Braddock's Defeat

On July 9, 1755, British and colonial troops led by General Edward Braddock faced a decisive defeat against French and Native American forces at the Battle of the Monongahela, a turning point in the Seven Years' War in America. This unexpected rout not only shocked the colonial world but also marked the beginning of a burgeoning American identity, foreshadowing the political and social divides that would lead to the American Revolution. In "Braddock's Defeat," David Preston examines the complexities of this battle, highlighting the tactical superiority of the French and Indian forces while providing a nuanced account of its lasting impact on American history.