King George's War (War of Austrian Succession)

Question 1

What years did the War of Austrian succession span?

Answer 1

1744 - 1748

Question 2

Summary of the events in the War of Austrian succession

Answer 2

• The French heard about the European conflict first and immediately began hostilities
• When the British forces went on attack, they labelled Louisburg as their key target
  (Louisburg guarded the mouth to the St Lawrence river - trading route)
• In 1745, the gov of Massachusetts , William Shirley organised an expedition against Louisburg - siege lasted 6 weeks and Louisburg was captured 1745
• French and Native American forces retaliated by destroying Saratoga and British settlers then abandoned all settlements north of Albany
• Treaty ended with Treaty of Ais-la-Chapelle 1748

Question 3

What happened in the treaty of aix-la-chappelle?

Answer 3

• Louisburg returned to France in exchange for Madras in India

Question 4

What reaction did the treaty of aix-la-chapelle evoke?

Answer 4

• New England colonists outraged - because their great military success had been so quickly abandoned by Britain - but Britain did eventually acknowledge Massachusetts’s effort with a payment of £180,000

Question 5

Why was the War of Austrian succession a failure for the colonies?

Answer 5

• Lack of British support: troops from British metropole were stretched thin due to its simultaneous involvement within the European sphere of conflict, so the conflict was therefore handled mainly by colonial militia
• French alliances: Native American allies = highly skilled in guerilla warfare + knowledge of the terrain (eg. Saratoga destruction Nov 1745) French were allied with Wabanaki confederation
• Lack of colonial unity: colonies offering varying levels of commitment (eg. Pennslyvania offering limited funds vs Massachusetts who lost 8% of adult male population) + discrepencies in militia standards + weak leadership

Question 6

What lessons were learnt from the war of Austrian succession for the British?

Answer 6

• Need direct British support
• need construction of forts to defend colonial territory
• need native American alliances
• colonial unity with creating a united approach
• need financial support from Britain - especially to motivate contribution from territories like Virginia who are not near the active conflict sites