American front led to near-constant repression and devastation of its troops and colonial
residents. Nonetheless, the adoption of open-minded situational analysis led Britain to massive
developments in planning, diplomacy, logistics, operations, strategy, and tactics, making it the
most advanced naval force. The reason Britain trumped over French troops in the French and
Indian War in the North America confrontation is not because of the military technology
supremacy or stable economic backgrounds compared to their French rivals, but primarily
because of their military tactics and military on the battlefield. Both the French and British forces
engaged in guerilla tactics and standard tactics; British troops applied a hybrid approach that
proved advantageous on the ground. 1 . The inability of French frontiers to integrate the two
strategies exposed their underbellies despite being more experienced in irregular approaches. The
guerilla warfare approach that emerged during the War proved timeless, reoccurring later in
American history later in the Revolutionary War, Vietnam confrontation, and more recent
missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The French and Indian War implies the confrontation between British and French troops
in Northern Africa from 1754 until 1763 2 . This conflict was part of the massive conflict between
Spain, Britain, France, and others. Towards mid the 18 th century, Europeans were already
colonizing North America where France, Spain, and England claimed territories, although not all
lands were agreed upon. The territory between France and British colonies led to most of the
confrontation during the French and Indian War. Soldiers and colonists engaged each other,
1 Devorah S. Manekin, "Regular Soldiers, Irregular War," Violence and Restraint in the Second
Intifada, 2020, xx, doi:10.7591/Cornell/9781501750434.001.0001.
2 Manekin, Regular Soldiers, Irregular War
Surname 3
claiming the most arable regions. The highly contested land lay around the Great Lakes, Ohio
River, St. Lawrence River valleys. When the French colonists began constructing forts, Britain's
reaction was sending troops to enforce her land claims and push the French out of the region.
In the modern-day U.S. military context, guerilla tactics are considered unconventional
warfare. This little confrontation comprises a light infantry that shifts rapidly and applies hit-and-
run techniques. These approaches are still applied by U.S Special forces, particularly Army
rangers. The North American guerilla warfare first emerged during the French Indian War,
championed by the founder of the Rangers, Major Robert Rogers 3 . Such military approaches
were considered uncivilized, frontier, savage, mountain, and irregular warfare during this era.
However, guerilla tactics were vitally crucial for both sides in the confrontation, arguably, a
significant factor for Britain’s victory.
For Native Americans, wilderness warfare was mastery, and irregular tactics were
habitual to them. These tactics were further refined as Natives continuously confronted European
colonists. Since the technologies of the natives were inferior to European weaponry, the most
effective approach was surprises attacks and ambushes. At the onset of the French and Indian
War, French and British forces had begun appreciating the invaluable significance of native
Americans being on their side 4 . Consequently, both troops moved with urgency to solidify
alliances with regional tribes. Although indispensable for their unique skillset, the Natives would
become the best and worst allies for British and French troops because they were not loyal to
either side. Instead, they made alliances with the most convenient sides in different situations.
3 Ben Davis, "What Style of Fighting Did the British Use in the French and Indian War?," Access
Denied | Www.mvorganizing.org Used Cloudflare to Restrict Access, last modified 2021,
https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-style-of-fighting-did-the-british-use-in-the-french-and-
indian-war/.
4 Davis, What Style of Fighting Did the British Use in the French and Indian War?
Surname 4
Besides, the tribes were highly fragmented, making it impossible to survive without European
allies. At the onset of the War, the French had numerous diplomatic ties with Natives, who
decamped when the French military leadership began to flounder. With the numerous
complexities in the North American theatre, British forces understood they could not rely on
Native American tribes solely for their wilderness tactics and skills. They saw the need for
developing their wilderness combat force. Amid the apparent disruptions, Native American
tribes proved fruitful due to their mastery of irregular warfare.
At the start of the confrontations, British military leaders discouraged colonists from
using irregular tactics. During this time, tensions were high for political reasons between Britain
and American colonists who were enraged they could not command their troops their way and
lack of pay by the British. The British commanders understood that a win in the campaign
required integrating regular and irregular tactics to capture Quebec. 5 . Although Britain had an
option of using conventional strategies alone and needless to master wilderness tactics, it would
be hazardous because it relied on the ability to place a substantial troop ashore and sustain it to
the successful seizure of the fortified city wintry conditions.
Amid the significant delays by the British forces, light infantry in the British army traces
back to the French and Indian War in Northern America. In regular European warfare, infantry
troops delivered mass fire on enemies’ lines. This required discipline to work under extreme
combat stress 6 . The significance of raids, chaos, and seizing villages that delayed the enemy's
5 Ben Davis, "What Style of Fighting Did the British Use in the French and Indian War?," Access
Denied | Www.mvorganizing.org Used Cloudflare to Restrict Access, last modified 2021,
https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-style-of-fighting-did-the-british-use-in-the-french-and-
indian-war/.
6 Gary Sheftick, "Rangers Among First Leaders of America's Army," Www.army.mil, last
modified 2016,
https://www.army.mil/article/80795/rangers_among_first_leaders_of_americas_army
Surname 5
progress was primal for the campaign. British leaders recognized the role of American troops in
the woods compared to European regulars. As a result, Rogers instilled in his rangers
instrumental wilderness tactics that are still relevant in the training of the U.S Army Rangers to
date.
Guerilla, savage, wilderness, and irregular warfare was instrumental for British triumph
in the French and Indian War. Conquering over French forces called for intricate coordination of
regular and irregular soldiers, tactics, intelligence, and sane leadership. The decision of British
military leaders to combine regular and irregular tactics was instrumental for their victory.
Despite being branded uncivilized, controversial, and unconventional, implementing wilderness
warfare was critical for the victory of the British campaign in the northern theatre. The new
frontier demanded a new military approach. The irregular approach for the War served American
troops better than British soldiers. The fighting and leadership skills American colonists drew
from the French and Indian War applied in the American Revolution War. Besides, the
application of guerilla warfare and intelligence proved to be eventful for British loss. The victory
in the use of guerilla skills served as the beginning of what has become the world's strongest
military force.
Surname 6
Bibliography
Davis, Ben. "What Style of Fighting Did the British Use in the French and Indian War?" Access
Denied | Www.mvorganizing.org Used Cloudflare to Restrict Access. Last modified
2021. https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-style-of-fighting-did-the-british-use-in-the-
french-and-indian-war/.
Manekin, Devorah S. "Regular Soldiers, Irregular War." Violence and Restraint in the Second
Intifada, 2020. doi:10.7591/Cornell/9781501750434.001.0001.
Sheftick, Gary. "Rangers Among First Leaders of America's Army." Www.army.mil. Last
modified 2016.
https://www.army.mil/article/80795/rangers_among_first_leaders_of_americas_army.