Epidemics & Poison Pills 7 Years War
Great War for Empire 1745-1763
Introduction
The colonial powers of England and France battled for control of the North American continent from the end of the 17th century until the 1760s in the Great War for Empire. Ultimately both would lose, dragging native allies down with them.
The trajectory of conflict following the French exit in 1760 continued well into the 1800s, as American settlers pushed all native peoples west and down across the continent.
Posts related to Native histories in the colonial New England region are avail. as https://crackpot.substack.com/t/pennacook
[1] 1745-1760. Broad brush brushstrokes who is who as French & English cannon begin to roar in 1745.
[2] 1759-1761 The Cherokee rise against the English amidst the fighting between French and English forces. These are the first steps the path toward the Cherokee Trail of Tears that will take a human lifespan and many human lives to complete.
“On November 29, 1760, in a colorful ceremony, the French flag came down at Fort Detroit, the British flag went up, and French soldiers were sent off.” - Utley & Washburn. pg. 103
The British victory over the French is pyrrhic. At this point in colonial history the British had a special talent for provoking rebellion amongst all peoples equally in the Americas. British colonial power in the Americas is in terminal decline. The same imperial attitudes and actions that lead to the American revolutionary experience of 1776 similarly provokes the natives to rise, roar and revolt during the 60s.
[1-2] 1763 - Frexit. complete.
Pontiac’s Great Lakes War in the fallout as Pontiac and the English butt heads. A stunning series of victories follow Pontiac. Great Lakes forts fall to the Ottawa and their allies one after the other before the English comeback.
[3] 1763 - The Delawares court disaster when they raid Fort Pitt contracting smallpox by contact.
[4] 1764 - The Earl of Dunmore and settlers push past agreed upon land. The Shawnee under Chief Cornstalk fight and lose to maintain their land from encroaching settlers.
[5] 1766 - Frustrated by encroaching settlements, Cherokee burn the frontier. Colonial troops reciprocate, driving the Cherokee back and burning their crops and houses. Another step.
[9] 1783 - Brexit.
The expulsion of the French and British following the American War of Independance in 1776-1783 upset delicate political balances. Among the casualties are the mighty Iroquois Nation, who are split within over alliances to the French and English. (The Tuscarora and Oneidas side with Americans, the rest side with the English).
[6] 1820 - The start of the Trail of Tears for the Seminole under Osceola.
[7] 1821 - Spexit. Thanks for all the gold and silver.
[8] 1845 - The Cherokee struggle ends in the bitter Trail of Tears to Oklahoma.
References
Utley, Robert M, and Wilcomb E Washburn. Indian Wars. Boston Mass., Houghton Mifflin, 2002.