George Washington and the Half-King Chief Tanacharison: An Alliance That Began the French and Indian War

by Paul R. Misencik

Overview

George Washington and the Half-King Chief Tanacharison details the events in western Pennsylvania that precipitated the French and Indian War. It describes the interpersonal relationship between 22-year-old, inexperienced, but self-assured George Washington and the 54-year-old wily Iroquois Chief Tanacharison, which led to, as Horace Walpole quipped, Washington firing "a volley in the backwoods of America that set the world on fire."

The book explores the history of the French and English rivalry for the trans-Allegheny territory and its impact on the Indians in the area. It shows how Washington and Tanacharison each sought to influence the other to gain support for their respective agendas. Washington wanted the Indians to endorse Virginia's claim to the Ohio territory, while Tanacharison wanted a war between England and France so that the Iroquois could maintain their dominance over the Ohio Indians. The book describes in detail the sequence of events through which the crafty half-king manipulated Washington into starting the war he wanted, and by his actions implicated Washington in nothing less than a cold-blooded murder.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786479504
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	05/16/2014
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Paul R. Misencik is a former airline captain and retired division chief of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He is a member of the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, a living history foundation. He lives in Reston, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Prologue: Tuesday, May 28, 1754-Jumonville Glen 7

1 Conflicting Claims 11

2 Céloron 21

3 Opening Moves 33

4 French Forts on the Allegheny 46

5 Washington Warns the French 57

6 The Race to the Forks 80

7 The Spark Is Struck 97

8 Rationalization and Justification 116

9 The Half-King Gets His War 121

10 Battle at Great Meadows 139

Epilogue 151

Chapter Notes 179

Bibliography 189

Index 195