Wars of the Colonies

Part five of an eight part series on the history of America from its earliest times through to the age of George Washington, told by master storyteller Jacob Abbott. Starting with a brief recapitulation of the establishment of the thirteen colonies along the Atlantic seaboard of North America, this volume then details the interactions-in war and peace-of the early European settlers with the Indians and with each other. The major early Indian wars-with the Pequot and King Philip-are discussed in fascinating detail. Included are many action-packed anecdotes of life on the frontier, the hardships of pioneer life-and duplicity and strife between Indian and European. Read also of the clashes between the English and the French in Canada and the interior, and the effect of the War of the Spanish Succession in North America. After many bloodcurdling clashes involving Indians, Europeans, and varying alliances on both sides of the racial divide, the build-up to, and the progress of, the French and Indian War is discussed. The British conquest of Canada from the French is then dealt with, ending with the deaths of both French and English commanding generals at the battle for Quebec. Finally the war with the famous Indian chief Pontiac is reviewed, along with dramatic events such as the Deerfield Massacre and the cunning strategies employed by Pontiac to exact many victories over the Europeans until his final-and inevitable-defeat.