10/28/2014

Military Geography

Optional Exercise 6 (graded or extra credit) MILITARY GEOGRAPHY explores the interrelationship between the and the physical landscape and places in NYS that have Strategic Nature of New York important military significance in American military history.

Prof. Anthony Grande French and Indian Wars American Revolution War of 1812 © AFG 2014 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nysparks/celebrate_nyhistory2012/#/0 - link to NYS historic sites and parks brochure 1 2

The Nature of Landforms and Elevations Strategic Location

What is “strategy?” In the 1700s, with know- ledge of the geographic site and situation of the What is a “strategic location?” British colonies PLUS What qualities does this location have? the military technology of the times, how would you A location’s geography (terrain, weather, climate and go about devising a plan culture) plays an important role in its selection to conquer them? and the planning and execution of the plans, especially military plans. It goes together with current technology. For New York in the 1700s, what criteria would be used to choose a strategic location? 3 4

Strategic Passages Inland Corridor

 The location of routes and passages as well as bottlenecks and areas of unimpeded move- ment have historically been important. Control of these areas have been the goal of strategists.

 Among the most important strategic locations in America in the 1700s are 4 sites in NYS: Important physical feature Mouth of the Niagara River in eastern North America in wars from the French Oneida Carry at Rome and Indian Wars to the US Civil War. Fort Ticonderoga between Lake Champlain and Lake George Gorge of the Hudson through the Hudson Highlands 5 6

1 10/28/2014

French and Indian Wars French and Indian Wars Conflict between England and France for control of North America. Conflict between England and France for control of North America The New York Colony was strategically loca- The New York Colony ted between French was strategically and English territories, allowing the easiest located between the and shortest passage French and English between Canada (St. territories, allowing the Lawrence River Val- easiest and shortest ley) and Atlantic coast. passage between Canada (St. Lawrence River Valley) and the Atlantic seaboard.

NY Harbor 7 8

Fort Niagara – a player in 3 wars Strategic Passages

The fort played an important role in the struggles of France, England, and the United States to control the Great Lakes region and also helped shape the destiny of the Iroquois. The French built the fort in 1659 overlooking the mouth of the Niagara River to control passage. Fort Ticonderoga between Lake Britain gained control of Fort Champlain and Niagara in 1759, during the French Lake George & Indian War after a 19 day siege. Oneida The British held it throughout the Gorge of the Hudson River Carry American Revolution but yielded it through the Hudson High- at to the U.S. in 1796 by the treaty. lands (West Point-Bear Mountain). Rome During the War of 1812 Fort Niagara was captured by the British (1813). It was returned to the United States in 1815 at the end of the war. 9 10

Oneida Carry Site of Ticonderoga The site of Ticonderoga was considered a strategic position because it control- led the route between Lake Champlain and the Hudson Valley.

It was important to the Iroquois, the French, British and Americans. What is a portage? 11 12

2 10/28/2014

Site of Fort NY and the American Revolution Ticonderoga Occupying this site meant controlling all travel between St. Lawrence River Valley (Canada) and New York Harbor.

Lake George

La Chute River July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence Lake Champlain is signed in Philadelphia. Great Britain controlled the seas. The Royal Navy quickly blockaded all primary colonial ports and controlled coastal traffic. About one third of all battles of the American 13 Revolution were fought on New York soil. 14

NY and the American Revolution NYC and Vicinity The British attempted to end the war by splitting the colonies New York City, New York in half. Harbor and the lower  Gen. Howe moves north Hudson River were from NYC. quickly secured by the  Col. St. Leger moves British and remained Aug. 1776 east from Oswego. under their control Battle of Brooklyn  Gen. Burgoyne moves throughout the south from Montreal. Revolution. All were to meet at Albany in victory! 15 16

What Happened? Hudson River Gorge at Bear Mountain

Howe never made it past West Point.

• Americans controlled the Hudson Highlands. Looking south (NY harbor 50 mi away) Because of the S-shape of the Hudson there, British ships had to slow down. downstream • The Americans put an iron chain across the Site of Fort Montgomery river to block passage. • Howe retreated to NYC, not able to deliver supplies to Burgoyne.

17 18

3 10/28/2014

Hudson River Gorge Location of the at West Point Chains in the Hudson Gorge

Constructed in 1778

19 20

What Happened? Oriskany Battlefield

St. Leger never made it past Rome. • British and Indian forces moving into the Mohawk Valley encountered a large American militia at Oriskany. • After one of the bloodiest battles of the war and with false rumors present, the Indian forces disengaged. • St. Leger retreated to Oswego. Considered to be a significant turning point in the War of Independence, the Battle of Oriskany (August 6, 1777) has 21 been described as one of the bloodiest battles of the war. 22

From Montreal What Happened? Battle of Saratoga

Burgoyne never made it past Saratoga. Ft. Tic. St. Leger retreats • Burgoyne was forced to surrender after the after the battle of second battle of Saratoga after Oriskany – meeting much militia resistance as his force SARATOGA moved south,

23 24

4 10/28/2014

The Aftermath War of 1812 American forces tried to attack Canada via Lake Champlain lowland. The U.S. After the Battle of Saratoga (1777), only the established a fleet on Lake Ontario based area south of Bear Mountain, including NYC, at Sackett’s Harbor, NY. remained under British control. • The New England Colonies were linked to the Middle and Southern Colonies via inland routes. Food and manufactured goods were exchanged. • Victory convinced France to join the war on the American side. • Only 1 other battle (Elmira, 1779) was fought in NY. • Revolutionary War ends in 1781. 25 26

War of 1812 Niagara Frontier - War of 1812

Military out- Lake Champlain and posts along St. Lawrence River Valley the Niagara Frontier.

Lake Ontario Niagara Frontier

27 28

War of 1812 War of 1812

Fort Oswego guarded the mouth of the Oswego River which was a route into central New York.

War of 1812 battle depiction

Sackett’s Harbor, NY was the site of the principal American shipyard and naval base on Lake Ontario. The British crossed Lake Ontario in an attempt to capture it but were repulsed by the Americans. 29 30

5 10/28/2014

War of 1812 Battle of Plattsburgh N E X T

The Battle of Plattsburgh (Battle of Lake Champlain) in Sept., The Growth of the 1814 ended the final British State of New York invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812. in the new United States The Americans were able to use the victory to: 1. Demand exclusive rights to Lake Champlain, 2. Deny the British exclusive rights to the Great Lakes and 3. Deny any territorial gains made against the New

England states during the war. 31 32

6