To Risk It All: General Forbes, the Capture of Fort Duquesne, and the Course of Empire in the Ohio Country

General John Forbess campaign against Fort Duquesne was the largest over-land expedition during the Seven Years War in America, and McConnell documents how and why Forbes and his army succeeded, revealing much about British relations with native peoples and the nature of Britains American empire during a time of stress.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2023
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

General John Forbess campaign against Fort Duquesne was a significant over-land expedition during the Seven Years War in America. While most historical accounts of the period include the Forbes Campaign as a minor detail, McConnell's work delves into the reasons behind Forbes' success and its impact on the mid-Atlantic colonies, native inhabitants of the Ohio Country, and the empire he represented. A closer examination of the Forbes Campaign and its personnel provides valuable insights into British relations with native peoples and the nature of Britain's American empire during a period of strain. Unlike other campaigns, the Forbes Campaign was primarily composed of colonial troops rather than professional British soldiers. Furthermore, individual colonies negotiated their involvement in the campaign, often prioritizing their local interests over those of the empire as a whole. This approach highlights the limitations of imperial power and the tenuous hold that Britain had over its American frontiers, ultimately contributing to the eventual collapse of the empire in the 1760s and 1770s.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822967262