George Washington, Ft. Necessity & Braddock's Defeat | Mapping History | Colonial America | colonies

This is the most complete account of Wahington's early military career that I have ever read, or seen. Not surprising because I am not a professional historian, but I am 75 years old, and deeply appreciate this work.

I've lived in Washington PA for 72 years and this is the first time I've seen the facts of these battles fought so close to my home explained so well. Thanks so much.

I learned more in your videos about this period of our history than I ever learned in school. Thank you.

I love this video. My 8x Great Grandfather was the Surveyor and Cartographer Lewis Evans, who came to America from Wales in 1736 to work for Benjamin Franklin at the Franklin Print Shop in Philadelphia. During that time, they collaborated in making a map of the Middle British Colonies that was completed in 1755. That map was used during the resolution of the French and Indian War. I have often wondered how all of this came about, what took place, and who was involved, as my ancestor was traveling that area on horseback and mapping out the land. You have done a superb job of describing the entire event and showing the what, who, and where of it. Thank you so very much for taking me there with this excellent description, maps, and pictures. Very well done, Sir! ~ Jeannie Clifton, Savannah, GA

This is the best account of Braddock's defeat I have seen. My wife is from Pittsburgh and I am from Ohio and we are both fascinated with this era. Well done!

Even reading Washington biographies, I didn’t understand that he must have lived and breathed (and cursed) that river fork non-stop for 5 years. He really seems to have been divinely protected from harm in battle! Thanks for this expanded view.

Extremely well done. This part of Washington's life is only briefly mentioned with little detail in most history taught in public schools. One could only wish that all teachers could be as interesting and thorough as you. Maybe our kids would actually pay attention.

Absolutely fabulous. Refreshing to see such proud, honest and accurate rendering of American history. Bravo.

Thanks a lot for the detailed accounts of the events. This is factual. I'm French, studied and lived in the US, and I have to say that French history in North America is not at all studied at school, and mostly ignored at University. In short, it looks like like everything started with Lafayette arrival in 1777, but french presence dated back more than 150 years prior to this event, and Washington was clearly not a friend of the french prior to the American Revolution. Thanks again for the video.

Quite well done! I'm a big fan of pre-Revolutionary War history. It's so rare to come across such a good presentation.

When you add in the topography & tree cover, it gives a much better understanding of these battles. Thank you!

I am very familiar with the entire region. This is the best explanation of the French and Indian War I have ever experienced.

These videos are spectacular. Clear speaking, hitting on important points, moving along from one to the next at a good pace, and love the constant visuals of the map. Have taken a recent liking to much of this history and love how these videos compliment and reinforce the stuff that I’ve been reading. Didn’t care much for it when I learned some of it in school, but now, at age 34, I absolutely love learning this stuff.

One thing missing: The native Americans consistantly aimed their muskets at Washington firing volley after volley. When Washington was seen again and again to not fall under their musket fire, they began to fear Washington. Believing he was one with the Great Spirit and could not be killed, they quit trying to shoot him angering French commanders.

Living in Pittsburgh, I appreciate this well done video.

Hard to believe that foreign armies fought great campaigns over the land that became the United States. Amazing stuff.

When I was in Catholic school in the 1960's we studied the French& Indian War! So we sympathized with the French & Indians. Jr high was in Public School and we got the other perspective ! The British were their heroes! LOL! 🤔🇫🇷🇬🇧 Native American supporter here!

The strength of the French forces before the Conquest in Québec (1760) was essentially in the mastering of the territories, the strong links with Indian tribes and, foremost, the practice of maquis war. Maquis war strategy was essential for the survival of the French, taking into account they were much less numerous than the English troops. The best example that sustains this assertion is the battle of Québec where Montcalm, after a long and suffering siege lasting for months (continual bombarding from the English ships from the St-Lawrence river), decided to get out of the Québec fortifications and started a European war - face-to-face - against the Englsh troops. It was late in late September and Montcalm could have waited a little more time inside the fortifications, knowing the winter will come up soon enough. Because the English ships would have been trapped in the ice otherwise. But the battle took place in what we now call the Abraham's plain, a flat and open land outside of the fortifications. Montcalm's assistant (Vaudreuil), a French Canadian born officer, was against this strategy, knowing it would cause the defeat. And it did. here a very good account of the several battles before the Conquest: "France in America" written by W. J. Eccles. So far, if my memory is still reliable, Washington was at one time a prisonner of the French. He was lucky enough that his life was spared by them.

Great job. I have been studying the French & Indian war pretty intensively over the past couple of years after finding out some of my ancestors fought in it. Plus, living in western PA it's nice to have so many historic sites to visit. Daniel Baugh's "The Global Seven Years War" is a great overview of the conflict and Francis Parkman's classic "Montcalm and Wolfe" is also terrific. Also, that golf course shown above Braddock's crossing on the map is one of the most scenic, and challenging, courses in the United States. Even if you don't play golf you can eat lunch there and it gives you a commanding view from the French and Indian position.

This is excellent. The use of maps makes it so much easier understand (i.e. Nemacolin's Trail is now U.S. HWY40). Thank you for taking the time to put this together. "I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, and yet escaped unhurt." Unbelievable.