1 A Balance of Power

In the realm of geopolitics (world politics & foreign policy) the concept of the

‘Balance of Power’ has been used to explain systems of alliances (partnerships)

and warfare for the last millennium.

(1000 years.) Every nation seeks to

expand its wealth and power while

competing nations seeks to do the

same. Basically nations are in contest

of one upmanship. Who is going to

be the best? Colonizes were used as

tools in this geopolitical chess game.

Colonizes were a source of natural

resources. The more resources a

nation controlled the wealthier and

more powerful it became. Nations scrambled to claim new colonies and fought to

keep them and expand them. The French & Indian War is an example of a war

fought to secure a Balance of Power. Both France and England were vying to

expand their power. They both claimed territory in the America’s, when conflict

over the land occurred wars on several continents broke out. In Europe the

fighting was called the Seven Years War. The allies (friends) and colonies of both

nations were drawn into the war, creating a ‘world war’. The concept of a Balance

of Power can be used to explain political and military decisions that span across

history from the time of the Romans all the way up WWII, the Cold War even our

invasion of Iraq.

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1) What purpose do colonies serve a nation?

2) Why would The Seven Years War be considered a ‘world war’?

3) Explain the concept of a ‘balance of power’ your own words.

2. Battle of the Monongahela

The Battle of the Monongahela, also known as the Battle of the Wilderness, took place on 9 July 1755 in the vicinity of present-day Braddock, Pennsylvania, 10 miles upstream from Pittsburgh during the French and Indian War. A British force under General Edward Braddock, assisted by Col. George Washington, moving to take Fort Duquesne, was defeated by a force of French troops, with its Native American allies. Braddock's expedition was part of a four-pronged attack on the French in North America. He was to conquer Fort Duquesne on the forks of the Ohio River. It didn’t turn out the way the British planned. Most of the British regulars were unused to fighting in woods, and terrified by the deadly musket fire. They were accustomed to formal battles where troops lined up and took turns firing. Native Americans did not use these methods; they used the woods to their advantage. Confusion reigned, and several British platoons fired at each other. Of the approximately 1,300 men Braddock led into battle, 456 were killed outright including the general himself. Of the 50 or so women that accompanied the British column as maids and cooks, only 4 returned with the British; about half were taken as captives. Below Washington reported the situation to Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia.

" When we came to this place, we were attacked (very unexpectedly) by about three hundred

French and Indians. Our numbers consisted of about thirteen hundred well armed men, chiefly

Regulars, (British soldiers not colonist) who were immediately struck with such an inconceivable

panic, that nothing but confusion and disobedience of orders prevailed among them…. The

Virginia companies behaved like men and died like soldiers;…In short, the dastardly behaviour

of the Regular troops (so-called) exposed those who were inclined to do their duty to almost

certain death; and, at length, in spite of every effort to the contrary, broke and ran as sheep

before hounds, leaving the artillery, ammunition, provisions, baggage, and in short, everything a

prey to the enemy."

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1) Who was Gen. Braddock and what was his mission?

2) Why were Braddock’s troops unsuccessful?

3) According to the quote how did Washington feel about the defeat?

3. Forts

Fort, short for Fortifications are military buildings designed for defense in warfare. Humans have constructed forts for thousands of years, in a variety of different designs. The colonial powers such as France and England built forts along the frontier (borders) of the colonies as a way to defend their territory from each other as well as Native Americans. Most of the important battles of the French & Indian War were contests to win these forts.

Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York is an example of a fort that dates back to the colonial period. The French built the fort to control the south end of Lake Champlain to prevent the British from gaining military access to the lake. The walls were seven feet high and fourteen feet thick, and the whole works was surrounded by a glacis (sloped earth) and a dry moat five feet deep and 15 feet wide. The fort was armed with cannons. Forts were used as barracks for troops and as storage facilities for supplies. Attacking a fort took a lot of

planning. With the case of Fort Ticonderoga the British sent 11,000 men with canons to take the 400 French troops holding the fort. In the end the French retreated and blew up the fort so the British couldn’t claim it.

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1) Why did the colonial powers such as England & France build forts?

2) Why was Fort Ticonderoga built on Lake Champlain?

3) Why would the British send so many men to attack the fort & why would the French have so few men stationed there?

4. Map

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1) According to the map when and where was the earliest battle?

2) What two French settlement were along the St. Lawrence River?

3) Who controlled the Ohio River Valley?

4) On whose territory were the majority of the battles fought?

5. Results of the French & Indian War

The French and Indian War ended with the Treaty of Paris signed in 1763. With the British victory over the French the map of North America was redrawn. Vast tracts of land changed hands and the French were basically pushed out of North America for a time. For the British the win was bitter sweet. They greatly expanded their territory in America but fell deep in dept to fund the war. In England resentment (bad feelings) towards American colonists grew in Parliament among those who saw Americans as unwilling to financially support a war that was fought on their behalf.

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1) What were the consequences of the war for the French.

2) After 1763 what river acted as a border between English and Spanish territory?

3) Why did the British resent American colonist after the war? What kind of problems do you think this caused between the two groups?