Summary Of 'Class And The Common Soldier In The Seven Years' War

The Summary of “Class and the Common Soldier in the Seven Years’ War”

In the 17th century, before the Seven Years’ War, the common soldier was just an unpaid citizen who fought for the local militia with his own weapon, but the Seven Years’ War totally changed in military system. The Seven Years’ War was very significant because it forced all of the European countries to focus less on commerce and more territory. This new shift in focus is what caused Britain to send so many more troops to America; the British politicians believed it was vital to militarize their colonies like America, West Africa, and Asia. This is because they believed that soldiers could acquire and defend new territories, as well as build important structures as a cheap labor force. With the need for more soldiers in North America, the British sought new ways of recruiting people and funding their armies.

The most common form of recruits were artisans and craftsmen like carpenters, tailors, and shoemakers; these craftsmen often volunteered the military because they lost their jobs in the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War. Recruitment was the most popular and acceptable way of getting new soldiers. However, sometimes local government officials would force convicted men to join the army, also called “impressment.” America recruited soldiers into its armies the same way. Colonialists more often chose to fight for the colonial armies over the British armies because the colonies paid more and required less time from their soldiers. Sometimes, the military recruited indentured servants, willingly or not, into their ranks. This made the slaves’ masters angry, and there was much argument over the unlawful taking of servants. The growing of the army and the military’s role in employing citizens created the foundation of American