colonies.
Newspapers, forinstance, not only covered the war effort, but they also promoted a unity of consciousnessfor the colonies. Through these reports and therefore awareness, the English were warnedof French troops moving southward from Canada and of the French master plan tocapture the continent in 1753. The Albany Plan of Union was a positive step in achievingunion. The ingenious Benjamin Franklin proposed a layout of .
