The uncommon enemy : First Nations and empires in King William's War

Abstract

King William's War, 1688-1699, is generally described as a North American subsidiary of the Nine Years' War, 1689-1697. However, the North American hostilities started earlier and stopped later than the fighting in Europe. Further, King William's War was not a straight contest between the European powers in North America. It included two parallel fights, one between the English and the Wabanaki, and the other between the French and the Houdenasaunee. The independent local conduct of hostilities between these groups, the neglect of the conflict by European powers, and the internal divisions within the parties to the war, all establish important distinctions between King William's War and the Nine Years' War.