Program 1 - Wars for the Continent At the start of the 18th-century two factors shaped the colonial approach to war. First, early colonists found themselves isolated in hostile territory. If they were going to survive attacks from local tribes they would have to do it on their wn. There would be no help from the mother country. So they had to develop unique tactics and strategies similar to the native populations they were fighting. It was the beginning of the self-reliant character that would define Americans. Second, the colonists participated in the dramatic change taking place in European weaponry that came with the introduction of gunpowder. Muskets, pistols and cannons replaced swords and other cutting edge weapons. However, the isolation from Europe ended when the four powers- the French, the English, the Spanish and the Native Americans- vied for control of the North American continent. 1702 Queen Anne's War 1713 Treaty of Utrecht Ends Queen Anne's War 1739 War of Jenkins Ear Begins 1754 - 1763 French and Indian War 1763 Pontiac's War 1770 Boston Massacre Program Two - The Revolutionary War The American colonists, having rid themselves of the French and the Native Americans, found a new threat: their own mother country, Britain. The Boston Massacre, followed by the Boston tea Party were the beginnings of a rebellion. Britain, with more than 3000 troops in Massachusetts colony, moved rapidly to put the rebellion down. Its strategy was to capture the leaders and munitions in the rebel center of Concord Massachusetts. This action led directly to the first battle of the Revolutionary War.... One in which the colonists quickly learned that their militia units could not stand up to the European style of fighting. Rather than fighting rows of soldiers against rows of soldiers, the colonists adopted the Native American strategy of fighting from concealment. Let's look at how "the shot heard around the world" started the American Revolution 1775 - The Battle of Lexington and Concord 1775 - George Washington Assumes Command of The Continental Army 1776 - Washington crosses the Delaware 1777 - Second Battle of Saratoga 1777- John Paul Jones sets Sail 1777-78 - The Winter at Valley Forge 1778 - George Rogers Clark captures Kaskaskia 1781 - Siege of Yorktown