Historical Study: Colonial Age of the United States

The past month now I have turned the page on the Age of Exploration with a very deep dive into the American colonial age. This is of course much thanks to my experience playing the game Assassin's Creed: Rogue which was set during the Seven Years War. I already made a proper study on the military conflicts between the Native Americans and European settlers which resulted in a series of conflicts known as the French and Indian Wars. In this post I'd like to stray away from the political and military affairs of the British colonization of the United States and rather focus on the religious and societal conditions of the time.

It's funny how when we think of the history of the United States we often start with the Declaration of the Independence and the American Revolution. While this is no doubt the official starting point of the history of the United States, there were nearly 210 years of European settlement known as the Colonial Age. During this age of European settlement, America established it's roots as a diverse population seeking religious and personal liberties. It must have been a very exciting yet chaotic time where settlers were at odds with the natives yet also with one another. 

I think it was around 2012 when I first began to develop a fond fascination with the region of New England. This was of course due to our family summer trip to Connecticut, Boston, and Maine. I especially enjoyed our day in Boston, filled with so much colonial history, and wished I could spend at least a week in the Massachusetts region. I remember around that time I made one of my first major deep dives into American history, studying every aspect of the American Revolution. I always enjoyed the 2000 film The Patriot starring Mel Gibson, however I became further enlightened by the 2008 mini-series, John Adams starring Paul Giamatti. 

However when it comes to the colonial age (1565-1775) prior to the American Revolution, I know very little about. Sure I've known the basic stories about the Jamestown settlement and the love affair between John Smith and Pocahontas; then there's the Pilgrims voyage onboard the Mayflower to Plymouth where they shared the first thanksgiving with the Indians; and of course there are the infamous tales of Salem Witch Trials. However now I have begun a deeper dive into this historical context, especially since I have more free time these days. I have emerged myself into some great summer reading pertaining to the Native Americans, The Settlement of the North American Continent, the Mayflower, and the Salem Witches. In this post I intend to establish a historical timeline and better understanding of the European settlement known as the Colonial Age.  

Spanish settlement in Florida (1565)

What's quite interesting to me is that the oldest settlement in the United States was not done so by the British yet by the Spanish. During the 1500s the Spanish Empire was the most powerful nation in the world and had already conquered and settled much of South America. It was in 1565 that the Spanish conquistador Pedro Menendez de Aviles established the settlement in northern Florida known as St. Augustine. It is today considered the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the United States. (This is of course excluding earlier Native and Spanish settlements that were abandoned.) 

The establishment of St. Augustine of course did not occur peacefully and entailed battles with the French as well as the Natives of the region known as the Timucua. By 1567 Pedro Aviles had succeeded in securing the region for the Spanish Empire by building fortifications along the coastline and establishing peace with the natives. This settlement marked the northernmost point in the New World for the Spanish Empire. However it also became the target of English piracy and in 1586 the fortification was raided by Sir Francis Drake. 

The Spanish were eventually able to regain control of the Florida region, however continued to be at odds with the growing English settlement to the north. The region of Carolina became the contested buffer zone between the St. Augustine settlement and the Jamestown, Virginia settlement. The fortification was once again sacked in 1668 by another English pirate known as Robert Searle. This intensified Spanish-English hostilities in the southeastern regions with the newly established British colony of Georgia waging an unsuccessful siege in 1740. By the end of the Seven Years War in 1763, the Spanish were forced to cede the territory of Florida to British control, while they gained control of the Louisiana region to the west. 

English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia (1607)

Perhaps the better known American story of early settlement is that of Jamestown, Virginia. By the early 1600s the balance of power had shifted to England's favor upon defeating Spain at the Anglo-Spanish Wars by 1604. This gave way to an economic Golden Age under Queen Elizabeth and her successor King James who sought to acquire great wealth from the New World. Following several failed attempts to colonize Roanake in 1585, the Virginia Company of London was established in 1606 by wealthy merchants under a charter by the king, to colonize North America. In 1607 the first British settlement of Jamestown was established in the Chesapeake Bay. 

As demonstrated in the popular films Pocahontas (1995) and The New World (2005) the early settlement got of to a very rocky start. This was due to tense relations with the local Powhatan natives, who naturally felt their territory at threat. The early relations were peaceful for the most part however, much thanks to Captain John Smith's appeal to the chief's daughter Pocahontas. However the settlement struggled from sickness and starvation in it's early founding years. By 1610 the company reinforced the settlement with new supplies and workers, as well as new leadership. 

By 1614 the harvest of tobacco became a profitable commodity within the settlement and further encouraged English investment. This in turn encouraged expansion of the Jamestown settlement, and cultivators such as John Rolfe began to prosper in the region and later married the native princess Pocahontas. However following the death of Pocahontas in 1617, tensions with the local Powahtan tribes intensified more-so due to the continuing expansion of the British settlement. This gave way to the Anglo-Powhatan wars, a series of raids and conflicts which waged from 1610-1646. 

By 1624 the Virginia Company's license was revoked by the king, and the settlement became a royal colony of the British Empire. By 1646 following the death of Pocahontas' uncle and tribe leader Opchanacanough, the Powahtan wars came to an end and there was peace in the region for some time. However the colony later became the site of one of the earliest colonial uprisings known as Bacon's Rebellion in 1676. The dispute was led by frontiersmen Nathaniel Bacon who sought to further acquire territorial region in Virginia from the natives. He was however opposed by the loyalist governor William Berkeley. Nathaniel Bacon thus organized a series of demonstrations and a militia that eventually burned the town of Jamestown. The uprising was later subdued by the British army and the town was eventually rebuilt and became a part of the new capital city of Williamsburg in 1699.  

French settlement of Canada, Maine, and Louisiana territory (1608-1763)

By the 1530s, the French had begun to explore the Northern regions of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (in present day Canda). Jacques Cartier was the most famous of these explorers and established the Fort of Charlesbourg-Royal (present day Quebec) in 1541 however it last only a couple years. Nonetheless the French quickly expanded their interest in the region and profited from fur trade with the local Indians. By 1608 under the leadership of Samuel de Champlain, the French established Quebec City as the first settlement in New France. 

Of the three main European powers who settled North America, France was the most agreeable to the natives. Nonetheless they also did have their differences and France would often use the natives for their own personal gain. The Iroquois were the most hostile towards the French settlements in Acadia and Canada. Despite having small numbers in comparison to the British colonies in New England, the French still managed to explore much more land. By the mid 1620s, under the encouragement of Cardinal Richelieu, the French extended their territory further west, including the Great Lakes.

By 1710 the French had a vast region of colonies in Canada with settlements in Quebec, Montreal, and Trois-Rivieres; as well as colonies in the Hudson Bay, Acadia, Newfoundland, and the vast region of Louisiana (a vast region in the present day Mid West, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico). However despite this vast region, the French never quite had the population compared to the English colonies. During the 1700s territorial hostiles between the French and English emerged which resulted in a series of French and Indian Wars. Despite their alliance with the Native Americans, the French were unable to sustain their territory and in 1763 they were forced to relinquish all their territory in North America to the British and the Spanish. 

Pilgrims settlement in Plymouth (1620)

The settlement of the Pilgrims is one that I have recently read about in Nathaniel Philbrick's novel; "The Mayflower: A story of Courage, Community, and War". In the book Philbrick gives a very detailed account of the Pilgrim's voyage and settlement in the New World. The group was a form of English Protestants, with Puritan/Calvinist beliefs, however they sought to break away from the Church of England. In 1607 they settled in Leiden, Netherlands for some time however were not able to adapt to the Dutch customs. In 1620 they were able to organize a voyage to the New World, with the financial investors and the approval of King James. 

With 102 passengers (half of which were Pilgrims, the other half were workers) they set sail across the Atlantic onboard the ship known as the Mayflower. After a very miserable 65 days they arrived to the Cape Cod Bay and eventually settled in Plymouth. Shortly after they established a new governing document known as the Mayflower Compact with William Bardford as their first governor. The pilgrims were able to establish much more peaceful relations with the Natives, then the Jamestown colony had. By 1621 they had coordinated a peace treaty with the Wampanoag tribe and their leader Massasoit. They also had a very helpful Native ally and guide known as Squanto. In 1621 the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags shared a feast to commemorate their treaty which would later become the famous harvest holiday of Thanksgiving. 

The Pilgrims were able to establish a fairly independent society free from the English King's authority however they still ran into many problems early on. By the 1630s they found themselves joined by various other Puritan settlements within the Massachusetts Bay. This eventually lead to broken relations with the Wampanoags tribes and the eventual conflict known as King Philip's War. The son of Massasoit, Metacomet (also known as King Philip) had reached a tipping point with the English settlers extending their territory and united a great force of Natives against them. This was without question the bloodiest Native-European conflict of it's time, and went on from 1675-1678. 

The Pilgrim colony was lead by the heroic Captain Benjamin Church in alliance with the New England Confederation. The New England militia did not receive any support from England in this conflict, and alongside Bacon's Rebellion in 1676 and Leisler's Rebellion in 1689, these events marked the beginning of Colonial military strength and independence. The Natives were eventually defeated by 1678 and in 1691 the Plymouth Colony became a part of the Massachusetts Colony. To this day the story of the Pilgrims' voyage on the Mayflower, landing on Plymouth Rock, and their first Thanksgiving have become iconic elements of American heritage. 

Dutch settlement in New York (1614-1664)

The Dutch Republic had also become a formidable European force during the Colonial Age and sought to establish roots in the New World. In 1610 the Dutch East India Company hired the English explorer Henry Hudson to find a northwest passage to the Indies. While Hudson was unable to find this route thru the northern Arctic seas, he did however discover the New York Harbor and it's northern river, which later became known as the Hudson River. Thru Hudson's exploration of the New York Bay the Dutch were able to establish the New Netherlands colony in present day New York.

Throughout the 1620s the Dutch built several fortifications and settlements along the Hudson River with an emphasis on fur and sea trade. By 1624 the island of Manhattan became the capital of the Dutch colony, known as New Amsterdam (later renamed by the British to New York City). Unlike their Protestant neighbors in New England and in Virginia, the New Netherlands colony was a state of free religion and free trade. However their colony in North America was short-lived due to heightened hostilities with the British. In the 1650s the Anglo-Dutch wars were fought over trade and naval supremacy. In 1674 the Dutch were forced to relinquish New Amsterdam and leave their North American settlement. The British renamed the colony as New York. 

Puritan settlement in Massachusetts (1629)

In the likes of the Pilgrims, the Puritans also sought to break free from the Church of England and establish a new identity in the New World. John Winthrop was one of their earliest leaders and established various settlements throughout the Massachusetts Bay such as Salem and Boston. This gave way to a mass migration of Puritans to the New World from the 1630s-1640s known as the Great Migration. Nearly 20,000 Puritan settlers spread throughout the New England region in the colonies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. 

The harbor of Boston quickly became the booming epic center of mercantile trade with Europe and other colonies along the Atlantic coast. In 1636 the oldest university in the United States was established in the town of Cambridge, known as Harvard. The Puritans quickly established a firm authority in the Massachusetts Bay, with a theocratic government. Some of it's most notable leaders were all clergymen such as John Cotton, Richard Mather, Increase Mather, and Cotton Mather. This region became the epicenter of King Philip's War and also the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692 which brought a devastating tole to Puritan theocratic theocracy.  

Catholic settlement in Maryland (1632)

In 1632 George Calvert, 1st Baron of Baltimore received approval from King Charles I to establish a colony in the northern reach of the Chesapake Bay along the Potamic River. This would become a haven for English Catholics known as the Colony of Maryland. George however died shortly after the settlement, and the ownership of the new colony went to his son, Cecil Calvert. Cecil governed the colony from 1632-1675 and instituted a tact of religious tolerance which brought him the honorable title of Lord Baltimore. 

In 1689 however the Puritans seized control of the colony in a rebellion led by John Coode, that ousted Baltimore's Catholic leadership. By 1715 the Baltimore family was able to regain control of the region, however it had now become more-so Protestant dominated. Similar to the Colony of Virginia, Maryland had tensions with the local natives, known as the Susquehannock and also thrived off the tobacco industry. By 1706 the colony established a major port of trade known as Baltimore, which later became their capital city in 1729. 

Swedish settlement in Delaware (1638-1655)

The Swedish Empire had also risen to European prominence during this Colonial Age under the reign of Gustavus Adolphus. Seeking further Protestant expansion, the Swedish Empire had defeated the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years War and strengthened their hold on the Scandinavia region. The colonization efforts was headed up by the Swedish South Company who after various expeditions managed to establish a settlement along the Delaware River in 1638. Led by Peter Minuit the Swedes established the colony of New Sweden in the Delaware Peninsula. 

Fort Christina (present day Wilmington) became the center of operations for the Swedish settlement in the region that was quickly contested by the Dutch settlement to their north. The Swedes however were able to reinforce their position and also made good alliance with the Lenape and Susquehannock tribes. However with the onset of the Second Northern War in 1655 in Europe, the Dutch invaded the Swedish settlements in Delaware. The Swedes were ultimately able to win the war in Europe, however unable to win back their territory in North America. By 1664 both the Dutch and Swedish settlements were swallowed up by the British. Nonetheless the Swedes continued to populate the Delaware region and introduced log cabins and the new religion of Lutheranism.  

Quakers settlement in Pennsylvania (1676-1682)

During the 1640s many smaller religious groups sought to break away from the English Church and even apart from the Puritans, one of these groups included the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends). The Quakers were quickly considered a bit on the radical side, renown for their convulsive shaking in the presence of the lord. This small branch of followers were heavily persecuted in England and even later so in New England. However in 1681 William Penn was able to receive approval from King Charles II to establish a colony for their people in Philadelphia, which would later become a part of Pennsylvania. 

While the Quakers could be considered as the founders of the Pennsylvania region they were quickly divided in most political matters. They received heavy opposition from their Swedish neighbors in Deleware and their Dutch neighbors in New York. Soon other religions also began to populate the colony and the Quakers more or less were forced to relinquish their control of the area. Nonetheless however they still played a significant part in the colonies' business affairs. Their leader William Penn is often considered one of the earliest proponents for a United Colonial States free from Europe. 

Salem Witch Trials (1692)

Perhaps one of the most egregious events of the Colonial Age (apart from the military engagements) were the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. This was a controversial event that to this day has spurred the imagination of writers, songs, movies, and the celebration of Halloween. Perhaps the most famous portrayal of this event was Arthur Miller's popular play, The Crucible. Miller used the historical events of the Salem trials to compare to McCarthy's Communist hunt during the 1950s. The with hunt of Salem in 1692 has become iconic imagery of the New England Puritan lifestyle during the Colonial Age. 

Upon finishing my book on the Mayflower I decided to make a deep dive into this fascinating historical topic in Stacy Shiff's book "The Witches". This is yet another very detailed account of the events and trials that occurred in Salem during this time. I honestly knew very little about the infamous events until I read this book. On a side note as a devout Catholic, I generally tend to stay away from anything pertaining to witchcraft, horror, and the dark arts. However I am also an admirer of history and fantasy and greatly enjoyed the popular Harry Potter Books (which were entirely about witchcraft). Therefore I felt no guilt in approaching this historical book thru a purely academic approach. 

The book deals more so with the legal proceedings rather than exactly what was going on. Witchcraft trials had reached a peak during the 1580-1670s in Europe with mass executions in the towns of Trier, Germany (1581-1593); North Berwick trials in Scotland (1590); Fulda trials in Germany (1603-1606) The Basque trials in Logrono, Spain (1609-1611), the Wurzbug trials in Germany (1626-1631), the Bamberg trials in Germany (1626-1631), and the Torsaker witch trials in Sweden (1675). The Salem trials were the first and most significant witch hunt that to this day has occurred in the United States. In the end nearly 185 witches were accused, 30 of which were found guilty, and 19 of which were executed by hanging (14 women and 5 men).

The event in Salem began with peculiar convulsions of young girls who were quickly considered bewitched and the girls began to accuse others of witchcraft. These accusations were deemed as spectral evidence, divine visions, which at the time was a justifiable means of legal procedures. Most the women accused were already deemed as odd, isolated, peculiar, and with prior accusations of witchcraft. However none had committed any serious crime besides a fascination with the extraordinary (what the Puritan authorities considered the worship of the devil). 

The basis of the accusations were collected from various tests beginning with the Spectral evidence from the accusers. Many of the witches had various accounts of peculiar behavior and unorthodox powers, such as the ability to manipulate animals, fly on broomsticks, or even super human strength. Of course none of their suspected magical powers could ever be proved. There was however an inspection for the witch's teat (considered a mark from the devil) and the touch test (conducted during a victim's convulsion, if the accused touched them and the convulsion stopped, it was because the accused had afflicted the victim). Most of these procedures were very skeptical and the authorities essentially intended to intimidate the accused into a confession (which only a few did).

The trials of Salem are quite controversial even during it's time, because there was never any hard evidence that these accused had committed any wrong. The practice of witchcraft is no doubt something to be frowned upon, however if the person is not committing a crime, they should not be executed for their beliefs. The events in Salem can best be described as an early example of mass hysteria in which everyone was overcome by religious paranoia. This event ultimately marked a turning point in the Puritan theocratic system, by which religion could no longer over-cede matters of state and law. 

Slavery (1620-1865)

Yet another major historic atrocity during the colonization of the Americas (on par with the conquest of the Native Americans) was the subjugation of African slaves. As agriculture and trade began to boom in the New World, the need for laborers also began to boom and thus was born the slave trade. In 1526 the Portuguese became the first European power to acquire slaves from Central and West Africa and ship them to their colony in Brazil. Soon after the slaves became a vital tool in the Caribbean Islands and South America, working in fields of coffee, sugar, cocoa, and cotton plantations. 

In the early years of the British colonization of Jamestown, the British relied on indentured servants as means of their labor force. These were essentially Irish, Africans, and criminals working for their freedom. However by 1620 with the boom of tobacco in Virginia, the English partook in the slave trade and began importing African slaves from the Caribbean Islands. Unlike indentured servants, these Africans slaves were considered the property of merchants for life. While they were often given their separate homes with families, their children were also expected to be slaves for life. 

From 1620 to 1865, nearly 600,000 African slaves were transported to America (many of which died on their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean). The peak of the slave trade occurred from 1701-1760 with nearly 200,000 slaves transported into America, mostly to the southern states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The northern colonies did not rely as much on agriculture labor, and therefore there numbers were far fewer (besides New York). This grave injustice eventually led to the American Civil War in 1861, and under the presidency of Abraham Lincoln the slaves were finally emancipated in 1863. 

The First Great Awakening (1730-1740)

From the start of the European colonization of America it became a land of liberty and new beginnings. This was especially the case for religious freedom, which brought a vast variety of different backgrounds. For the most part these were Christians seeking to break away from the Church of England (whom never sent an official post to Colonial America). This included the Pilgrims, the Puritans, the Catholics, the Lutherans, the Quakers, the Jews, and various others. By the late 1680s it appeared the Puritans had the majority control of the colonies, however following the scandalous events of the Salem witch trials, the concept of a theocratic state began to wither. 

However from 1730 to 1740 a significant religious revival occurred within the American colonies that later became known as the First Great Awakening. This ushered in a new era of Evangelicalism based on the principles of gospel practice, preaching, and a renewal of religious piety and enthusiasm. In essence it brought new life to the old and strict Puritan traditions, who in return accused these new Evangelicals to be practicing obsessive fanaticism. Nonetheless this marked a significant turning point in the religious history of Colonial America that gave way to new denominations such as the Methodists, Presbyterian, and the Baptists (which especially became popular among African Americans in the south). In essence this religious awakening could be seen on par with the colonial independence movement that had begun to stir in America.   

Game Review: Assassin's Creed Rogue

The past several weeks I have been submerged into a new fascination with the colonial age of America much thanks to this game, Assassin's Creed Rogue. The game takes place during the Seven Years War (1750-1760s) with a focus on the French and Indian War. It falls between AC IV: Black Flag and AC III on the story timeline, and also serves as a precursor to AC Unity. The game is very similar to the format of AC Black Flag, very ship oriented, however there is one major difference with this game. You play as a Templar instead of an assassin. That being said, it still has the same feel as a usual Assassin's Creed game, and was yet another very enjoyable experience in the series.

The Setting

The main character in this game is Shay Patrick Cormac, an Irish renegade who aids the British during the French and Indian War. His conflict deepens when he uncovers a wicked plot within the Assassin brotherhood, and joins the Templars. This is the first and only game where you play as the assassin's adversary the Templars. Quite frankly I never cared much for the dispute in this series between the Assassin's and Templars and consider that element a part of the modern day story which never appealed to me. So to play as an assassin or a Templar really didn't make a difference for me. As I've mentioned before many times now, what I love most about this game are the historical settings.

The map is quite unique and took me some time to figure out exactly where I was. The three main locations are the North Atlantic, an area referred to as River Valley, and the iconic city of New York. There are also some minor missions in Europe including escaping from an earthquake in Portugal and protecting Benjamin Franklin in Paris. However the locations of the North Atlantic and especially River Valley were most interesting to me. These locations put a strong emphasis on the ship exploration aspect of this game, and consisted of many settlements along the Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson River.

The North Atlantic region is full of French settlements I'd never heard of, while the River Valley has many historic towns such as Albany, Sleepy Hollow, and Mount Vernon. The city of New York in the 1750s is just as impressive and completely reminded me of the film, Gangs of New York. Their are many missions within the city to reclaim territories controlled by gangs yet also renovate buildings. Playing thru this massive city had a classic AC feel to it, similar to renovating Rome and Istanbul in the Ezio Trilogy or exploring Paris in the AC Unity game. Granted New York City didn't really have many significant wonders in the 1750s like it does today (Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building). 

Another thing I learned from the historical setting of this game was that the French and Indian War was not it's own war, yet rather a theater of a greater conflict known as the Seven Years War. It's funny how from an American perspective we always studied the French and Indian War as the definitive conflict that gave the British control of North America over the French. And while that is true, the conflict was actually a branch of a greater conflict taking part in Europe, consisting of alliances and territory. This was quite similar to the conflict of WWII fought on mainland Europe between alliances on multiple theaters (Asia Pacific and North Africa). 

The rivalry between the French and British for North America was over 150 years in the making (since it was first settled in the early 1600s). The French had established a stronghold of the Northern Canadian region, while the British had established a much more populated stronghold of the eastern coast. The French however managed to establish a stronger relationship with the Native Americans than the British did, and used it to their military advantage. Indian raids against Colonial settlements was a common thing since the British had arrived, yet it all reached it's tipping point with the French and Indian War of 1754. This was the final conflict that gave the British total control of North America, expelling the French while eradicating the Native Americans. The victory for the British however was somewhat short-lived and quickly made them the sole targets of the Colonial Americans. 

The Gameplay

As mentioned above the gameplay was more-or-less the exact format as AC IV: Black Flag. This consisted of a heavy emphasis on the voyaging experience with missions on sea and on land. The biggest difference was obviously the much colder climate of the North Atlantic region opposed to the tropical islands of the Caribbean. Swimming the bitter waters of the North Atlantic took a tole on Shay's h
ealth which I felt was a nice adjustment to the game. Also navigating thru ice bergs and blizzards added new obstacles to sea voyaging. 

Just like in AC IV this game offered many natural settings with deep forest exploration (as opposed to the urban settings of the Ezio Trilogy). I felt climbing trees had significantly improved from AC Black Flag and the graphics of the northern forests were quite impressive. Hunting was also a nice addition to this game including new animals of beavers, elks, bears, and wolves. The game however did have various flaws and glitches (more-so than AC IV did) which tells me this production was intended as an expansion of the AC IV format. The controls weren't quite as precise and there were various times I got trapped between a cliff and a tree and would have to restart the game. However despite a few instances it hardly affected my positive experience of this game. 

The upgrades to the Morrigan made for good incentive to complete as many side objectives as possible. I also enjoyed collecting the sea-shanties and listening to them while the crew would navigate the open waters. There were actually some familiar shanties in this game from popular movies such as "Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate" from Master and Commander, and "New York Girls" from Gangs of New York. Another nice change was the ability to upgrade the ship from within the captain's quarters rather than having to go to stores. However ammunition still had to be purchased at stores.

The two biggest differences in this game from AC IV on land were the gang settlements and the stalkers. Quite similar to AC: Brotherhood, where Ezio had to reclaim territory from the Borgias, Shay had to win back areas from the iconic gangs of New York City. This missions often had various tasks however the most difficult was always killing the gang leader. This was because the gang leader had stealth skills introduced by the "stalker" element of this game. Throughout various cities in the game, the stalkers would hide and surprise Shay with near fatal attacks. There are often ways to detect their hiding by hearing the whispers or using eagle vision, but they were often quite a nuisance in the midst of a mission. 

Another new feature of this game was the war element in the likes of the Peloponnesian War of AC Odyssey. These side quests usually consist of retaking a fortification from the French, or helping the British in a minor skirmish. The capturing of forts is quite similar to capturing gang hideouts with various tasks needed to secure the region. I made sure to capture all the forts (on land-and on sea) as well as all the gang hideouts in New York before I completed this game. The main story only had 6 sequences however there was still quite a lot to uncover on the 3 maps (including Native American puzzles, viewpoints, treasure chests, assassin interceptions, viking swords, and so many other cool historical collectibles). Just like with every other AC game, this one was a very enjoyable experience with yet another great historical submersion. 

Historical Study: French and Indian Wars

The past couple weeks I have embarked on a new historical period, following the age of exploration and piracy within the new world (1500-1700s). This latest fascination pertains to the era of colonialism within North America (1600-1700s). The first thoughts that come to mind when I think of the age of British colonialism are the conquest of the Native Americans, the settlement of the Puritans and Pilgrims, the story of Pocahontas, the Salem Witch Trials, and the French and Indian War. However it seems I know very little about this era and perhaps I have often overlooked it by the American Revolution that followed. I thus intend to make a deep historical dive into this period in 2 parts; first the study of the French and Indian War and later a general study regarding the Colonial age of British-America.

The inspiration for this latest historical phase is accredited to the game, Assassin's Creed: Rogue. The game is set in the 1750s-1760s in Northern Canada, the New York river valley, and parts of Europe. I carefully planned to play this game in historical order after I finished AC 4 pertaining to the Golden Age of Piracy (1720s), and prior to AC 3 pertaining to the American Revolution (1770-1780s). The backdrop of the game is set during the Seven Years War, primarily the American theater known as the French and Indian War. Before I played this game I was not aware that the French and Indian War was a theater of a great global war being fought in Europe (in the likes of the Pacific theater during WWII). 

However the game does not delve too deeply into the European conflict pertaining to Prussia and the War of Austrian Succession. Rather it focuses on the subject I am much more familiar with, the theater of the French and Indian War set in the North American colonies. I therefore will not be posting about the European theater of the Seven Years War and perhaps will save that for another time. So for starters I would like to set the backdrop of this historical clash between the French and the British. It was ultimately for the control of America that essentially brought about the demise of the Native Americans. 

Native American Eradication

It is generally believed that the Native Americans had settled in pre-historic America approximately 20,000 years ago. It is most likely that they traveled across the Bering Sea from the northern regions of Russia to present day Alaska. During these ancient years, the Native migrations spread further inland throughout present day Canada, North America, and South America. Thus by the time the Europeans finally discovered America in 1492 the Native Americans had already established strong civilizations along the eastern Atlantic coasts. 

Some of the first interactions between European explorers and Native Americans occurred in Florida in the early 1500s. The Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon attempted to establish a Spanish colony in southern Florida however was fiercely resisted by a native american people known as the Calusa. Throughout the mid 1500s the British led various failed expeditions seeking a northwest passage, as well as failed colonial attempts in Roanake and Newfoundland (once again due to poor relations with the indigenous tribes). It was not until the establishment of Jamestown that the British were able to develop a solid settlement in North America. From here they were able to consolidate their control and expand further along the eastern coast.

Throughout this age of colonial expansionism, the European settlers (including the British, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese) completely eradicated the local native Americans. While the Europeans initially intended to settle peacefully and diplomatically they eventually began to impose their will upon what they considered an inferior savage race. While trade was often conducted early on between the Indians and Europeans, the relations quickly grew worse as the Indians felt their lands being threatened. While they tried to resist quite valiantly, the Indians were no match for the superior European arsenal. Furthermore they did not have the medical means to endure the diseases brought upon by the Europeans. Thus the Native American lifestyle was harshly eradicated due to death by sickness, violence, and relocation. 

Colonial American-Indian Wars

One of the most notable military stands by the Native Americans during the colonial age was during King Philip's War from 1675 to 1678. This engagement was led by the leader of the Wampanogas, Metacomet (known as King Philip). He was able to unite many ingenious tribes in the New England territory and waged war on the British colony of Massachusetts. These tribes conducted many raiding parties throughout British settlements in Massachusetts bringing about the fury of the militia. The Massachusetts militia organized to become the New England Confederation one of the largest colonial armies in the nation. By 1676 Metacomet was killed in battle, which brought an end to the fighting in Massachusetts, while the ingenious tribes were able to sustain control of Maine. 

Other notable conflicts between the Indians and British Settlers include the Anglo-Powhatan Wars set in the famous Jamestown settlement of Virginia. This conflict waged from 1610-1646 and is perhaps most renown for the relationship between Captain John Smith and the Powhatan princess, Pocahontas. There were also various conflicts throughout the New York settlements such as the Peqout War (1636-1638), Kieft's War (1643-1645), Peach Tree War (1655), Esopus Wars (1659-1663). In the Carolina colonies there was the Tuscarora War (1711-1715) and the Yamasee War (1715-1717) and the Drummers War (1722-1725) in New Brunswick. 

King William's War (1688-1697)

Throughout the 1600s the British had established a stronghold of the American colonies while the French had established a stronghold of the Canadian region. Despite ingenious hostilities the true fight for control of America was between the French and the British. And this dispute finally reached it's boiling point in 1688 with the start of the War of the Grand Alliance. While the conflict emerged in Europe between France against an alliance of European nations, there was a theater fought in America that became known as King William's War. This was essentially the first of four major military conflicts in the Americas between France and Britain, which are referred to as the French and Indian Wars. (The Indians mostly sided with the French against the British). 

This first military engagement in America, between the French and the British was more so a stand-off of territory. With both sides fully engaged in Europe, they hardly put much attention to supplying their forces in America. Yet nonetheless the tension had reach a boiling point due to broken relations with the Indians following King Philip's War of 1675-1678. The English began to fear that the Indians had established an alliance with the French which ruined diplomacy between the two European powers. By 1688 both sides began military raids and engagements in the New England and Acadia region.

Following various raids and skirmishes from the Indians the British responded by invading Indian strongholds in Maine. By 1690 the Masschussettes colonial army was able to capture Maine and the region of Acadia at the Battle of Port Royal. The French however won a decisive victory at the Battle of Quebec in 1690 to sustain their control in Canada. During the Siege of Pemaquid in 1696 the French navy allied with Indian soldiers were able to consolidate their control of the Canadian region and drive out all British adversaries. By this point the Nine Years War conflict in Europe had reached it's end, and the theater in America ended without any significant territorial changes.  

Queen Anne's War (1702-1713)

In 1702 another conflict in Europe broke out known as the War of Spanish Succession. This quickly grew into another multi-faceted war, and was yet another proxy war between the two great powers of France and Britain. The general issue was regarding the succession of the Spanish monarchy between the house of Bourbon and the house of Habsburg. Austria was also a key player in this engagement and with the alliance of Britain and the Netherlands they were able to repel France's power grab. However the conflict spilled back over to North America reigniting the tension between the French and British colonies. 

France enlisted the help of the Spanish who had a stronghold in Florida as well as the Native Americans throughout New England, Acadia, and Newfoundland. The fighting was essentially a series of raids and skirmishes between Native Americans and militia colonists. By 1710 the British achieved a decisive victory at the Siege of Port Royal which gave them control of the region in Maine, known as Acadia. By 1713 the British ultimately achieved victory over the French and acquired new territory in Acadia, Newfoundland, and the Hudson Bay. 

King George's War (1744-1748)

In 1740 the War of the Austrian Succession once again pinned European nations against one another in a multi-faceted conflict. Once again the French sought to shift the balance of power in Europe and established an alliance with Spain and Prussia. Meanwhile the British and the Dutch supported the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy. The conflict ultimately marked the downfall of the Austrian Kingdom and the rise of Kingdom of Prussia. However once again it also served as a proxy war between the two major powers of Europe, France and England, and the conflict was once again carried over to America.

The American theater of The War of Austrian Succession was known as King George's War, named after the King George II of Great Britain. The fighting and raids against British strongholds began by 1744 once again consisting of an alliance of French and native Americans. Most of the fighting took place in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Nova Scotia. However by May of 1745 the governor of Massachusetts, William Shirley was able to quell the aggression with his victory at the siege of the fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia. The French and Indians also captured new territories including raids on Saratoga, New York and the fort of Massachusetts. By 1748 the conflict reached a stalemate in accordance with the end to the War of the Austrian Succession.      

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

In 1756 the European conflict between France and Britain finally reached it's penultimate engagement with the Seven Years War. This essentially began from unresolved issues concerning the War of the Austrian Succession that once again established an alliance of European nations against one another. France enlisted the support of the faltering Austrian and Spanish Empire, against the more influential forces of Britain and Prussia. The basis of the fighting was Austria's desire to recapture territory that it had lost to Prussia. However ultimately the British and Prussians defeated the French-Austrian alliance. Furthermore this conflict once again carried over to the Americas and this time it reached its tipping point.

The fourth major engagement between the French and British armies began in 1754 and is subsequently known as the French and Indian War (while the other three wars are considered precursors to this event). The conflict was mostly driven by control of the fur trade within the Hudson region. By this point the British colonists heavily outnumbered the French colonists 2 million to 60,000. However the French relied on their relations with the Native Americans to help improve their odds such as the Wabanaki, Lepane, and Shawnee. The British also had Native alliances such as the Iroquois and the Cherokee. 

The war began at the Battle of Jumonville Glen on May 23rd of 1754 in which the young 21 year old lieutenant George Washington warned the French to withdraw their fortifications in the British territories. The British colonists established the Fort Necessity in Pennsylvania yet were quickly defeated by French and Indian soldiers by July. These two minor engagements called upon heavy reinforcements from both the French and British kingdoms, seeking to bring an end to this tension. General Edward Braddock was put in command of the British and colonial armies yet died shortly after his defeat at the Battle of the Monongahela in 1755. However the same year the British achieved a major victory at the Battle of Fort Beausejour which led to the expulsion of the French Acadians in Maine and New Brunswick.

From 1755-1757 the French and Indian armies won various victories in Pennsylvania and New York. They were led by General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm and Chevalier de Levis, both of which were experienced military leaders from the War of Austrian Succession. The French thus achieved victories in 1756 at the Battle of Fort Bull and Fort Oswego located in New York. Furthermore they led a notorious siege on Fort William Henry in which their Indian allies massacred most of the British colonial soldiers. In response to these defeats and atrocities, Prime Minister William Pitt increased the British involvement in the American theater of the war. 

By 1758 while France was more focused against Prussia in the European theater, the British began an aggressive conquest campaign in the American theater. This ultimately led to the expulsion of New France from the North American region. The British achieved their decisive victory at the Battle of Quebec in 1759 which ultimately forced France to cede the Canadian territory to British control. In the 1763 Treaty of Paris, France relinquished all of it's territory between Britain and Spain. Britain acquired the Canadian territory as well as the land east of the Mississippi River. Spain acquired the land west of Mississippi known as Louisiana. France was only able to sustain the small northeastern island of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. 

This American conflict marked a major turning point and shift of global power. Having lost all it's colonial territory as well as the Seven Years war in Europe, France was in major decline and at the onset of it's French Revolution. The majority of Native Americans were also significantly exiled for their choice to support the French. They were forced to move further westward into the Louisiana territory. Meanwhile the British had become the new global power, with a vast empire in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. This vast territorial empire did not last long however, and quickly incurred the wrath of American Colonists who were against British "Taxation without Representation" and favored a new patriotic revolution. 

Game Review: Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

The past month now, I have put my Chinese appreciation phase aside to embark on a rather new pirate appreciation phase. Just like with all my recent historical phases this is due to the video game I am playing at the time which in this case was, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. From the onset it was very entertaining to embark on a historical era, that I actually knew quite little about; The Golden Age of Piracy. The game had everything I love about this series, from the content, the historical setting, to the free roam structure and game-play. It was yet another home-run experience for me that truly emerged me into the lifestyle of a pirate.

The Setting

For starters I have to describe the historical setting of this game, which is always the main lure for me. The game is set in 1715 in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. The main hero, Edward Kennedy begins as a privateer from Wales, whose ship is attacked, and he later takes on a life of piracy in the Caribbean. He commandeers a large frigate which he names the Jackdaw and recruits pirates to join his crew. He sails across various Caribbean towns and islands such as the port cities of Havana, Nassau, and Kingston. This map was very educational to me, and quite a nice change from the usual European setting. 

The first association that always comes to mind when I think of pirates, is the Johnny Depp movie Pirates of the Caribbean. And this game certainly had elements of that fictional Disney moving starring Johnny Depp. However aside from the usual pirate cliches, this game is more so a historical setting than a fictional setting. Edward's adventure as a pirate assassin, places him right in the middle of the chaotic Caribbean seas during the early 1700s. He encounters many infamous historical pirates such as Blackbeard, Benjamin Hornigold, Mary Read, and Bartholomew Roberts. He is also caught between the battlefields of the English and Spanish  navies during the time. As with moth AC stories, Edward becomes engulfed in a Templar conspiracy by which he must hunt and kill their grand-master, the governor of Cuba, Laureano Torres. 

The Gameplay- On the Sea

It should come as no surprise that this game is much more sea-oriented than it's predecessors. Thankfully I was already familiar with the ship gameplay format from later AC releases, Origins and Odyssey. The open voyages and battles on the sea take some getting used to, however once you personalize your ship it becomes all the more enjoyable. Upgrades to the Jackdaw can be made by looting metal, wood, and cloth which are necessary to face larger ships such as Man-at-Arms. Customizations are also available by hunting for treasure, such as the ships' sails which I chose a nice crimson color. 

Of course fast travel is still an option, by unlocking viewpoints, which makes it quicker to navigate this massive map in the Caribbean. However another sea feature of this game I really came to enjoy was the shanties. These songs, similar to the ship customizations, could be hunted and collected to your ship. On voyages the crew will often sing these songs, and if you get tired of one song you can just skip to the next one. I found this to be a very creative touch, which was also later featured in AC: Odyssey (yet the player was not able to collect the crew songs). 

Aside from looting and battling enemy ships, there were also other methods to gain wealth on the open waters. The first of these was by hunting for whales and shark. Quite similar to the great Moby Dick, Edward would basically throw spears from his rowboat until the beast was killed. With the score, you could sell the meat or use it for crafting upgrades. The 2nd way to collect treasure on the sea was by diving underwater in what is referred to as "diving bell". This was a very interesting concept to me and the map is loaded with these mini exploration campaigns underwater. These quests were actually quite challenging to unlock treasure while you are avoiding sharks and holding your breath underwater.   

Another way to make money on the sea, is by building and accessing a fleet. This is an early aspect of the AC series that I especially enjoyed during the Ezio Trilogy, which is the business aspect. Similar to managing a network of assassins in this game you are managing a fleet of pirate ships. You then can send your ships on various missions throughout various routes along the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the challenge of this campaign is securing safe routes which often require mini sea battles. The stronger your ship, and the safer the route, the bigger the score. I eventually got in the routine to start each game session by sending my ships on voyages which often took time. 

Gameplay- On the Islands

On land the game had a very tropical feel to it, which was a nice break from the classical European settings. Besides the major port cities, there were tons of small islands and jungles to explore with unique animals such as jaguars, and ingenious tribes such as the Mayans. There was various collectibles, puzzles, and treasure chests to collect throughout each location. Most of the main settlements had a general store and a ship store by which Edward could buy upgrades for his ship and his personal armor. I will say that the arsenal of weaponry seemed quite limited compared to most games, however that could be due to the emphasis on the Jackdaw. 

The gameplay on land had all the classic AC components, requiring stealth, climbing, hiding, and all-out combat. Aside from the main quest campaign, there were also various other assassination contracts and Templar missions throughout the map. Each campaign had bonus objectives, such as remaining undetected, which boosted your score upon completion. As a fan of the game, it's always nice to acheive a mission more stealthily, which requires skill, but sometimes you just have to do a smash-and-grab job. The one combat technique I quickly learned and took advantage of in this game, was dropping smoke bombs. This basically stuns everyone around you, which makes for easy multiple-kills.  

There were also minor business options to upgrade taverns, stores, and bonfire pits but nothing quite compared to the investment scope of the Ezio Trilogy or AC: Unity. Taking a tavern was usually pretty entertaining fighting off the local thugs, than bribing the bartender for some information with a glass of rum. There was also options to play mini board games such as checkers or backgammon, which I rarely partook in. I did however very much enjoy the Latin tropical backdrop, and hearing characters speak in Spanish. It was very interesting to be submerged in that region during the 1700s. 

As I stated in the opening, this game was yet another incredible AC experience for me. I truly enjoyed the gameplay and learned so much about the historical era (which inspired me to make a deep study of the Age of Exploration and the Age of Piracy). I also bought some new pirate decor for my place and have been eating more fried fish than usual. With most AC games it's best to take your time, and enjoy and explore everything it has to offer. I believe I achieved an 80% sync of the game after about a month of playing. So next for me will be AC: Rogue (set during the Seven Years War) then AC III (set during the American Revolution).