Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 2: A disrupted society, 1742–64 - 2 War in the colonies:…
Full specification wording
Option P2: Key topic 2: A disrupted society, 1742–64 - 2 War in the colonies: Relations with the French and with Indigenous peoples during and after King George’s War (1744–48).
King George's War (1744–48) pitted British colonists against the French and their Indigenous allies.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
King George's War (1744–48) pitted British colonists against the French and their Indigenous allies. During the conflict, relations with the French were hostile, highlighted by the colonists' capture of the French fortress of Louisbourg in 1745. Relations with Indigenous peoples were complex; the Wabanaki Confederacy allied with the French to resist British expansion, while the Iroquois largely maintained neutrality. After the war, the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle returned Louisbourg to France, angering British colonists who felt their sacrifices were ignored. Post-war relations with Indigenous peoples remained tense as British settlers continued encroaching on Native lands in the Ohio Valley, setting the stage for future conflicts.
What earns the marks
- Identify the capture of Louisbourg (1745) as a key event demonstrating hostile British-French relations during the war.
- Explain that the return of Louisbourg to France in 1748 damaged relations between the British government and American colonists.
- Describe the alliances formed by Indigenous peoples, such as the Wabanaki Confederacy supporting the French.
- Analyse how post-war British expansion into the Ohio Valley worsened relations with Indigenous groups.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that all Indigenous peoples allied with the French.
Put it right: Explain that alliances varied, with the Iroquois Confederacy largely remaining neutral or leaning British.
Confusing King George's War with the later French and Indian War.
Put it right: Ensure events like the capture and return of Louisbourg are specifically attributed to the 1744-48 conflict.
Claiming the war resolved territorial disputes.
Put it right: Note that the 1748 treaty restored the pre-war status quo, leaving underlying tensions unresolved.
Exam tips
- Use the return of Louisbourg as a specific example of early colonial frustration with British imperial policy.
- When discussing Indigenous relations, name specific groups like the Iroquois or Wabanaki to demonstrate precise knowledge.
- Link the unresolved tensions after 1748 directly to the outbreak of the French and Indian War a few years later.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P2: Key topic 2: A disrupted society, 1742–64 - 2 War in the colonies: Relations with the French and with Indigenous peoples during and after King George’s War (1744–48). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which fortress did American colonists capture from the French during King George's War, only for it to be returned in 1748?
Listen
King George's War (1744–48) pitted British colonists against the French and their Indigenous allies. During the conflict, relations with the French were hostile, highlighted by the colonists' capture of the French fortress of Louisbourg in 1745. Relations with Indigenous peoples were complex; the Wabanaki Confederacy allied with the French to resist British expansion, while the Iroquois largely maintained neutrality. After the war, the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle returned Louisbourg to France, angering British colonists who felt their sacrifices were ignored. Post-war relations with Indigenous peoples remained tense as British settlers continued encroaching on Native lands in the Ohio Valley, setting the stage for future conflicts. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the capture of Louisbourg (1745) as a key event demonstrating hostile British-French relations during the war. Explain that the return of Louisbourg to France in 1748 damaged relations between the British government and American colonists. Describe the alliances formed by Indigenous peoples, such as the Wabanaki Confederacy supporting the French. Analyse how post-war British expansion into the Ohio Valley worsened relations with Indigenous groups. A common slip: Stating that all Indigenous peoples allied with the French. Instead, explain that alliances varied, with the Iroquois Confederacy largely remaining neutral or leaning British. Exam tip: Use the return of Louisbourg as a specific example of early colonial frustration with British imperial policy.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. King George's War began
- 2. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle returned Louisbourg to France
- 3. Colonists captured the French fortress of Louisbourg
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Imperial rivalry
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Indigenous alliances
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Colonial resentment
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Territorial expansion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Imperial rivalry
- Hostility between British colonists and the French during King George's War, highlighted by the colonists' capture of the French fortress of Louisbourg in 1745.
- Indigenous alliances
- The Wabanaki Confederacy allied with the French to resist British expansion, while the Iroquois largely maintained neutrality.
- Colonial resentment
- British colonists were angered when the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle returned Louisbourg to France, feeling their sacrifices were ignored.
- Territorial expansion
- After the war, British settlers continued encroaching on Native lands in the Ohio Valley, keeping relations with Indigenous peoples tense.
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