The great Easton Treaty of 1758: the 'unknown' turning point of the French and Indian War

Abstract

This thesis attempted to argue that an Anglo-Indian treaty signed at a small Pennsylvanian town called Easton in fall 1758 should be considered a crucial turning point in the French and Indian War. This treaty was one of many events that shifted the tide of the war into British favor. The outcome of the war was the expulsion of the French from colonial North America. This thesis traces the foundations of Easton back to the beginnings of the colony of Pennsylvania and the establishment of relations with Native Americans by the proprietor. From there, it analyzes a shift in policy both at the provincial and parliamentary levels. Then, it examined the effects the early battles of the French and Indian War had on Anglo-Indian relations. Finally, this thesis highlighted the prior failures at Easton, the 1758 conference and treaty document, and the number of legacies that could be derived from Easton’s passage. The approach for this thesis came from an analytical and argumentative approach. Through primary sources such has newspapers, personal journal, state documents, and conference minutes, they helped defend the claim. Additionally, a number of secondary sources were used to supplement the primary sources and to further aid the argument. Overall, through the analysis and examination this thesis provides, it should be clear that the Treaty of Easton 1758 should take its rightful place as a crucial turning point in the French and Indian War. It should no longer be considered as ‘unknown.’