Seven Years' War Paper - Essay Example

British colonies stretched along eastern coast of North America from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the north to Georgia in the south. Most of the older colonies extended their claims far westward. As the continents geography was unknown colonial authorities granted provincial charters arbitrarily. As their main centers were situated closely to the coast the y had increasingly growing populations so British settlements and fur traders were expanding inland across Appalachian Mountains. Nova Scotia which had been conquered by the British during Queen Anne’s War retained numerous French-speaking population, principally based on the shores of Northumberland Strait and the Bay of Fundy.

Moreover the British claimed Rupert’s Land and established Hudson’s Bay Company to trade with Indians. In spite of the British and French claims the vast areas were under control of indigenous tribes. To the north of Abenaki and Mi'kmaq still dominated parts of Acadia, eastern provinces of present day Canada and Maine as well as Nova Scotia (Jennings, 1988). Iroquois League held sway over Ohio country as well as over the most part of present day Upstate New York; however the former included populations of Mingo, Delaware and Shawnee.

These tribes were formally the tributaries of Iroquois League so were restricted by the latter in authorities to conclude agreements. As soon as the war broke out the French also began to use their business connections to recruit from the native tribes in the western part of Great Lakes region (an area that was not a matter of controversy between the belligerents). Cherokee and Iroquois League rendered support to the British until disagreements ignited the Anglo-Cherokee war in 1758. In that very year the government of Pennsylvania worked out Treaty of Easton.

According to that agreement Ohioan tribes swore neutrality in return for concession of the lands. The rest of the northern tribes for the most part took the side of the French, their main supplier of arms and ammunition and trading partner. Both British and French diplomacies did their best to secure support of Cherokee and Creek tribes’ neutrality. It was common for both small gangs and individuals to take part in hostilities on the different side of the conflict. By the time when the war broke out there had not been any French regular army units in North America though were few British ones.

As a rule French possessions in North America were defended by 3.000 troupes de la marine made up of colonial regulars. Some of them had experience in woodland warfare. Also militia bands used to be called for when needed. British colonies enrolled militia units to fight the natives when needed yet did not have any regular forces there. Seven Years changed social, economic and political relations between the main European powers (Spain, Britain and France), their possessions and colonists and indigenes which inhabited the disputed territories.

Britain assumed control over Acadia, French Canada and other possessions inhabited by some 80, 000 predominantly French-speaking Catholics. The deportation of the French-speaking Acadians began in 1775 and made this land available for new migrants from Europe as well as from the southern colonies. Lots of Acadians were resettled throughout British North American provinces, though many moved to France or to Louisiana which they had hoped to stay French. Some of them were exiled to colonize such diverse places as Falkland