European Countries Intervening and Escalating Already Existing Land Disputes and Issues in Population

DBQ AP WORLD

Analyze connections between regional issues and European struggles for global power in the mid-eighteenth century. Identify an additional type of document and explain how it would help your analysis of these connections.

Additional Type of Document: A document talking about European countries intervening and escalating already existing land disputes and issues in population. Such an example would be the Mohawk siding with the British, while the Huron sided with the French. Another additional type of document I would like to see is one that does not explicitly mention the British.

        In the mid-eighteenth century, ca. 1750 CE, European struggles for global power correlated with regional issues. European nations clashed with their colonies, other european nations, and the elite merchant class.

        European nations struggled to maintain and achieve global power, reflected in clashes and struggles with their colonies. Firstly, in their quest for dominance, struggles with indigenous peoples occurred. The formation of native alliances, working with other European nations, created opposition, and creating obstacles in the path towards European dominance. For example, many Native American tribes banded together to oppose the British. In fact, many sided with another European power, France to fight against them. In document 2 (A speech by Kisensik, Nipissing Chief), the natives prove themselves more than willing to ally themselves with the french, who have been diplomatic in their approach. The fact that these natives are Catholic, rather than Anglican, shows that the french were more effective in allying with and converting Indians. Possibly, Kisensik believed he owed an allegiance to France, and sided with them because of this. However, the more likely solution is that this alliance was a result of continual anti-British sentiment, created through failed diplomatic efforts by the crown. This led to a native population clashing with, and ultimately advocating for the destruction of, the British. In the words of Pontiac a Huron Chief, “We must exterminate the British from our lands”.(Doc 7) While the French have sympathized with the natives, the British have laughed at their pain, so to speak. This alliance, and constant struggles with the people of the colonies hindered  European countries such as England in their quest for power. Secondly, European countries clashed with colonies in political aspects. For example, when Great Britain defeated the Mughal in the Indian subcontinent, they made Mir Jafar, a defecting general, the viceroy. (Doc 1) This led to backlash from colonies because the colonies were obviously unlikely to embrace this “traitor” with open arms. So, once again, in the quest for European dominance, silly mistakes were made, and the indigenous people of the world were overlooked.

        Regional conflicts in Europe itself also hindered the quest for European dominance. In document 3 (letter from Maria Theresa) shows the constant struggle and balance of power Europe went through. This letter shows the alliances and peace that were sought out in Europe: Austria here was looking to landlock King Frederick of Prussia and maintain the balance of power in Europe. This made it harder for one country to gain power over any of the other countries, as other European nations would simply band together to oppose the other. In document 4, we also see the struggles of relying on such alliances. King Frederick is relying on Ottoman’s for help, but it is clear that such aid is not coming soon. Frederick understands that if the Ottoman Empire does not help, peace will be achieved in ways that are not beneficial to Prussia. Such scenarios put countries that were trying to achieve global dominance at a disadvantage, because it create a dilemma in which countries could neither seek out war (without breaking peace treaties and alliances) nor take on power. This lead to many struggles. In addition, conflict between European countries arose. Document 5 (terms of surrender by the French in the Caribbean) show the problems with keeping conquered peoples in line in this case diplomatically. The terms call for French subjects to now be loyal to British, and to prevent them from Rebelling against the crown. However, the subjects do little more than this. This allows for a smooth transition between French and British rule, rather than creating a cultural clash between the two groups. By agreeing to these terms, the British are keeping the people satisfied, and allowing for them to continue on their quest for global domination.