BACKGROUND - KING GEORGE'S WAR

King George's War, also known as the War for Austrian Succession, was the third installment of the wars between France and England (It was preceded by King William's War, 1689-97 and Queen Anne's War, 1701-13). King George's War lasted from 1744-1748 and was seen as a forerunner for the start of the French and Indian War in America in 1754. Similar to what the French and Indian War was to the American Revolution; King George's War gave birth to some of the ideas and animosities that carried over between the British and French during the F&IW.

The tensions between the two great nations erupted once again in Europe in 1740 with the death of Archduke Charles IV of Austria and the succession by his daughter Maria Theresa. When Austria was invaded by King Frederick II of Prussia , England and France , once again, found themselves on opposites sides of the conflict. The fighting in Europe managed to make its way to the French and English colonies in America causing tensions to overflow and eventually violence erupted.

The major French stronghold, Fort Louisbourg , in Nova Scotia was captured by the English and the town of Saratoga was burned by French and Indian forces. Eventually the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed October 18, 1748 ending the war in the American colonies and restoring order. Nonetheless, the seeds for more angst between France and Britain had been sewn.