The Seven Years War and the Great Awakening: Crash Course US History #5

Summary

The video script from Crash Course U.S. History explores the Seven Years War's impact on the American Revolution. It delves into the economic motivations behind the war, the role of mercantilism and colonialism, and the pivotal territorial changes that followed. The script also touches on the influence of political philosophies like republicanism and liberalism, and the religious fervor of the Great Awakening, setting the stage for the growing discontent that would eventually lead to the American Revolution.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the Seven Years War, also known as the 'First World War' by Winston Churchill, and its various names in different regions.
• 🌏 The war was fundamentally about economics, with mercantilism being the key economic theory of the British Empire, emphasizing government regulation for national power.
• 💡 Colonies were crucial to the British Empire's economic strategy, providing raw materials and markets for finished goods, with slavery playing a central role in the colonial economy.
• ⚔️ The script highlights the territorial ambitions of Britain and France in North America, leading to conflicts and alliances with Native American tribes.
• 🏰 The Ohio Company's land grant in 1749 and subsequent conflicts with the French and Native Americans set the stage for the French and Indian War.
• 🛡️ George Washington's early military career is mentioned, including his failed attempts to eject the French from forts in Western Pennsylvania.
• 🏹 The French and Indian War resulted in significant territorial changes, with Britain gaining Canada and Florida, but the real losers were the Native Americans, who lost French support.
• 🏛️ The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ended the war, but the territorial gains by Britain were overshadowed by the loss of valuable Caribbean sugar islands to France.
• 🏞️ The Proclamation Line of 1763 was an attempt by the British to prevent further conflicts with Native Americans by restricting colonial settlements west of the Appalachians.
• 🚫 The colonists' disregard for the Proclamation Line and the rise of republicanism and liberalism in the colonies set the stage for the American Revolution.
• 🔥 The Great Awakening, a period of religious revival, contributed to the breakdown in respect for authority and the questioning of traditional governance.

Q & A

What was the Seven Years War also known as in different regions?

In America, it was called the 'French and Indian War', the Prussians referred to it as the 'Third Silesian War', and the Swedes called it the 'Pomeranian War'.

Why is the Seven Years War sometimes referred to as the 'First World War' by Winston Churchill?

It was called the 'First World War' by Winston Churchill due to its global nature and the widespread impact it had on various regions around the world.

What economic theory was central to the British Empire's approach during the 18th century?

Mercantilism was the key economic theory, which emphasized government regulation of the economy to increase national power through tariffs, monopolies, and a favorable balance of trade.

How did colonies contribute to the British Empire's mercantilist strategy?

Colonies were crucial as they produced raw materials and also bought back finished goods made from those materials, thus helping to create a favorable trade balance.

What role did slavery play in the colonial economy, particularly in the production of key trade goods?

Slavery was central to the colonial economy, as the production of important trade goods like tobacco and sugar heavily relied on slave labor, and slaves themselves were a key trade good in the triangular trade.

Who was Britain's main rival in the 18th century, and how did their colonial presence differ from the Spanish?

France was Britain's main rival, with more populous colonies compared to the Spanish, who had a more significant but sparsely populated empire in North America.

What was the significance of the Ohio Company's land grant in 1749, and how did it contribute to the start of the Seven Years War?

The Ohio Company's land grant was significant because it led to conflicts with Native Americans and the French over land rights, which contributed to the start of the war as British colonists, led by George Washington, tried to eject the French from forts they were constructing in Western Pennsylvania.

What was the outcome of the British attack on Fort Duquesne in 1754, and how did it reflect the early course of the war?

The attack on Fort Duquesne was unsuccessful, with the British suffering heavy losses, reflecting the difficult early course of the war for the British forces.

What were the territorial changes that resulted from the Treaty of Paris in 1763, and how did they affect the British and the French?

Under the Treaty of Paris, Britain gained Canada from France and Florida from Spain, while France received Guadalupe and Martinique, and Spain gained Cuba and the Philippines. These changes were seen as more valuable for France and Spain in monetary terms compared to Britain's gains.

How did the Seven Years War set the stage for the American Revolution, and what new ideas were taking root in the colonies?

The war set the stage for the American Revolution by showing colonists' willingness to ignore British Parliament's decisions, such as the Proclamation Line of 1763. New ideas like republicanism and liberalism were taking root, challenging traditional political authority and promoting the belief in natural rights and the public good.

What was the 'Great Awakening', and how did it influence the breakdown of respect for authority in the colonies?

The 'Great Awakening' was a religious revival in the early 18th century that led to a more emotional and individualistic approach to religion. It contributed to the breakdown of respect for authority by challenging established religious norms and hierarchies, which in turn made it easier for colonists to question the acts of a distant Parliament.