The Prelude to War
The last war, The War
of Austrian Succession ( known in America as King George’s War ) began in 1740 and
ended with The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. France fared quite well at the signing,
as she was restored all the possessions lost in North America. Most importantly of all,
the Fleur-de-lis again flew over the massive stone ramparts of Fortress Louisbourg. Once
again the French shipping held the complete control of Lake Ontario. Consequently, France
could choose the point of attack.
Both Kingdoms, England
and France seems to have only considered the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle as hardly more than
a truce. While both sides observed the formal show of peace, both prepared for the next
conflict. In their struggle for Empire, the lives of the Native Americans mattered little.
What mattered was the dominance of what would prove to be half the western hemisphere.