French and Indian War Changes Fate of America
Summary
TLDRThe script recounts the pivotal events leading to the American Revolution, starting with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 that ended the Seven Years' War. It details the British Crown's attempt to manage the vast North American territories, the Royal Proclamation of 1763, and the subsequent tensions with colonists and indigenous peoples. The narrative follows George Washington's evolving role from a British officer to a leader of the Continental Army, culminating in the Declaration of Independence. The script highlights the unintended consequences of the French and Indian War, which set the stage for America's struggle for independence and the reshaping of a continent.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ended the Seven Years' War, significantly expanding British territory and leading to the Royal Proclamation of 1763 which attempted to manage the new territories.
- 📜 The Royal Proclamation of 1763 established a boundary west of the Appalachians, reserving lands for Native Americans, but this was met with resistance from settlers eager to expand westward.
- 📚 The script highlights the influence of letters from friends and relatives who had served in the French and Indian War, fueling the desire for land and contributing to the migration to the Ohio Country.
- 💵 The war doubled Britain's national debt, leading Parliament to expect American colonists to contribute financially, which was met with strong opposition and protests, such as the Stamp Act riots.
- 🔥 The colonists' frustration with British policies can be traced back to the French and Indian War, where they initially resisted paying for the war but later felt betrayed by new taxes imposed without their consent.
- 🌳 George Washington's personal experiences, including his land speculation ambitions and his journey to the Ohio Country, reflect the broader tensions between colonial desires and British policy.
- 🏰 The Boston Massacre and the subsequent reaction to the Boston Tea Party illustrate the growing unrest and the colonists' perception of British overreach, leading to calls for self-rule.
- 👥 The First Continental Congress was a response to escalating tensions, representing a coordinated effort among the colonies to resist British actions and assert their rights.
- 🎖️ George Washington's appointment as Commander of the Continental Forces marked a significant shift in his identity from a British gentleman to a leader prepared to lead the colonies in a potential war.
- 📜 The Declaration of Independence is presented as a culmination of the growing rift between the colonies and Britain, asserting the need for the colonies to dissolve political ties with Britain.
- 🏞️ The script concludes by reflecting on the broader impact of the French and Indian War, which not only eliminated France's empire in North America but also set the stage for the American Revolution and the displacement of Native American tribes.
Q & A
What event marked the end of the Seven Years' War and its impact on British territory?
-The Seven Years' War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which resulted in King George III ruling more territory across the globe than the Roman Empire ever had.
What was the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and its significance in the context of North America?
-The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was an edict issued by the British monarchy that established a new boundary, asserting that all lands west of the Appalachians were reserved for the Native Americans, which was a significant attempt to manage the vast territory in North America.
How did the migration to the Ohio Country in the 1760s affect the relationship between settlers and the British Crown?
-The migration to the Ohio Country in the 1760s was fueled by letters from friends and relatives who had served with British forces during the French and Indian War. Settlers were cutting their way into the continent's interior, often marking their land claims, which led to tension when the King declared the land they were settling as off-limits for them.
What was the Stamp Act and why did it cause a violent reaction in the American colonies?
-The Stamp Act was a tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies, requiring them to pay for the use of paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other printed materials. It caused a violent reaction because it was seen as a direct tax imposed without the consent of the colonists, leading to riots and resistance.
How did the French and Indian War influence the colonists' view of British rule and their rights?
-The French and Indian War led to a shift in the colonists' view of British rule, as they began to see Britain as heavy-handed and overbearing. The war also influenced their view of their rights, as they felt betrayed by the British policies, especially the imposition of taxes without their consent, which fueled the desire for self-rule.
What was George Washington's stance on the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and its impact on his land speculation?
-George Washington viewed the Royal Proclamation of 1763 as a temporary measure. He believed that the proclamation, which reserved lands west of the Appalachians for the Native Americans, would not last and that settlers like himself would soon be able to take possession of those lands for their own profit.
How did the Boston Massacre and the subsequent British reaction contribute to the growing tensions between the colonies and Britain?
-The Boston Massacre, where British soldiers killed five colonists, and the subsequent British reaction, which included sending troops to Boston and rewriting the colony's charter, contributed to the growing tensions by further alienating the colonists and radicalizing their views on self-rule and resistance to British authority.
What was the significance of the Boston Tea Party and Britain's response to it?
-The Boston Tea Party was a protest against British taxes on tea, where colonists dumped tea into the harbor to resist the tax. Britain's severe response, which included flooding Boston with troops and rewriting the colony's charter, further escalated tensions and contributed to the growing movement for American independence.
How did George Washington's role evolve from a British officer to a leader of the colonial forces?
-George Washington's role evolved from a British officer to a leader of the colonial forces as he became increasingly frustrated with British policies and the infringement on colonial rights. His military experience and leadership during the French and Indian War made him a natural choice to lead the colonial forces when war with Britain became imminent.
What was the Declaration of Independence and its relevance to the French and Indian War?
-The Declaration of Independence was a document adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1776, declaring the thirteen American colonies' independence from British rule. Its relevance to the French and Indian War lies in the fact that the war set the stage for the colonists' growing resentment towards British rule, which eventually led to the desire for independence.
Outlines
🏛️ The Treaty of Paris and Its Aftermath
The script begins with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which ended the Seven Years' War and expanded King George III's territories. The British Empire now faced the challenge of managing vast North American lands, leading to the Royal Proclamation of 1763. This proclamation established a boundary west of the Appalachians, reserving the lands for Native Americans. However, settlers, encouraged by letters from friends and relatives, continued to migrate to the Ohio Country, marking land claims with their initials. The script also touches on the financial burden of the war, which doubled Britain's national debt, and the subsequent imposition of taxes like the Stamp Act, sparking violent reactions and riots in the colonies. The roots of colonial frustration are traced back to the French and Indian War, with General Braddock's demands for colonial contributions and William Pitt's respectful treatment of the colonists as partners in the empire.
🌳 Land Speculation and Colonial Tensions
This paragraph delves into George Washington's personal experiences with the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which prevented him from claiming lands in the west despite his aspirations as a planter and land speculator. Washington's journey to the Ohio Country, where he once fought for the British Empire, is recounted. The script discusses the tension between the proclamation's intent to protect Indian lands and the rapid westward expansion of settlers. It also highlights the irony of Washington's past relationship with the Seneca Chief Guyasuta, who now finds himself in a position where he must navigate the changing political landscape and the encroachment of settlers on his people's lands.
🗳️ Colonial Resistance and the Path to Revolution
The script moves on to describe the growing unrest and resistance among the colonists, culminating in events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. The British response to the latter, which involved flooding Boston with troops and rewriting the colony's charter, is detailed. The narrative emphasizes the colonists' perception of British overreach and the radical assertion of self-rule. It also touches on the first Continental Congress, where Washington and other representatives called for a coordinated effort to resist British actions, reflecting the deteriorating relations and the colonists' preparedness to defend their rights by force if necessary.
🎖️ Washington's Appointment and the Birth of America
The final paragraph focuses on Washington's transformation from a British gentleman to the leader of the colonial forces, as he is appointed commander of the Continental forces by the Second Continental Congress. The script highlights Washington's military experience and the symbolic significance of his uniform. It also recounts the battles and political developments that led to the American Revolution, including the Declaration of Independence and the subsequent battles. The narrative concludes by reflecting on the unintended consequences of the French and Indian War, which set the stage for the revolution and ultimately led to the creation of the United States, while also impacting the fate of Native American tribes.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Treaty of Paris (1763)
💡Royal Proclamation of 1763
💡Appalachians
💡French and Indian War
💡Stamp Act
💡Boston Massacre
💡Boston Tea Party
💡George Washington
💡Continental Congress
💡Declaration of Independence
💡Guyasuta
Highlights
The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ended the Seven Years' War and expanded British territory more than the Roman Empire ever had.
King George III issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763, establishing a new boundary and reserving lands west of the Appalachians for Native Americans.
Despite the Proclamation, immigrants continued to settle in the backcountry, often marking land claims with their initials.
The migration to the Ohio Country was fueled by letters from those who served in the French and Indian War, promising access to the continent's interior.
The Stamp Act, a tax on paper, caused a violent reaction in the colonies, including riots and the burning of tax officials in effigy.
Colonists felt betrayed by the new tax imposed by Parliament without their consent, leading to a sense of frustration and resistance.
George Washington's path to prosperity as a planter and land speculator was obstructed by British policy, particularly the Royal Proclamation of 1763.
Washington visited the Ohio Country in 1770, seeking to claim land promised to colonial soldiers after the French and Indian War.
Despite British policy, settlers continued to pour into the Ohio Country, viewing the Proclamation Line as a temporary measure.
Washington met with the Seneca Chief Guyasuta, reflecting the complex relationships between colonists and Native Americans over land rights.
The Boston Massacre and subsequent British reactions, including the occupation of Boston and the rewriting of its charter, increased colonial resentment.
The Boston Tea Party and Britain's severe response marked a significant escalation in tensions between the colonies and the crown.
Washington and other colonial representatives called for a coordinated effort to resist British actions at the First Continental Congress.
The outbreak of fighting in Massachusetts in 1775 marked the transition from a family feud to a full-blown revolution.
At the Second Continental Congress, Washington was nominated and elected as the commander of the Continental forces, signifying his commitment to lead the colonial struggle.
The Declaration of Independence was read aloud, marking the official dissolution of political ties between the colonies and Great Britain.
The French and Indian War set the stage for the American Revolution by eliminating France's empire in North America and fostering a belief in the unlimited exercise of power.
The war's aftermath led to the forced removal of Native Americans from their lands and the loss of autonomy, highlighting the conflict's far-reaching impacts.
Transcripts
IN FEBRUARY 1763,
BRITAIN AND FRANCE SIGNED THE TREATY OF PARIS,
ENDING AT LAST THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR.
KING GEORGE III NOW RULED MORE TERRITORY ACROSS THE GLOBE
THAN WAS EVER HELD BY THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
BUT THE TERRITORY IN NORTH AMERICA IS NOW SO VAST,
THE BRITISH MUST FIND A NEW WAY TO MANAGE IT.
THE KING ISSUES THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION OF 1763.
AMONG ITS PROVISIONS IS A NEW BOUNDARY.
THE PROCLAMATION GOES EVEN FURTHER
THAN THE TREATY OF EASTON,
ASSERTING THAT ALL LANDS WEST OF THE APPALACHIANS,
THE HEART OF THE CONTINENT, ARE RESERVED FOR THE INDIANS.
AND YET, MORE IMMIGRANTS THAN EVER
ARE SETTLING IN THE BACKCOUNTRY.
IN THE 1760s, THE OHIO COUNTRY PLAYS HOST
TO A NEW MIGRATION FROM BRITAIN AND OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE.
NEWCOMERS CUT THEIR WAY INTO NORTH AMERICA'S INTERIOR,
OFTEN MARKING THE CORNERS OF THEIR LAND CLAIMS
WITH THEIR INITIALS.
THE MIGRATION WAS FUELED BY LETTERS
FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
WHO HAD SERVED WITH BRITISH FORCES
DURING THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
COLONIALS HAD BEEN FIGHTING FOR ACCESS
TO THE CONTINENT'S VAST INTERIOR.
AFTER ALL, THAT'S WHAT THEY THOUGHT THE WAR WAS ALL ABOUT.
AND NOW THE KING HAS DECLARED
THE VERY LAND THEY ARE SETTLING IS OFF-LIMITS,
RESERVED FOR INDIANS.
AND THERE WAS ANOTHER SOURCE OF TENSION --
MONEY.
THE WAR HAD DOUBLED BRITAIN'S NATIONAL DEBT.
BRITISH TAXPAYERS HAD LONG SHOULDERED THE BURDEN.
NOW PARLIAMENT EXPECTED AMERICAN COLONISTS
TO PAY THEIR SHARE.
A SMALL TAX ON PAPER, THE STAMP ACT,
CAUSES AN UNEXPECTEDLY VIOLENT REACTION IN THE COLONIES.
[ MEN SHOUTING ]
RIOTS BREAK OUT.
TAX OFFICIALS ARE BURNED IN EFFIGY
AND FORCED FROM THEIR JOBS.
THE TAX IS WIDELY IGNORED.
WHY IS THE REACTION SO INCENDIARY?
THE ROOT OF COLONIAL FRUSTRATIONS
CAN BE TRACED TO THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
AS FAR BACK AS 1755,
GENERAL BRADDOCK HAD MET RESISTANCE
WHEN HE DEMANDED THE COLONISTS PAY TOWARD THE COST OF THE WAR.
YOU CANNOT TELL ME YOU HAVE NOT THE POWER
TO MAKE THESE LITTLE ASSEMBLIES DO THE KING'S WILL.
Greene: THE RELATIONSHIP CHANGED
WHEN WILLIAM PITT BECAME THE KING'S PRIME MINISTER
AND TREATED THE COLONISTS WITH RESPECT.
LETTERS, GENTLEMEN, FROM LONDON.
Greene: THEY HAD BEEN HAPPY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WAR EFFORT
AS LONG AS THEY WERE CONSIDERED FULL PARTNERS IN THE EMPIRE,
WITH THE SAME RIGHTS AS PEOPLE IN BRITAIN.
BUT NOW PARLIAMENT IMPOSES THIS NEW TAX
WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
THE COLONISTS FEEL BETRAYED.
BRITISH POLICY INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATES GEORGE WASHINGTON.
IT IS AN OBSTACLE ON HIS PATH TOWARDS PROSPERITY AS A PLANTER
AND LAND SPECULATOR.
IN THE FALL OF 1770,
WASHINGTON VISITS HIS LAND SURVEYOR
WHO HAS LINED UP SOME CHOICE PARCELS IN THE OHIO COUNTRY.
HIS JOURNEY TAKES HIM BACK TO THE PLACES
WHERE HE HAD ONCE FOUGHT FOR THE BRITISH EMPIRE...
NEAR THE FORKS OF THE OHIO,
WHERE HE HAD BARELY SURVIVED
THE FIRST REAL BATTLE OF THE WAR AT FORT NECESSITY.
[ GUNSHOT ]
AS A REWARD FOR THEIR SERVICE IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR,
COLONIAL SOLDIERS WERE PROMISED LAND.
WASHINGTON IS HERE TODAY TO REAP HIS REWARD.
BUT BECAUSE THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION OF 1763
PRESERVES THE WEST FOR THE INDIANS,
HE KNOWS HE CAN'T TAKE POSSESSION -- YET.
LIKE MANY PEOPLE, HE BELIEVES IT WON'T BE LONG
BEFORE HE CAN.
ON HIS TRIP,
WASHINGTON DINES AT FORT PITT.
I SAW SOME EXCEEDING FINE LAND.
THERE IS AN OPENING PROSPECT
IN THE BACKCOUNTRY FOR ADVENTURERS,
WHERE AN ENTERPRISING MAN
WITH VERY LITTLE MONEY MAY LAY THE FOUNDATION
OF A NOBLE ESTATE AND NEW SETTLEMENTS
FOR HIMSELF AND POSTERITY.
AND WHAT OF THE PROCLAMATION LINE?
ARE WE NOT TO PROTECT THE INDIAN LANDS?
[ CHUCKLES ]
SURELY WE MUST GIVE THE INDIANS SOMETHING
IF WE ARE TO KEEP THE PEACE.
I CAN NEVER LOOK UPON THAT PROCLAMATION
IN ANY OTHER LIGHT BUT AS A TEMPORARY EXPEDIENT
TO QUIET THE MINDS OF THE INDIANS.
IT MUST FALL, SURELY,
IN A FEW YEARS.
THE CROWN ITSELF HAS NOT YET CONSENTED IN IT.
CONSENT OR NO,
THEY'RE SETTLING IT AS FAST AS A WILDFIRE.
LAST YEAR, I'M SURE THERE WERE BETWEEN 4,000 AND 5,000.
AND ALL THIS SPRING AND SUMMER,
THE ROADS ARE LINED WITH WAGONS,
ALL MOVING TO THE OHIO.
ANY PERSON
WHO NEGLECTS THE OPPORTUNITY
OF HUNTING OUT GOOD LANDS AND, IN SOME MEASURE, MARKING
AND DISTINGUISHING THEM AS THEIR OWN,
WILL NEVER REGAIN THE OPPORTUNITY.
Man: MM-HMM.
Greene: IT WAS 20 YEARS BEFORE THAT WASHINGTON
HAD FIRST BEEN DISPATCHED TO SECURE THIS TERRITORY
FOR THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
HIS GUIDE ON THAT JOURNEY WAS THE SENECA CHIEF GUYASUTA.
IT'S IRONIC THAT THEY WOULD MEET AGAIN NOW
AS WASHINGTON SEEKS TO ACQUIRE THE LAND FOR HIMSELF.
LIKE SO MANY INDIANS, GUYASUTA WAS USED TO A WORLD
WHERE TWO EMPIRES COULD BE PLAYED OFF EACH OTHER.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SENECA CHIEF
SEEMS PLEASED TO SEE WASHINGTON AGAIN.
Washington: IN THE PERSON OF GUYASUTA,
I FOUND AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE,
HE BEING ONE OF THE INDIANS THAT WENT WITH ME
TO THE FRENCH IN 1753.
HE EXPRESSED SATISFACTION IN SEEING ME
AND GREETED US WITH GREAT KINDNESS.
HE THANKED ME FOR SAYING THAT PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
WAS THE WISH OF MY PEOPLE
AND AGAIN EXPRESSED HIS PEOPLE'S DESIRE
AND THEIR FRIENDLY DISPOSITION TO THE WHITE PEOPLE.
Greene: DESPITE THEIR FRIENDLINESS,
GUYASUTA KNOWS THAT WASHINGTON IS NOT HERE
MERELY TO PAY A SOCIAL CALL, BUT TO ACQUIRE LAND.
IT IS ONLY BRITISH POLICY
THAT'S HOLDING WASHINGTON BACK,
JUST AS BRITISH POLICIES ARE ANGERING COLONISTS ELSEWHERE.
[ CROWD SHOUTING ]
IN NEW ENGLAND, A CLASH OF EXPECTATIONS
LEADS TO MOUNTING TENSION.
[ GUNFIRE ]
BRITISH RULE IS SEEN AS HEAVY-HANDED.
A RIOT ENDS WHEN REDCOATS KILL FIVE
IN WHAT COLONISTS CALL "THE BOSTON MASSACRE."
THEY SEE BRITAIN AS RIDING ROUGHSHOD
OVER THE RIGHTS OF COLONIAL ASSEMBLIES.
RADICALS INCREASINGLY ASSERT THE RIGHT OF SELF-RULE.
IN DECEMBER 1773,
THINGS COME TO A HEAD OVER YET ANOTHER TAX,
THIS TIME ON TEA.
BRITAIN'S REACTION TO THE BOSTON TEA PARTY
IS SEVERE.
THE CROWN FLOODS BOSTON WITH TROOPS
AND REWRITES THE COLONY'S CHARTER.
EVEN MODERATES LIKE WASHINGTON
FIND THESE DEVELOPMENTS DISTURBING.
WHEN HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES EXPRESS SOLIDARITY WITH BOSTON,
THE ROYAL GOVERNOR DISSOLVES VIRGINIA'S LEGISLATURE.
THEY RECONVENE AT THE NEARBY RALEIGH TAVERN.
FOR MY PART, I SHALL NOT UNDERTAKE TO SAY
WHERE THE LINE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN
AND THE COLONIES SHOULD BE DRAWN,
BUT I AM CLEARLY OF THE OPINION
THAT ONE OUGHT TO BE DRAWN
AND OUR RIGHTS CLEARLY ASCERTAINED.
I COULD WISH, I OWN,
THAT THIS DISPUTE HAD BEEN LEFT TO POSTERITY TO DETERMINE,
BUT THE CRISIS IS UPON US
AND OUR RIGHTS MUST BE ASSERTED.
Greene: AND YET, EVEN AT THIS MOMENT OF CRISIS,
COLONISTS LIKE WASHINGTON
HAVE NO INTEREST IN BREAKING AWAY FROM THE EMPIRE.
THEIR CONCERNS AMOUNT TO A FAMILY ARGUMENT,
NOT A CALL TO REVOLUTION.
THIS PORTRAIT SHOWS WASHINGTON WEARING A GORGET,
THE MARK OF A BRITISH OFFICER.
IT AFFIRMS HIS ALLEGIANCE TO THE CROWN.
IN SEPTEMBER 1774,
AT THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS,
WASHINGTON AND OTHER COLONIAL REPRESENTATIVES
CALL FOR A COORDINATED EFFORT TO RESIST BRITISH ACTIONS.
RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE
AND WASHINGTON IS DRAWN FURTHER INTO THE FRAY.
A STREAM OF ADMIRERS COME TO MOUNT VERNON
TO SEEK HIS POLITICAL AND MILITARY COUNSEL.
AMERICANS PREPARE TO DEFEND WHAT THEY SEE AS THEIR RIGHTS,
BY FORCE OF ARMS, IF NECESSARY.
[ GUNFIRE ]
IN APRIL 1775, FIGHTING ERUPTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
BETWEEN COLONIAL AND BRITISH FORCES.
THIS IS NO LONGER A FAMILY FEUD,
A DISPUTE BETWEEN LOYAL MEMBERS OF THEMPIRE.
ONCE BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED,
THERE'S NO GOING BACK.
WITH BOSTON UNDER SIEGE, A SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
IS CONVENED.
WASHINGTON NO LONGER ASPIRES TO BE A BRITISH GENTLEMAN.
HE USED TO ORDER HIS SUITS CUT TO THE LATEST STYLES IN LONDON.
TO THIS CONGRESS, HE WEARS THE UNIFORM HE DESIGNED
FOR VIRGINIA'S NEW MILITIA.
IT HAS BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE YOUNG, NAIVE COLONEL
SET OFF INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY
TO JOIN A BATTLE SPARKING AN EPIC STRUGGLE.
NOW HE ANTICIPATES A NEW BATTLE.
THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS MUST ORGANIZE A WAR
AND DECIDE WHO WILL LEAD IT.
WASHINGTON! HA HA, WELCOME!
Greene: SOME TAKE WASHINGTON'S UNIFORM AS A STATEMENT
THAT HE IS PREPARED TO LEAD THE COLONIAL FORCES.
JOHN ADAMS NOTES,
"HIS GREAT EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES IN MILITARY MATTERS
IS OF MUCH SERVICE TO US."
THEN ADAMS NOMINATES HIM TO BE
COMMANDER OF THE CONTINENTAL FORCES.
Adams: RESOLVED, THAT A GENERAL BE APPOINTED,
GEORGE WASHINGTON ESQUIRE IS UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED,
AND THAT HE WILL COMMAND...
IT WAS UTTERLY OUT OF MY POWER TO REFUSE THIS APPOINTMENT
WITHOUT EXPOSING MY CHARACTER TO SUCH CENSURE
AS WOULD HAVE REFLECTED DISHONOR UPON MYSELF.
I SHALL RELY, THEREFORE, CONFIDENTLY,
UPON THAT PROVIDENCE WHICH HERETOFORE
HAS PRESERVED AND BEEN BOUNTIFUL TO ME.
[ DRUMS BEATING ]
Greene: A YEAR LATER, WASHINGTON IS PREPARING
RAGTAG CONTINENTAL TROOPS FOR BATTLE.
Officer: SHOULDER YOUR ARMS!
Greene: IT IS 21 YEARS TO THE DAY
SINCE WASHINGTON WITNESSED
GENERAL BRADDOCK'S STUNNING DEFEAT...
[ GUNSHOT ]
IN THE FIRST MAJOR BATTLE OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
Washington: I DID NOT LET THE ANNIVERSARY
OF THE 9th OF THIS MONTH PASS
WITHOUT A GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THE ESCAPE WE HAD
ON THE BANKS OF THE MONONGAHELA.
Greene: IT IS THE SAME PROVIDENCE
THAT SPARED HIM THAT HORRENDOUS DAY,
WASHINGTON HOPES,
WHICH WILL SEE THEM THROUGH THE BATTLE TO COME.
Officer: SHOULDER YOUR ARMS!
Greene: LIKE WASHINGTON,
MANY OF THESE SOLDIERS ARE VETERANS OF ANOTHER WAR,
A WAR FOUGHT FERVENTLY ON BEHALF OF THEIR EMPIRE,
NOT AGAINST IT.
HOW UNEXPECTED,
HOW IRONIC.
BRITAIN WON THE WAR FOR AMERICA,
BUT IN DOING SO, IT UNLEASHED PASSIONS
THAT WILL LEAD IT TO LOSE AMERICA.
Officer: GENTLEMEN,
"A DECLARATION BY THE REPRESENTATIVES
"OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
"IN GENERAL CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.
"WHEN, IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS,
"IT BECOMES NECESSARY FOR ONE PEOPLE
TO DISSOLVE THE POLITICAL BANDS..."
"THE HISTORY OF THE PRESENT KING OF GREAT BRITAIN
"IS A HISTORY OF REPEATED INJURIES AND USURPATIONS,
ALL HAVING IN DIRECT OBJECT..."
"THE INHABITANTS OF OUR FRONTIERS,
"THE MERCILESS INDIAN SAVAGES,
"WHOSE KNOWN RULE OF WARFARE
IS AN UNDISTINGUISHED DESTRUCTION..."
"AND THAT ALL POLITICAL CONNECTION
"BETWEEN THEM AND THE STATE OF GREAT BRITAIN
IS AND OUGHT TO BE TOTALLY DISSOLVED."
HIP-HIP...
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HIP-HIP...
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HIP-HIP...
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
[ SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE ]
Greene: THAT SAME MONTH, AT THE FORKS OF THE OHIO,
THE HEART OF EVENTS FOR THE PAST 23 YEARS,
COLONIAL REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH GUYASUTA.
HE TRIES TO ASSERT INDIAN DOMINION OVER THE LAND.
WE WILL NOT SUFFER EITHER THE ENGLISH OR AMERICANS
TO MARCH AN ARMY THROUGH OUR COUNTRY.
I'M APPOINTED BY THE SIX NATIONS
TO TAKE CARE OF THIS COUNTRY.
AND I WILL!
Greene: AND HE TRIES.
TO MAINTAIN THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS PEOPLE,
GUYASUTA NEEDS A POWERFUL ALLY,
BUT THE FRENCH ARE GONE FOREVER,
AND THE BRITISH WOULD ABANDON THE INDIANS TO THEIR FATE.
UNDER PRESIDENT WASHINGTON,
AMERICANS FORCED THE INDIANS OFF THE LANDS
THAT GUYASUTA VOWED TO DEFEND.
IN 1754, NO ONE IN AMERICA IMAGINED
THAT A BACKWOODS TERRITORIAL DISPUTE
WOULD END UP TRANSFORMING THE WORLD.
BUT THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR DID JUST THAT,
BY ELIMINATING FRANCE'S EMPIRE IN NORTH AMERICA,
BY ALLOWING BRITISH LEADERS TO BELIEVE
THEY COULD EXERCISE POWER WITHOUT RESTRAINT,
BY CONVINCING COLONISTS
THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RESIST THAT POWER,
EVEN TO THE POINT OF REVOLUTION,
AND BY DEPRIVING INDIAN PEOPLE
OF THE ALLIES NEEDED TO HELP PROTECT THEIR LAND
AND THEIR AUTONOMY.
NO ONE EXPECTED ANY OF THIS TO HAPPEN,
BUT BY CHANGING THE FACE OF THE CONTINENT,
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR BECAME
THE WAR THAT MADE AMERICA.
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