Review of Howard J. Peckham's

(Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press, 1964)

For most, the history of the United States begins with the American Revolution. But, what led up to that momentous decision to separate from Great Britain? From where did our Founding Fathers gather the confidence and strength to manage such a feat? In his book, The Colonial Wars: 1689-1762, Howard H. Peckham takes the reader through a timeline of the four great Colonial Wars and their battles, their heroes and their forgotten influence on American history. The militaristic and psychological changes the American colonists underwent gave the nation the self-reliance to revolt against the crown.

Peckham begins by pointing out the fact that, for over eight decades, up until the beginning of King William’s War in 1689, early American military history was limited to defense against the Indians. The colonists had to adjust to the stealthy hit and run, guerilla-type warfare common to the Indians. This frontier method of combat would be an advantage to the American colonists in this and future wars, including the Revolutionary War, for they would fight the French and their Indian allies within the same “se

a of trees” they had fought their previous Indian aggressors. The American fighting style within the thick forest and on the rough terrain was a dramatic departure from the gentlemanly way of war typical of the British on the flat, empty European battlegrounds. When a militia was formed at the onset of King William’s War, American colonists were able to demonstrate their fighting abilities against the French and their Abenaki Indian allies.

The lessons learned from the Colonial Wars would resonate throughout the colonies and help them to eventually revolt from the crown. From the fighting tactics learned from the early Indian battles and to the many triumphs of the colonial militias, the lessons gathered from the Colonial Wars proved vital in the Revolutionary Wars. The consistent unwillingness of the crown to provide any return for allegiance created a tear in the “fabric of empire” too large to contain and the colonies used the confidence and strength gained to separate. While disunity was prevalent for the common defense of the colonies during the wars, they came together for the common good of the nation when they could no longer tolerate the British rule. Peckham effectively identifies the key moments during the Colonial Wars that brought about these changes within the American Colonies. He does so in a concise yet enlightening manner that does not overwhelm the reader with useless information. This book sheds light on well forgotten moments in American history, moments that were crucial to the triumph of the Revolution.

The peace following King William’s War was short-lived as Louis XIV sought to quench his thirst for expansion and power. The catalyst for another war emerged in Europe again as a dispute erupted over the right of succession for the Spanish throne. Louis XIV violated the late Charles II’s wishes for France and Spain to remain under separate rule by announcing Philip’s right of succession to the French throne. The War of Spanish Succession, also known as Queen Anne’s War, began on May 4, 1702.

The last of the Colonial Wars, the French and Indian War, marked the emergence of Britain as the most powerful nation in the world. According to Peckham, this outcome would not have been possible without the British realizing the abilities of the American military. The author states that William Pitt “found commanders who could use the preponderant strength of the English in America.” Military collaboration was important as the Royal Navy blockaded the French from helping its colonies.

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Some topics in this essay:
William’s War, Colonial Wars, France England, Britain Peckham, Port Royal, Revolutionary Wars, Treaty Ryswick, French Indian, Maine Plymouth, St Lawrence, colonial wars, king william’s war, william’s war, port royal, king william’s, american military, george’s war, king george’s, american colonies, american colonists, cooperation colonies, king george’s war, queen anne’s war, onset king william’s, colonial wars 1689-1762,