From the moment of its first colonization by Peter Stuyvesant as New Netherlands, New York State showed military promise to both the British and the French. Colonial New York extended from the Atlantic at New York Harbor all the way north, to the great lakes on the border of the French colonies of Quebec and Ontario, which made up the combined colony of Canada. Its great size places it perfectly in between the Southern States and New England. Therefore, whoever controlled New York controlled the fate of both regions of the original 13 states. New York is utilized for its geographical importance in two of the most prominent wars of early American history: The French and Indian War and The American Revolution. The significance of New York …show more content…
State was that it was geographically the focal point of both the French and Indian War as well as the Revolution, due to the Battles of Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Brooklyn, and the British occupation of New York City. In the 1740s, French Canadians feared the hindering of their fur trade through Indian defections to the British colonies. The Canadians responded to this with “diplomatic” tour in 1749 that threatened English trade and claimed French sovereignty. Canadians then arrested traders and helped the destruction of the English trading base at Pickawillany in 1752. The governor of Canada then sent an army to found forts between Lake Erie and the Allegheny River in order to force French occupation and trade in New York, which included four forts, one of which was Fort Ticonderoga. Actions like this threatened the English colonies and led to the 1754 declaration of war between Great Britain, France, and allied Native American tribes. New York, being at the border of French Canada and British America, was put in prime danger of French invasion and occupation. The British started their 1758 military campaign with a new leader, William Pitt, who was determined to provide more troops, money, military commanders for the North American theater of the war known to the British as the Seven Years War. Pitt now now focused on the conquest of Canada ,targeting four French forts. Of these forts, Fort Carillon, more commonly known as Fort Ticonderoga, was the most important one. Fort Ticonderoga, located on Lake Champlain and near Lake George, provided defense against northern access to the Hudson River, and ultimately New York Harbor. Major General James Abercromby commanded the assault on Fort Ticonderoga in the July of 1758. Fort Ticonderoga was defended by the Marquis de Montcalm and his thirty-five hundred French and Native American troops while Abercrombie led fifteen thousand British troops (Gilchrist). They were initially unable to overcome a French abattis, which is a field fortification used as an obstacle made of tree branches laid in a row with the sharpened tops pointed towards the enemy. This along with trenches, greatly hindered the British and after six failed attempts, they retreated. This was not the last of the British as they tried again in 1759 under the command of Sir Jeffery Amherst. This attack, after learning from the previous one, was successful as French forces, without knowledge of the attack, migrated to defend Quebec against the rest of the British campaign. By the time the French realized what was going on, it was too late and the British had successfully took control of Fort Ticonderoga. The Treaty of Paris was signed four years later on February 10, 1763 as the French were determined to retain the economic center of their Atlantic empire, which included sugar plantations, slave stations, and the Newfoundland fisher market. The French accepted the British victory over New France and ceded to the British all French rights to lands east of the Mississippi River. Because of the British victory at Fort Ticonderoga, the French’s best bet at an offensive victory (the capturing of New York Harbor) was cut off and forced the French to be on the defensive for the remainder of the war until their eventual surrender after the invasion of Canada by the British. Furthermore, Fort Ticonderoga’s location in New York directly stopped France’s French and Indian War offensive and later resulted in Great Britain’s annexation of all of France’s colonial territory within North America east of the Mississippi. Fort Ticonderoga proved to be militarily significant once again in the American Revolution. Beginning in May of 1775, the Continental Army planned for the invasion of Quebec through New York. Fort Ticonderoga was needed as a staging area for the invasion of Quebec, similar to the French and Indian War, due to its location on the border and connection to multiple colonies where militia could be drafted from. Soldiers and supplies for the invasion consolidated during the summer under General Montgomery. Colonel Ethan Allen, of the Green Mountain Boys, captured Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775 (Allen). Being less than a month after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, it was “The colonists' first complete victory in the Revolutionary War”, as stated by Allen himself. (Allen) On August 28, 1775, Montgomery commenced the invasion leading 1,200 troops into Quebec. Fort Ticonderoga continued to serve as a staging ground for the invasion until the final siege at Quebec City that killed General Montgomery. Furthermore, Fort Ticonderoga contributed the New York’s military significance due to serving as a staging ground for invading Canada, protecting access to the hudson from the North (in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution), being home to one of the first battles of the revolution, being the first American victory., all thanks to its geographical location in New York State. As the war progressed, it seemed to many that the British had a near guaranteed victory over the Americans. But, the tides soon turned when American Generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold met British General Burgoyne at Saratoga, NY. The British planned to take control of all of New York hence cutting off New England from the South and making it a clear British victory. But, the Americans were aware of the importance of New York and sent Arnold to stop the British. The British planned that soldiers from Canada and New York City would march towards the center of the state and converge at Albany, on the Hudson River. If successful, all communication and supply between the Northern colonies of New England and those of the Middle and South would be disrupted and cut off. A final knockout blow would then be concentrated on New England, the main source of the rebellion, therefore forcing the South to surrender. While Arnold was accumulating new recruits partially trained by regional militia and somewhat accustomed to firearms, Burgoyne’s march southward was held up at the American Fort Edward. Burgoyne suffered a considerably unwanted loss there losing communication with Howe, who he was to meet with from the south. He decided to continue his march nevertheless and had a brief encounter with the Americans forcing them to set up camp despite being victorious. Both sides suffered considerable losses as the Americans grew newfound confidence in their skills against the British Army. The Americans had fallen back and were now strongly posted near Stillwater, halfway between Saratoga and Albany,but were determined not to let up. A month later, Arnold regrouped with Gates and led a heroic charge against the British, where he himself was shot in the leg (McDowell). Because of the charge, the Indians and Canadians started to desert Burgoyne as Gates and Arnold were continuously reinforced by militia. More importantly, the Americans then had greater numbers than the British allowing them to win the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Saratoga became the turning point in the war as the United States gained new allies in Europe.
When news of Burgoyne's surrender reached France, King Louis XVI began negotiations with the Americans, particularly Ben Franklin, that resulted in a military alliance between the two nations hence bring France into the war making it on a greater stage. Britain was then forced to defend their colonial holdings in the West Indies and Europe against the French, taking up valuable resources and soldiers that could be used to fight the Americans. France was eager to help the Americans, especially since they lost to the British in the Seven Years War. Before the Battle of Saratoga, France didn't fully help the Americans and were skeptical of their ability to win the war. However, after they won the Battles of Saratoga, France realized that the Americans had a chance and began full aid for the Americans sending soldiers, loans, ships, weapons, and supplies. Furthermore, the Battle of Saratoga was the turning point in the war since it bought France, Holland Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and Russia into the war creating an alliance that would eventually end the war (Creasy). The geographical location of Saratoga made it the last line of defense against the conquering of New York which, because of its central location, would isolate the other states. This crucial battle not only saved New York, but also inspired the intervention of multiple European nations including the powerhouse France. Because this alliance made American independence and British defeat possible, the battle that took place in Saratoga, NY was the most important battle of the entire
revolution.
One of the turning points of the war was in 1777, when the British surrendered at Saratoga with over 5,500 troops. After General Horatio Gates and General John Burgoyne came in conflict, but the latter understood that supplies were lackluster, they had to surrender. This battle would result in France entering the loop of the war and siding with the Americans, attacks from out of Canada would be secured and New England isolation would be all prevented because of this battle.
• New York and New Jersey Campaign common name for a series of battles between the British and Americans in the American Revolution
In 1776, before the Battle of Brandywine, in what was almost a year long siege, General George Washington and his army managed to drive the British Army out of Boston. However, General William Howe’s British Troops moved south. General Howe and General Washington’s troops met again in the Battle of Long Island. General Howe was victorious and occupied New York City. In the spring of 1777 the British controlled the cities of Quebec and New York, while the Continental Army controlled Philadelphia and Boston. The British plan was to move General Burgoyne’s troops, in Quebec, south, and General Howe’s troops north. This would give the British control of the Hudson Valley and cut New England off from the remaining colonies. The British hoped that this would destroy the American Dream of Independence. However, British Officials in London failed to give direct orders to General Howe to conduct this mission. General Howe decided to pursue his own agenda and capture the city of Philadelphia.
and link up with Burgoyne in Albany. The goal of this plan was to isolate
The Thirteen Colonies knew that a direct war with Britain would end up as a loss for the Colonies who were just developing at the time. While Britain was the strongest country at the time. Britain had the advantage in technology and stronger and more numerous men. The Colonies knew this, however, the French, angry at the loss of the French and Indian war, would be able to help defeat Britain. Since the colonies knew that France would help them in a large war, they would not be fighting alone. This would greatly improve the change of the Colonies defeating Britain in a large scale
Lefler, Hugh T., and William S. Powell. Colonial North America. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1973.
Some of the causes from the civil war were that the North was more experienced than the South, they also had more resources to fight in battle. The civil war started when Southern states seceded from the Union after the election with Abraham Lincoln. The battle of Gettysburg had a huge impact on the civil war because it was a three-day battle, making it the bloodiest battle from the American Civil War. Also, the south’s Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania enetered in late June 1863.
The Dutch settled the Hudson Valley in the early 17th century. The Hudson Valley was of great commercial and military importance during the pre-revolutionary period. During the American Revolution the Hudson was a strategic waterway and the site of many historic events, especially in the region of Newburg and West Point. Many battles were fought and many lives were changed by the Revolution in the Hudson Valley.
In general we can say that the Dutch had “some” influence when New Amsterdam was grounded. Later the Dutch came to the conclusion that the reason we established the outpost New Amsterdam, to trade and earn money, was not what we expected of it. More and more people sailed to New Amsterdam and never came back. They settled and find their way into this big and endless country. Later the Dutch lost New Amsterdam to the English and they give it his new name “New York”. The bond with the Dutch and the America of today is still very good. In these day’s there is still some sort of understanding between the two countries, is this a leftover from history?
Great Britain emerged from the Treaty of Paris triumphant; France had been chased out of most of North America and Britain had won control of the eastern third of the continent. However, while the war was a military success, its effects caused trouble for Britain and its American colonies. The war had altered the political and economic landscape, and the changes opened an ideological divide between the two peoples that caused the Colonists to question their ties to Britain. So while the French and Indian War was a success militarily for Great Britain, it brought about the beginnings of the American Revolution.
From 1754 to 1763, the French and Indian War took place. This war altered the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies. It was the last of four North American wars waged from 1689 to 1763 between the British and the French. In these struggles, each country fought for control of the continent with the assistance of Native American and colonial allies. The French and Indian War occurred to end the land dispute between the British and French. Whoever won, in reality, gained an empire. It was a determined and eventually successful attempt by the British to get a dominant position in North America, the West Indies, and the subcontinent of India. Although Britain had won all this land, political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies were totally annihilated.
The Seven Years War had a huge impact on the help the Americans received from the French. As a result of French resentment for the British after the war, the French were eager to help the war effort in supplying the Continental Army with troops, firearms, and generous financial support. The Americans were also at an advantage because of the familiar soil they were fighting on. They knew their way around the battlegrounds and used skillful location tactics to outmaneuver the British army. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the help of America’s tough, experienced war generals. George Washington, commander in chief, played a huge role in American victory in the Revolutionary War. He led his generals with a natural leading ability, and he provided his skillful tactics and adequate resources to lead his men to victory on the battlefield. However, the biggest influence that pushed
In the Battle of Saratoga Horatio Gates along with Benedict Arnold defeated John Burgoyne. Arnold and Gates erected formidable defenses immediately South of Stillwater and then forced the British Army to surrender. This defeat revealed the failure of British strategy. This victory also helped convince France that it could safely enter the war on the American side.
The French and Indian War or the Seven Years War was one of the major events that led to the American Revolution. The French and Indian War started in 1754 when George Washington and General Edward Braddock tried to defend the British land that they felt the French were taking with their expansion into the Ohio River valley. In 1755 Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts had many French settlers in the Nova Scotia region moved from that region to avoid any confrontation if these settlers sided with their home country. These people were exiled from their home and moved into British colonies in a very cruel and violent fashion. This is one of the first examples of Britain’s oppressive nature towards people they consider a threat to what they feel is the best solution. The British military effort, at this time, was not as impassioned or successful. Both George Washington and General Braddock suffered major defeats at the hands of the French and their allies, General Braddock was even killed in one of the early battles before this war was officially started. It was not until later in the war that the British were able to successfully defeat the French. The war officially began in 1756 and ended in 1763 but this war is far less important than the major event it caused. More than anything this war was the first step to the American Revolution.
Turning points in history can mean a change in the way the things are done in the past, sometimes for the better, and other times for the worse. Two notable turning points in history were the Industrial Revolution and also World War I. These both had some political, social and cultural impacts.