Sparks Commentary: How little-known European conflicts sucked in Britain’s American colonies

Note: This post covers a number of conflicts in various parts of the world. But all of them are arguably part of a larger pattern of European wars during this period. Thus, many of my other mentions of these conflicts are directed to this post, which tries to discuss these various conflicts (and sub-conflicts) in this broader colonial context.

Dutch colony of New Netherland (America), and the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars

It was only seven years after the 1607 founding of the Jamestown Settlement … that Holland created its own colony in North America. It was called “New Netherland,” and it was founded in 1614. Only six years later was the Pilgrim colony created at Plymouth Rock in 1620. French Canada had begun to fight the Beaver Wars back in 1609. These Beaver Wars would then be fought for the next 90 years or so. In 1635, the Acadian Civil War also began in French Canada. But, elsewhere in North America, the Netherlands would soon be fighting a war against the native peoples, known as “Kieft’s War.” It was fought from 1643 to 1645, in what are today the American states of New York and New Jersey. But Holland would soon be at war with a much greater threat: the mighty “English” Empire (not to be confused with its eventual successor, the “British” Empire). Thus, in 1652, the First Anglo-Dutch War began, over disputes about trade. This particular war was fought almost entirely at sea, in various bodies of water – from the English Channel to the Persian Gulf. In 1654, the war ended with the Treaty of Westminster, where the Dutch made some minor concessions to the English. The aforementioned Acadian Civil War also ended in 1654, although the aforementioned Beaver Wars continued. But, in 1665, the Second Anglo-Dutch War began. Like its predecessor, this war was fought mainly at sea. However, there was also some land fighting in West Africa, the East Indies, the Guianas, and the Caribbean. In North America, the war also involved the city of New Amsterdam surrendering to the English. Thus, in 1664, New Amsterdam was then renamed “New York City,” the name by which it is still known today. In 1667, the Second Anglo-Dutch War ended with the Treaty of Breda. Thus, the Dutch colony of New Netherland temporarily ended in 1667. However, England also ceded English Guiana, Fort Amsterdam in Ghana, and Run to the Netherlands. The stage was thus set for a rematch.

The Battle of Scheveningen – part of the First Anglo-Dutch War, 1653

The Four Days’ Battle – part of the Second Anglo-Dutch War, 1666

The Third Anglo-Dutch War, which coincides with the Franco-Dutch War

Specifically, there was soon a Third Anglo-Dutch War, which began in 1672. This also coincided with Holland’s war with France, now known as the Franco-Dutch War. Thus, England’s King Charles the Second was now allied (somewhat ironically) with France’s King Louis the Fourteenth. This was the result of a secret treaty, and would later prove somewhat unpopular in England. During this war, the Dutch colony of New Netherland was temporarily revived in 1673 – much to the annoyance of the English. Much of the war was again fought at sea, primarily in the North Sea. But some of it was also fought in St. Helena, the East Indies, and what is today India. This foreshadowed some future conflicts in India. The English soon made peace with Holland in 1674. This again ended the Dutch colony of New Netherland, this time for good. But, in 1675, the “Scanian War” began, fought in various parts of Scandinavia. This was part of the larger “Northern Wars,” and became connected with the still-ongoing Franco-Dutch War. The French eventually invaded Holland itself, forcing the Dutch to hand over a significant amount of territory. The Franco-Dutch War soon ended in 1678, and the related Scanian War soon ended in 1679. There would not be another Anglo-Dutch War until the (much later) American Revolutionary War. That is, the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War would later go from 1780 to 1784. (But that’s a story for another post.) The seventeenth century also saw various Native American wars, many of them in the colony of New England. These included the Pequot War back in 1637, King Philip’s War in 1675, and the Susquehannock War from 1675 to 1677. The colonies also had some involvement in the English Civil War, which had originated back in the British Isles. This was also connected with an Anglo-Scottish War, and the Irish Confederate Wars. (More about those here.)

Recapture of Coevorden (Netherlands, 1672) – part of the Third Anglo-Dutch War

Battle of Texel, 1673 – part of both the Franco-Dutch War and the Third Anglo-Dutch War

Nine Years’ War, with related Williamite War (Ireland) and King William’s War (America)

Back in 1672, a man named William became the “Prince of Orange” back in Holland. He is now known as “William of Orange.” In 1677, he married an English princess named Mary, who then became the Princess Consort of Orange. She was also the daughter of King James the Second of England, and was thus next in line for the English throne. Incidentally, William and Mary were first cousins, which was not uncommon for the era’s royal marriages. But, in France, King Louis the Fourteenth sought to consolidate the borders of France. This resulted in the “War of the Reunions.” This lasted from 1683 to 1684. In North America, a war later known as “King William’s War” began in April 1688. This was basically a war between the respective colonies of England and France. But back to Europe for a moment. Several nations soon became worried about the French expansionism. Thus, many of them declared war on France later in 1688. France was now facing Holland, England, Scotland, the Holy Roman Empire (a.k.a. Austria), the Spanish Empire, and the Savoyard state. France was alone against this massive alliance. Incidentally, this conflict would eventually be called the “Nine Years’ War.” Also in 1688, the “Glorious Revolution” took place in England. Among English Protestants, there was dissatisfaction with King James the Second of England, who was a Catholic. Thus, the aforementioned “William of Orange” (a Protestant) was invited to invade England, almost without a shot being fired. Thus, William now succeeded to the English throne. The man would now be known as William the Third, and he could now rule jointly with his wife – now known as Mary the Second. Thus, their joint reign is now remembered as that of “William and Mary.” But, in Ireland, Catholics had a somewhat different attitude about their new Protestant rulers. To put it bluntly, they didn’t like these rulers, because they feared that he would clamp down on Catholicism. This may be why the related “Williamite War in Ireland” then began in 1689. It was named after King William, just like the aforementioned war in North America – which would soon become known as “King William’s War.” The Williamites won the war in Ireland by 1691. Incidentally, William’s wife Mary died in 1694. William remained king of England, but Mary’s sister Anne was now next in line for the throne. But “King William’s War” (in North America) ended in 1697, as did the larger “Nine Years’ War” itself. The larger “Nine Years’ War” also involved fighting in Scotland and in mainland Europe. Indeed, most of the war’s territorial changes were back in Europe. But, elsewhere, the war also involved fighting in Asia, West Africa, and even South America.

Battle of the Boyne (Ireland, 1690) – part of the Williamite War in Ireland

Sinking of the Pélican after the Battle of Hudson’s Bay, 1697 – part of King William’s War

The War of the Spanish Succession, which involves Queen Anne’s War in North America

But back to Europe: In November 1700, King Charles the Second of Spain died childless. This ignited a struggle for the Spanish throne in March 1701. It would later become known as the “War of the Spanish Succession.” On one side was the French Bourbon monarchy, who wanted to unite Spain and France. But many others were determined to prevent this from happening. Nations soon lined up on both sides of this great conflict. Incidentally, French Canada had been fighting the Beaver Wars since 1609. These wars only ended in August of 1701. But, in March 1702, England’s widower King William died. Again, the next in line for the throne was Anne, the sister of his late wife Mary. Thus, the reign of Queen Anne soon began in March 1702. However, Queen Anne was only crowned in April of 1702. “Queen Anne’s War” also began in North America, on the day of William’s death. For England’s American colonies, “Queen Anne’s War” soon involved fighting with Spanish Florida to the south. But there was also some ferocious fighting with French Canada to the north. This eventually resulted in some of Canada being handed over to the British. Native American tribes soon lined up on both sides, but the Iroquois Confederacy remained unaffiliated with either of them. The Iroquois would fight on their own during that time. Incidentally, England and Scotland eventually united into the “Kingdom of Great Britain” in 1707. But Emperor Joseph the First died in 1711. Thus, Archduke Charles then succeeded his brother as Holy Roman Emperor. This made it possible that the Austrian Habsburgs might instead unite Spain with Austria. But, in North America, “Queen Anne’s War” soon ended in 1713. Back in Europe, this larger “War of the Spanish Succession” ended soon afterwards in 1714. The new king of Spain would now be Philip the Fifth, a grandson of King Louis the Fourteenth of France. However, Philip had been forced to renounce any claim to the throne of France, and would instead get only the throne of Spain. This was a major concession to the Austrian Habsburgs, the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. And, again, most of the territorial changes were back in Europe. Back in Britain, Queen Anne died in 1714. This ended the Stuart dynasty. Thus, George the First soon became the new king. This began the Hanoverian dynasty. There was soon an attempt to re-establish Stuart rule in Britain, called the Jacobite rising of 1715. With the native peoples of North America, there was also a Yamasee War in 1715. In North America, there would later be a conflict called Dummer’s War (also called Father Rale’s War), which went from 1722 to 1725. Incidentally, this time also saw a slave uprising in North America (called the Stono Rebellion) in 1739. Thus, many Colonial American wars occurred against the backdrop of larger conflicts back in Europe – and, in some cases, in various other parts of the world.

New French raid on Massachusetts, 1704 – part of Queen Anne’s War (in North America)

Battle of Denain (France, 1712) – part of the War of the Spanish Succession

Conclusion: European conflicts had a great effect upon Britain’s American colonies

Thus, Colonial America had been affected by the first three Anglo-Dutch Wars, the Nine Years’ War, and the War of the Spanish Succession. The Anglo-Dutch Wars had seen the fall of New Netherland in North America, and the latter two conflicts had involved “King William’s War” and “Queen Anne’s War” respectively. All of these had an effect on the British colonies in North America. The stage was thus set for an upcoming “War of the Austrian Succession” (not to be confused with the War of the Spanish Succession). This would involve some further conflicts in North America. In turn, this would set the stage for other conflicts in that century, such as the Seven Years’ War and the American Revolutionary War – which I have already covered in some other posts. I will link to these below.

“Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.”

– George Washington, in his “Farewell Address” (1796)

If you liked this post, you might also like:

Cromwell: The movie that brings the English Civil War to life

The English Empire: The predecessor of the British Empire

Piracy played a role, early in the “Second” Hundred Years’ War

The War of the Austrian Succession was fought on four different continents

A review of “The War That Made America” (the French and Indian War)

The Seven Years’ War was a massive worldwide conflict

A review of “Liberty! The American Revolution” and “The Revolution”

A review of “Rebels & Redcoats: How Britain Lost America”

The British Empire: From the Acts of Union to the Battle of Waterloo

A review of “The War of 1812” (PBS program)