Page "Nine Years' War" Paragraph 66

The European war was reflected in North America, where it was known as King William's War, though the North American contest was very different in meaning and scale.

The European war declaration arrived amid long-running tensions over control of the fur trade, economically vital to both French and English colonies, and influence over the Iroquois, who controlled much of that trade.

The French were determined to hold the St. Lawrence country and to extend their power over the vast basin of the Mississippi.

Moreover, Hudson Bay was a focal point of dispute between the Protestant English and Catholic French colonists, both of whom claiming a share of its occupation and trade.

Although important to the colonists the North American theatre of the Nine Years ' War was of secondary importance to European statesmen.

Despite numerical superiority, the English colonists suffered repeated defeats as New France effectively organised its French troops, New France militia and Indian allies ( notably the Algonquins and Abenakis ), to attack frontier settlements.

Almost all resources sent to the colonies by England were to defend the English West Indies, the crown jewels of the empire.