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1e - why were the British ultimately successful in their conflict with the…
1e - why were the British ultimately successful in their conflict with the French (1740-1763)
later successes (1756-60)
Finance
Prussia paid to tie down French forces in Europe
Money made available for British strategy to succeed
Parliamentary system made it easier to secure loans and raise taxes
The Royal Navy
British control of the Atlantic made it difficult for French forces to be resupplied
Won the significant victory at Quiberon Bay
Resupplied British forces and supported land operations eg at Quebec
Colonial support
Reversal of ranking policy
Financial commitments to colonial assemblies
Colonial troops freed up British soldiers for frontline duty
Native American support
Britain cultivated Native friendships
As British successes increased many tribes switched sides
The French found it increasingly difficult to provide goods to secure their support
French weaknesses
Found it increasingly difficult to maintain an army in the field
Colonists were small in number and economically reliant on France
Poor harvests in 1756 and 1757
William Pitt
His global strategy prioritised the American theatre
Committed 25,000 troops and aggressive commanders to the conflict
Promoted the conflict as a shared endeavour with the colonies
United Britain behind the war
Initial failures (1740-56)
The nature of the conflict
No set-piece battles
Britain was unaccustomed to fighting a guerrilla war
the French had better knowledge of the backcountry terrain
Colonial militias
Poorly trained and equipped
Unwilling participants
Poor relationship with the British
Poor leadership
Antagonistic towards colonial forces
Limited understanding of the nature of the conflict
Little appreciation of Native American support for the French
British policy
Reliant on ill-prepared militia
Few British troops in the colonies
Salutary Neglect meant limited support from Britain
Military weakness
Few reinforcements or supplies sent from Britain
Spread across the colonies, on guard duty, port duty and supporting governors
Fewer than 4000 British soldiers in America
Native American support for the French
Many colonists feared Native Americans
Support won through rewards and positive attitudes
Local knowledge of the backcountry gave them an advantage over the British