Native American Relations during the Seven Years War

The Seven Years War was the first international conflict dealing with all major world powers. The majority of the issue was due to “real estate” speculation and territories surrounding the Ohio Valley (Ohio Valley, 156). Native American’s used furs and traded goods to play each power against each other ultimately resulting in war. The powers that were involved in the war fought for the support of the Native Americans in order to gain favorable lands and goods and the upper hand above the other powers. Ultimately, Native Americans were the most influential power during the war, and the relations held with them not only had affect during the war, but also had influence and led to post war struggles.
As the war was under the works of being officially initiated, the strengths and weaknesses of the powers were under scrutiny in deciding whether they should participate. The powers at hand had to decided whether the lands and goods that were at stake was worth the risk of going to war. The European powers, particularly England, risked the possibility of receiving more war taxes, and losing the lands they held in North America. Looking at the sides prior to the war, “the British colonies, were militarily unprepared”, which would surface as a large problem once the opposing troops reached their lands. The French side had many reasons to hesitate, but, “above all there was the ominous fact of relative naval weakness”. Even due to these limitations, when these groups were presented with an opportunity, “to negotiate a settlements of the Ohio Valley disputes neither side would yield”. The war was inevitable, and the groups began the war in May 1756.
Of all parties involved, the Native American’s were the most influential piece during the Se...

... middle of paper ...

...eir post war situation.
The Seven Years War originally dealt with real estate and advantages in the Ohio Valley, however, it became a national war that relied on the Native Americans. The interactions that were held between powers resided based upon the interactions each had with the Natives in their region. During the beginning of the war, different powers were able to lure Native support by using goods and protection. This eventually faded off as the Native Americans sided with the French, and brutalities began occurring amongst the tribes as well. The relations held during the war with the Native American groups shaped the course of the war as well as the course after the war. The Native Americans were undoubtedly the most influential group in the Seven Years War, and the interactions held with them directly affected each world power during and after.