This is merely a rough draft. Nothing serious – yet. And I am aware of the glaring errors in understanding the American Revolution, but it does define the concepts of this thread…
Also posted in the Northwest Territory remain British thread here
1776-1783: American War of Independence fought between the Thirteen American colonies and Great Britain. Although the war lasts seven years, the American colonies, with assistance from France, Spain and the Dutch succeed in hammering down the British, but only after considerable sacrifice on the Americans part.
1778:
POD: In an attempt to neutralize the British alliance and influence among the Native American tribes the Americans, commanded by Colonel George Rogers Clark, invade the Ohio and Illinois Countries. The colonel succeeds in taking several British forts in southern Ohio, but in his attempts to take the forts in Illinois he is repulsed as the forts there have been reinforced by British and French-Canadian militia. Nevertheless Clark succeeds in capturing Fort Sackville. Henry Hamilton, the British General of Detroit upon hearing of Fort Sackville’s capture assumes command of a token force to retake the fort. He unfortunately has to march 600 miles from Detroit to Fort Sackville, which leaves his flanks and rear exposed allowing a flow of American militia to settle in the north-eastern Ohio regions. Hamilton nevertheless succeeds in recruiting some few hundred Native American allies on his march, and recaptures the fort.
Colonel Clark, upon hearing the forts capture returns with his own force of American militia, mixed with few regulars and some few American natives. Yet his attempt to assault the fort only ends in disaster, as the fort had been strengthened by significant reinforcements. This results in Colonel Clark’s death and the American militia retreats back across the Ohio river into Kentucky. [1]
For the remainder of the war the British and their Indian allies would control the southern Ohio regions, including Illinois country, fortifying it and ensuring that the Americans would not mount another significant attack on the region.
1783: Treaty of Paris.
The aim of the Treaty of Paris was to create the territorial spheres of influence between the Colonials and the British. Although most of the articles had been agreed upon, the British insisted that the Ohio River would become their most southern border. The colonials though would hear none of this, pertaining that the British had foregone their right to claims on the land the moment they surrendered all territory which was encompassed within the United States – that of the Thirteen Colonies. The British diplomats merely retorted that the Northwest Territory was never apart of the Thirteen Colonies, but was acquiesced as apart of Quebec. This only served to rifle up indignation among their American counterparts who threatened a resumption of hostilities and probable conquest of the territory, knowing full well that the British feared a return to war against the combined might of France, Spain, Holland and the former colonies.
Between the three American negotiators, it is Benjamin Franklin who stood out far beyond his companions. Although John Jay and John Adams were crucial to creating the boundaries of the future United States, and would be just as significant in the future, it was Franklin who would be remembered as the architect.
It was rumored that during the negotiations that Franklin took the British diplomat, David Hartley off alone to the side of the room and placed before him a deal - that the British and Americans would divide the Northwest Territory between them. Supposedly Franklin demanded half, but Hartley refused that, apparently in order to no appear ‘too generous’, and to also curry favor with his constituents. Yet he agreed to take the offer to the King. Needless to say the British diplomat would return later that night as the three diplomats were preparing for bed. The terms were agreed upon. The eastern portions of the Northwest Territory would be given to the Americans, but the western districts would be forfeited to the Native tribes of the area – with British supervision and protection – naturally. Jay and Adams were prepared to protest, but were silenced by Franklin, who agreed. When asked later why he agreed to such a proposal, Franklin is said to have replied that “Common sense sometimes prevails over all other necessities”, and that, even in due time, he knew the Americans would fight over the lost territory…
1783-1790:
Thousands of loyalists flee the newly independent colonies. Most of those from New York to Massachusetts would immigrate north into Canada, whereas those loyalists in the southern states would immigrate mostly to the Illinois regions. Many others would either return to Britain or flee into the Caribbean islands.
Indian Territory could also be created earlier if necessary out of Illinois country, under British protection, which is obvious by immigration from the colonies/United States
1783-1789
Here I am having a bit of difficulty, but I am actually wondering if the Articles of Confederation or constitution of OTL would follow the same route, or if there would be a stronger central/federal government practically earlier.
As in the constitutional convention happens earlier and George Washington is inaugurated a couple of years earlier, perhaps 1785, mostly out of fear of the British surrounding them.
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[1]. In OTL. Colonel Clark captured Henry Hamilton on his return and ensured the territory for the United Stares.
Also posted in the Northwest Territory remain British thread here
1776-1783: American War of Independence fought between the Thirteen American colonies and Great Britain. Although the war lasts seven years, the American colonies, with assistance from France, Spain and the Dutch succeed in hammering down the British, but only after considerable sacrifice on the Americans part.
1778:
POD: In an attempt to neutralize the British alliance and influence among the Native American tribes the Americans, commanded by Colonel George Rogers Clark, invade the Ohio and Illinois Countries. The colonel succeeds in taking several British forts in southern Ohio, but in his attempts to take the forts in Illinois he is repulsed as the forts there have been reinforced by British and French-Canadian militia. Nevertheless Clark succeeds in capturing Fort Sackville. Henry Hamilton, the British General of Detroit upon hearing of Fort Sackville’s capture assumes command of a token force to retake the fort. He unfortunately has to march 600 miles from Detroit to Fort Sackville, which leaves his flanks and rear exposed allowing a flow of American militia to settle in the north-eastern Ohio regions. Hamilton nevertheless succeeds in recruiting some few hundred Native American allies on his march, and recaptures the fort.
Colonel Clark, upon hearing the forts capture returns with his own force of American militia, mixed with few regulars and some few American natives. Yet his attempt to assault the fort only ends in disaster, as the fort had been strengthened by significant reinforcements. This results in Colonel Clark’s death and the American militia retreats back across the Ohio river into Kentucky. [1]
For the remainder of the war the British and their Indian allies would control the southern Ohio regions, including Illinois country, fortifying it and ensuring that the Americans would not mount another significant attack on the region.
1783: Treaty of Paris.
The aim of the Treaty of Paris was to create the territorial spheres of influence between the Colonials and the British. Although most of the articles had been agreed upon, the British insisted that the Ohio River would become their most southern border. The colonials though would hear none of this, pertaining that the British had foregone their right to claims on the land the moment they surrendered all territory which was encompassed within the United States – that of the Thirteen Colonies. The British diplomats merely retorted that the Northwest Territory was never apart of the Thirteen Colonies, but was acquiesced as apart of Quebec. This only served to rifle up indignation among their American counterparts who threatened a resumption of hostilities and probable conquest of the territory, knowing full well that the British feared a return to war against the combined might of France, Spain, Holland and the former colonies.
Between the three American negotiators, it is Benjamin Franklin who stood out far beyond his companions. Although John Jay and John Adams were crucial to creating the boundaries of the future United States, and would be just as significant in the future, it was Franklin who would be remembered as the architect.
It was rumored that during the negotiations that Franklin took the British diplomat, David Hartley off alone to the side of the room and placed before him a deal - that the British and Americans would divide the Northwest Territory between them. Supposedly Franklin demanded half, but Hartley refused that, apparently in order to no appear ‘too generous’, and to also curry favor with his constituents. Yet he agreed to take the offer to the King. Needless to say the British diplomat would return later that night as the three diplomats were preparing for bed. The terms were agreed upon. The eastern portions of the Northwest Territory would be given to the Americans, but the western districts would be forfeited to the Native tribes of the area – with British supervision and protection – naturally. Jay and Adams were prepared to protest, but were silenced by Franklin, who agreed. When asked later why he agreed to such a proposal, Franklin is said to have replied that “Common sense sometimes prevails over all other necessities”, and that, even in due time, he knew the Americans would fight over the lost territory…
1783-1790:
Thousands of loyalists flee the newly independent colonies. Most of those from New York to Massachusetts would immigrate north into Canada, whereas those loyalists in the southern states would immigrate mostly to the Illinois regions. Many others would either return to Britain or flee into the Caribbean islands.
Indian Territory could also be created earlier if necessary out of Illinois country, under British protection, which is obvious by immigration from the colonies/United States
1783-1789
Here I am having a bit of difficulty, but I am actually wondering if the Articles of Confederation or constitution of OTL would follow the same route, or if there would be a stronger central/federal government practically earlier.
As in the constitutional convention happens earlier and George Washington is inaugurated a couple of years earlier, perhaps 1785, mostly out of fear of the British surrounding them.
----
[1]. In OTL. Colonel Clark captured Henry Hamilton on his return and ensured the territory for the United Stares.
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