The Real First World War?

In 1754, a man we know better for his part in the American Revolution, George Washington, led a group of Virginia Militiamen across the Allegheny Mountains. His goal was to build a fort, which would solidify Virginia’s claim to the region which was part of the Ohio River Valley. However an ambitious George Washington was convinced by the Seneca chief Tanaghrisson to attack a small band of French soldiers in the area. The skirmish was no contest, nearly all the French were killed except a diplomat who was wounded. Before the diplomat could formally surrender the chief killed him with a tomahawk to the head! A strange series of events lead to Washington being held responsible for the death, leading to an all out war that some refer to as the First World War.

Washington knew the French would mount a counterattack so he retreated to a meadow and dug in. The small fort he built was named Fort Necessity, and the British waited for the French. The British were defeated, no contest. Washington signed a surrender which he didn’t know contained a clause for him to accept responsibility for the death of the diplomat. Soon the French were posting the document all over Europe. A British assassination of a French official was grounds for a declaration of war. Washington as it seemed to the public was single handedly responsible for an incident he did not create. Later in the campaign Washington was again involved in the war, with a Major General Edward Braddock. Braddock’s orders were to defeat the French stronghold Fort Duquesne. Braddock severely underestimated the effect the Native Americans would have on the battle. What was supposed to be a quick shock and awe campaign turned into a seven year war that even upon the French surrender was continued by the Native Americans!