THE GREAT WAR FOR EMPIRE
French and Indian War Creates a Culture Clash

WQED Multimedia is producing a four-part documentary that will bring to life the French and Indian War, a fascinating yet little-understood conflict. Produced and filmed locally, the production is an important, regional economic-development project. "The War That Made America" is planned for broadcast on Wednesdays Jan. 18 and 25, 9-11 p.m.

In exchange for their neutrality or support during the French and Indian War, Native Americans were promised the land west of the Allegheny Mountains, including present-day Western Pennsylvania. But three years after the fighting ceased on American soil, a new war broke out as a direct result of broken British promises. Pontiac's War, led by a chief from what is now Michigan, began with attacks on British strongholds left over from the French and Indian War, including Fort Detroit. Native American tribes in Ohio and Pennsylvania followed, capturing nine forts across the region. The British realized they needed to rally troops once more in order to save their second-largest fort, Fort Pitt, which was under siege.

An expedition was organized to march west to Fort Pitt and then to proceed north and west to re-establish fallen forts. Col. Henry Bouquet, a Swiss-born professional soldier, commanded the expedition as it left Carlisle, Pa. (just outside Harrisburg) on July 18. Indian scouts observed Bouquet's army marching west along Forbes Road and reported this to the large force of Indians surrounding Fort Pitt. The Indians left a small force to hold the fort and headed east to attack the British expedition in the open. The attack took place one mile east of Bushy Run Station in Westmoreland County on Aug. 5 and 6, 1763. The engagement resulted in a victory for the British, who discouraged the Indians' war efforts and also helped to keep the "gateway to western expansion" open.

The French and Indian War is seen as the "Great War for Empire" because it ultimately settled the question of control of the Colonies among European powers but ignored the claims on the land of Indians. Today, Bushy Run Battlefield is the only historic site or museum that deals exclusively with Pontiac's War, one of the most significant Native American conflicts in American History, which addressed Natives' claims on American land. Today at Bushy Run, visitors can learn more about the significance of these historical events through exhibits located in the visitor's center. Self-guiding trails, guided tours and interpretive programs return visitors to the days of the battle. The battlefield is also topographically intact, and visitors can learn about the tactics used in the battle, which are still studied by present-day military strategists.

For more information on the programs at Bushy Run, visit their web site, or look for other events at The French and Indian War Commemoration web site.

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