The Political History of the United States 3.23 The War of Austrian Succession
Feb 21, 2022
Colonial ambitions flare up as New England targets French Canada. The War of Austrian Succession sets the stage for military alliances, with Britain aligning against France and Spain. Tensions escalate after French raids on British towns, prompting a strategic focus on Louisbourg. With 3,000 troops gathered, the British implement a blockade and artillery strategy. After intense battles and heavy losses, Louisbourg falls, igniting celebrations and questions about future invasions. The fallout leads to colonial resentment as France stages a comeback, setting a complex backdrop for further conflicts.
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Succession Crisis Escalates Into Continental War
- The death of Charles VI triggered a European succession crisis that drew in all major powers and reshaped alliances.
- Britain sided with Austria while France allied with Spain and German states, expanding the war's scope beyond Jenkins' Ear.
French Promises Never Reach Southern Theaters
- France promised Spain help recovering lost territories and to evict the British from Georgia, but those promises never materialized in North America.
- That gave New England colonists freedom to focus on northern offensives against French Canada.
Surprise Raid Before War News Arrives
- A small French raid on a New England fishing town preceded official declarations of war and shocked colonists unaware of hostilities.
- The raid reached New England before formal war news arrived, sparking immediate colonial mobilization.