Unit 1
New France and British North America
Lesson 8
Treaty of Utrecht - Review
Borders within countries and between countries are not always permanent. The 1700s were a time when the borders in North America were constantly changing.
In 1700, the King of Spain, Charles II, died without an heir to take over his throne. France took this opportunity to try to seize Spain and its territories. This started the War of the Spanish Succession in Europe. The United Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as Britain, formed in 1707 when England and Scotland united. It was ruled by Queen Anne, and joined many European countries in fighting against France. Peace talks followed the war and led to the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. A treaty is a formal agreement between countries, often signed to end a war. A treaty may also define borders and identify the ownership of different pieces of land. France was forced to give up some of its territory as part of the terms of the treaty.
French and British colonies in North America had little to do with the war in Europe. However, the treaty had consequences for North America.
Take a moment to review the four concessions (from last lesson)
Compare the Before and After Maps
This map shows European territories in North America in 1713, before the Treaty of Utrecht. Analyze:
This map shows the North American territories claimed by European countries after the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht.
The area that is now New Brunswick was once a French colony. It was known as Acadia, which included parts of present-day Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The Treaty of Utrecht handed this area over to the British, eventually leading to English settlement in the region.
After British Queen Anne, French King Louis XIV, and the other European leaders agreed to the Treaty of Utrecht, the terms of the treaty had to be carried out. The first step was to create new maps of North America showing the new boundaries. The French had agreed to give the British large amounts of land, including Newfoundland and parts of Acadia.
Questions
1) What did the loss of this land mean to France?
2) Despite the treaty, some land was still considered disputed territory. Where do you see disputed territories after the treaty was signed?
3) Look again at the maps. Both of these maps show disputed territory. Why would the French and the British argue over the ownership of land after they had signed a peace treaty?
European Exploration
Another reason why some land remained in dispute after the treaty was that the French and the British did not know exactly what land they were claiming. It took a lot of work for Europeans to explore and map out North America. By 1713, only some of this work was done. There were vast amounts of land that no European had ever seen. As explorers discovered more of North America after 1713, this created more disputes over territory.
European and First Nations Relations
Europeans negotiated and signed the Treaty of Utrecht. They did not consult First Nations about their claims to the land or about the terms of the treaty. However, part of the treaty, such as section XV, referred to First Nations. Read that section of the treaty below.
XV: The subjects of France inhabiting Canada, and others, shall hereafter give no hinderance or molestation to the ... [First Nations], subject to the Dominion of Great Britain, nor to the other natives of America, who are friends to the same. In like manner, the subjects of Great Britain shall behave themselves peaceably towards the Americans who are subjects or friends to France [including First Nations]; and on both sides, they shall enjoy full liberty of going and coming on account of trade ...
1) What was the relationship between First Nations and Europeans supposed to be like, according to this section of the treaty?
2) Why was it important for the French and the British to have peace with each other and with First Nations?
Trading Relationships
The treaty had been signed, and it was considered by some to be a time of peace among the French, British, and First Nations. However, the French and the British were back in competition for the fur trade.
The British wanted to strengthen trading relationships with some First Nations peoples after the Treaty of Utrecht. Many First Nations peoples believed that trading with the British would benefit their people. This belief led to the expansion of trading relationships between First Nations and the British.
Claiming First Nations Land
As Europeans settled the east coast of North America during the 1600s and 1700s, they forced many First Nations people from their homes. Europeans, including the British, also killed First Nations people or sold them into slavery.
Now that the treaty had given the British control of the East Coast, the British wanted First Nations land that was in this area. Nation by nation, the First Nations of the East Coast were either chased away or killed by British settlers who were seeking land.
This 1732 painting by an unknown artist is entitled Slave of Fox Indians. This young First Nations man was sold as a slave in North America.
Reflection Questions
1) In your own words, what changed after the Treaty of Utrecht for the French, the British, and First Nations? What stayed the same?
2) What is a treaty, and how is it a kind of legal contract?
3) How could the Treaty of Utrecht have been negotiated and written differently in order to create stronger relationships among the different groups in North America?