1) Why do only the Mohawk agree to fight with General Johnson?
The Mohawk chief has a close friendship with Johnson. Both are cultural mavericks and accepting of the differences between them. Johnson tries to convince the Iroquois Nation that the British are there for their own good and will protect the best interests of the Natives. He provides them with many gifts and shows that there were long ties between Six Nations and the Crown. The Iroquois have made it their policy to remain neutral, so they don’t want to shed Indian blood to fight for a White man’s war. For this reason, only the Mohawks decide to break their neutrality.
2) What are the results of the Battle of Lake George?
The Mohawk and British walk into a trap, basically an ambush. However, the Canadian Mohawk don’t want to shed the blood of New York Mohawk, so they appeal to each other as members of the same tribe and agree not to fight, but it’s too late. The battle becomes known as The Bloody Morning Scout because it was a massacre of the Colonials and New York Mohawk. Johnson retreats with what troops are left and directs the building of a hasty defense. The French charge the entrance to Johnson’s camp. When they are within 75 yards, Johnson’s men are ready. Fighting continues through the day and is very costly to both sides. Johnson’s men succeed in forcing the French to retreat, but Johnson has taken a musket ball in the backside. The Mohawk leave to mourn their dead, and Johnson’s men are too exhausted to continue to Lake Champlain.
3) For what purposes did the Native Americans take captive? (List three)
They took captives as a weapon against encroaching settlers, to frighten them into leaving. They also used captives as a way to replace warriors killed in battle. A third reason is as a ransom for guns and trade goods, which they are in desperate need of.
4) Why is the story of Mary Jemison presented? What purpose does it serve?
Her story survives as a vivid account of life on the dangerous frontier in those days. It was dangerous to live in Pennsylvania backcountry, which was where she lived. The Shawnee captured her and her family after killing her father. They then killed the rest of her family and she was taken 70 miles to live with the Seneca. She has a real live account of being captured by Natives and surviving, and assimilating into their culture.
5) Do you agree with Washington's disciplinary practices on deserters? Why or why not?
Yes, because he believes that discipline breeds success and he’s correct. He is showing the people that deserters will get hanged for their crimes, so it makes them not want to desert. He is creating a stronger army. He’s doing what teachers do all the time, using one bad kid as an example so that others don’t follow.
6) Who is Montcalm and why doesn't he like the Natives?
Montcalm is a French leader who was sent over to lead the French army. The Natives seem like barbarians to Montcalm, so he doesn’t appreciate them allies. He has no patience with the Natives. He thinks their war is cruel, sparing neither women nor children, but he intends to use them anyway.
7) What is the Native American code of honor? How does this differ from the Europeans' Code of War?
The Native American way was to take trophies of war including captives and other loot. Montcalm and other Europeans regard this as savagery. After the battle of Oswego Montcalm agrees to pay ransom for British captives and vows to restrain Natives. Europeans spare women and children, and once there is a surrender they allow the losers to leave with honor. The Natives just capture them.
8) Discuss the culture clash that happens at Fort William Henry.
The Natives seem like barbarians to Montcalm. Montcalm offers Monro a chance to surrender before battle begins. He invokes memory of Natives bad behavior in the past. Monro can surrender with honor only after the fort’s walls have been breeched. Montcalm designs the surrender to keep Natives at bay. British are granted safe passage, provisions and supplies will go to Canada, British keep personal effects, and Natives could take what's left. Natives felt betrayed because they had lost many, expecting to return to their people with honors of war. There is a banquet with the defeated, to which the Natives are not invited. Natives begin to see a European conspiracy. They attack the British on their way out. The British get looted and captured.
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