SOME SPOILERS IN THIS TOPIC FROM THE INFO WE GOT FROM GAME INFORMER
It's kind of early, but because I love early American history, and because I saw people confusing Civil War with Revolutionary War and a lot of questions regarding what potential characters we might see and moments we could see given the 1753-1783 timeline, I'm going to give a brief rundown of events during this period and then people can discuss what they feel make good moments in ACIII or just ask for elaboration on specific moments.
There's no way to be comprehensive in a thread like this, so feel free to add your thoughts on who would make a good character or a good moment in history!
Here's some guesses at who Connor/Ratohnhaketon might meet being half-mohawk indian, half-English.
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Important MOHAWK players
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Thayendanegea - or Joseph Brant - fits perfectly for many reasons. As a prominent Mohawk war chief during some of the years AC3 takes place, he also met key players during this time such as George Washington and King George III. But more interestingly, he was a freemason and fought - like most Mohawk warriors - on the side of the British during the Revolutionary War. His role in such iconic moments as the Cherry Valley Massacre make him perfect for insertion. His sister played a similarly prominent role in the course of early American history.
Konwatsi'tsiaienni - or Molly Brant - was an ardent defender of staying on the side of the British during the Revolutionary War, and participated in many events that had some real impact. She provided shelter and provisions to loyalists fleeing to Canada. And during the siege of Patriots in Fort Stanwix, Brant learned that Patriot reinforcements were coming and managed to inform the British, which led to their ambush. Later she acted as a sort of de facto diplomatic between Iroquois Nation individuals and the British.
Joseph Louis Cook - or Akiatonharónkwen - was well known as being one of the few Mohawk who fought on the side of the Americans during the Revolutionary War. But what makes him a great candidate for a lifelong character in Assassin's Creed timeline is he also fought in the French and Indian War. He served with Benedict Arnold during the Rev War, and became known as "Colonel Cook" for most of the war. He was engaged in so many important battles, from the Saratoga Campaign, to Valley Forge, to Oriskany that he has the potential to appear about everywhere.
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IMPORTANT AMERICAN PLAYERS
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Benjamin Franklin as we know was gone during most of the Revolutionary War, participating in one of the most important diplomatic missions in American history. He was also so old during that time that he likely would not have been a great Da Vinci like inventory gadget guy for the whole game. But during the early parts of the game - 1754~1756, he has some interesting actions. He went with a delegation to Albany on a mission to improve relations with the Indians (thus a link to our Native American hero, perhaps?), and was the first in America to propose a plan for a union of the colonies. It was rejected at the time, but became a foundational document for the Articles of Confederation decades later. In 56, he put together the Pennsylvania Militia which among other things was used to fight Native American uprisings. And what many don't know is that Benjamin Franklin was that during the French/Indian War he was a commander during the Gnadenhütten campaign, and achieved moderate success. Afterwards, Benjamin Franklin leaves frequently for England and France, and is in America for only brief periods of times after 1756.
George Washington needs no introduction, but of course we can see how we might meet him in the early parts of the game. Although he made several major missteps during the French/Indian War, he did distinguish himself overall and even earned the moniker "hero of Monongahela" for his help organizing one particular retreat. He famously said he felt alive when under fire. He was, as many know, a Templar... which is going to make for some interesting features to this game. What's going to be most fascinating his Washington's time during the Revolutionary War. Assassin's Creed 3 takes place in Boston and New York (as well as Concord, Lexington, etc), and as anyone who knows the history of 1776, Washington made several catastrophic mistakes that quite very nearly destroyed the continental army. In particular, several battles that took place in New York showed him as a borderline incompetent, and the Congress lost so much confidence in him he almost lost his station. He eventually redeemed himself, but not until later... and in battles that frequently took place away from where this game is staged.
Charles Lee is an interesting figure during the War. Intensely critical of George Washington's handling of the war, he was himself a distinguished war hero who played a critical role in repulsing the British army at Charleston during the battle of Sullivan's Island. When he returned to New York, he was consistently shocked at the way Washington led, as well as being intensely envious of his station, and wrote many letters to Congress to ask he be put in charge of the continental army. During the retreat out of New York, Lee was supposed to meet up with Washington in Pennsylvania. Being bitter and resentful, he intentionally used delay tactics and slogged so slowly that eventually the British came upon him in a tavern and he was captured while he was still wearing his night gown on December 12, 1776. Lee was released shortly after in an exchange, and in one of the most notorious bumbles of the war, ignored Washington's orders at Monmouth, issued a retreat instead of the attack required of him, and was promptly court martialed and relieved of duty. An interesting sidenote: in 1857, a note was found written by Lee which showed that while he was captured, he had written up detailed plans for the British on how they could defeat the Americans. So it is unclear if Monmouth was intentional treachery or not.
John Adams is almost certainly to appear, given his prominence in Boston and his pivotal role in the founding of our country. From a very early point, he believed America should declare independence even when most did not. He gained prominence as an objective mediator as he successfully defended the soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. He was also one of the core group of five who were commissioned to write the Declaration of Independence. He was a stubborn, unhappy man who was always complaining in letters he wrote to his wife, Abigail Adams, who most historians suggest had the respect of Adams to such a degree that her advice frequently directly led to Adams making decisions on her word. It was a remarkable relationship that continued until the day Abigail died. He was bitterly envious of Benjamin Franklin (and, well, almost everyone actually), yet begrudgingly admired his intellect. In one hilarious anecdote, Adams and Franklin are forced to share a room. Franklin goes to open the window, and Adam grumbles that he will catch a cold. Franklin proceeds then to explain in detail his theory on why the opposite is true, and Adams apparently remained enraptured by the explanation... as they shared a bed.
Thomas Paine might appear during the Revolutionary War, as he wrote Common Sense, a pamphlet which galvanized the American people and convinced many to sign up for the continental army (which was, at the time, badly beaten and losing more ranks every day). I can conceive of several mission types that might occur should he appear, that might even relate to his pamphlet.
Thomas Jefferson is a difficult choice. Although pivotal in the creation of the Deceleration of Independence, he spent most of his time during the Revolutionary War in Virginia and would not have been in any of the places the game takes place in the vast majority of the time. Given his stature in the mythology of Early American history, it must be a temptation to have him included... and as he was also an avid learner and tinkerer, he could play several roles.
Nathanael Greene played huge roles in throughout the war, and quickly became one of Washington's most trusted generals. His roles in Boston and New York make him, in my estimation, almost certain to appear, and he's a rather interesting figure in his own right: As a Quaker he was always against war, and yet immediately showed an affinity for it. He was also a freemason, and actually advocated the burning of NYC as they retreated so that the British would get no use of it. Washington agreed with him, but Congress denied it.
Benedict Arnold is actually a far more complex figure than the comically black and white strokes people paint him in. He was an ardent supporter of the American cause early on. He proposed and then participated in an attack and capture of Fort Ticonderoga add Fort Saint-Jean, which was extremely successful. Yet he got little credit and when the Connecticut militia force arrived, he promptly resigned his post and left. So again urged by Arnold, Congress authorized an invasion of Quebec... and he got passed over for the expedition. He then went to George Washington and proposed an attack on Quebec City, and led men there... but his leg was crushed in battle, and even though he was promoted to brigadier general, the credit for the campaign was frequently given to others. In 1777, he was passed over for a promotion he wanted again by Congress, and it was so clearly politically motivated that Washington wrote Congress in Arnold's defense. Things came to a head when he was appointed military commander of Philadelphia. He languished there, plotting ways to make money, until his political enemies amassed evidence until they charge him in public. When nobody came to his aid to clear his name, he felt it was the final straw, and began plotting to join the British. And the rest is history.
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IMPORTANT BRITISH PLAYERS
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Thomas Gage was the Governor of Massachusetts from 1774, right after the Boston Tea Party and began to implement a series of actions - including the Boston Port act - that quickly enraged the Boston community and led to many key moments in the start of the Revolutionary War. Because we know Lexington and Concord are in the game, it makes sense Gage would be here - he ordered British troops early on to march on Concord, since rebels were stockpiling weapons. In what became known as The Battle of Lexington and Concord - one of the very earliest true battles in the Revolutionary War - the Americans ended up routing the British, with over 270 casualties on the British side and only around 90 for the Americans. He then ended up being a key player during The Siege of Boston, where he offered pardons for anyone who turned their weapons down and pledged allegiance once more to the crown. It was a disastrous campaign, for even though the British eventually removed the Americans, the casualties were ghastly and it proved that this might not be so easy a rebellion to squash. Gage left America in 1775.
General Howe is a British character that could be established early on the game, considering his participation in the Seven Years War. He was in America during the French and Indian War, and distinguished himself significantly during various battles including Beaufort, The Plains of Abraham and The Siege of Quebec. During the Revolutionary War, he was one of the primary players in the fight against the rebels in the early parts of the Revolutionary War. He helped win the victory in The Battle of Bunker Hill at Boston, but the cost was terrible. He was famed to have said "It was a success ... too dearly bought." After this, it apparently scarred his psyche - people around him stated he started commanding differently, his own leadership subject to fail him at any time. He invaded New York and roused the rebels, who were eventually forced to retreat into New Jersey - especially after the capture of thousands of rebels at Fort Washington. He had to deal with a major fire in the city during this time period and in the end was embarrassed in New Jersey as he failed to properly pursue the rebels and in a series of miscalculations, allowed the Hessians in Trenton to be routed, lost a second battle in Trenton and a third in Princeton, before Washington's army got away again. This occurred due to Washington's iconic crossing of the Delaware, by the way. In 1777, Howe resigned his position.
John Burgoyne and Henry Clinton are two others who had prominent roles during various aspects of the war for the British. Burgoyne in particular came up with the Saratoga Campaign, which might have been successful had Howe joined his forces with his as he thought would happen. Even still, initially there was some success before eventually being decimated by the patriots, leading to the biggest victory for the Americans yet up until that point. It absolutely electrified the country and recruitment swelled around the colonies. Henry Clinton took command after Howe resigned his position as commander of the British armies in America, and although he gained some early momentum with a daring march, he largely commanded an army who was now starting to face ever growing defeats once the French began to commit more funds and ships.
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TIMELINE
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We've got 1753-1783 as the basic timeline of Assassin's Creed III. I'll try to list events I think may be in the game, but you guys can add your own ideas.
1753 will apparently be when our hero Connor's Mohawk village is destroyed.
1754 The French and Indian War breaks out. I don't believe this is a coincidence, I'm certain there will be quite a number of events during this time that ACIII takes advantage of.
1758 The English suffer a embarrassing defeat at Fort Ticonderoga. They lose over 2000 men. As an aside, the first Indian Reservation in America is founded this same year.
1760 Boston suffers a devastating fire which destroys much of the city. And the fated George III becomes King of England.
1763 The French and Indian War ends with the British getting all territory east of the Mississippi (except New Orleans).
1764 The Currency Act is passed, which prevents any colony from creating its own legal tender money. This threatens to destroy the economy in the colonies, and is the first time that the colonies begin to unite behind a common cause against some law imposed by the King. James Otis is the first person to proclaim "no taxation without representation", and Boston merchants start a boycott against Britain.
1765 The Stamp Act is passed, imposing a tax on the people to offset the cost of the British military in America. All printed materials are taxed. This enrages the colonists. The Quartering Act is also passed, requiring any American to house and feed British soldiers at will. This starts a series of events. Patrick Henry begins to present resolution after resolution in Virginia describing why the taxes are illegal. The Sons of Liberty are formed, attacking any agent of the British Stamp act and forcing them all to resign. Congress prepares a petition that claims that taxation without representation violates their civil rights. Violence breaks out around the colonies in November as business essentially grinds to a halt as nobody will use stamps.
1766 Thomas Gage had asked late in 1765 to the New York assembly to enforce the Quartering Act; in 1766 they blankly refuse. Benjamin Franklin goes to parliament and argues why the stamp act is wrong; King George III signs a repeal of the act. This emboldens the colonists for around five seconds before on the same day the act is repealed, parliament issues a declaration stating that the British government has the right to pass and legislate any and all laws it damn well pleases. In August, violence breaks out in New York with the colonists and British soldiers as they continue to refuse to listen to the Quarter Act. The English Crown suspends the NY legislature.
1767 Now a bold parliament passes the Townshend Revenue Acts, which imposes yet another series of unwanted taxes on an unrepresented colony. Glass, tea... paper... many pivotal items continue to be taxed. The Boston boycott begins anew.
1768 Throughout the year, many acts of aggression occur. A british war ship sails into Boston harbor and is eventually forced to leave. New York joins the boycott. Residents in Boston and New York have begun to be urged to arm themselves. The British return with several regiments of soldiers and begin to essentially occupy Boston.
1769 Boycott spreads to Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia.
1770 The legendary Boston Massacre. A mob gathers and throw ice, rocks, and more at the soldiers stationed. The soldiers, fearing for their lives, fire pointblank into the crowd, killing five and injuring six. Crispus Attucks becomes the first African American to die in the American Revolution as a result of this massacre. The Townshend Revenue Act is repealed. John Adams defends the soldiers involved in the massacre, successfully.
1772 Sam Adams and a 21 member committee endorse three proclamations stating the colonists right to self-rule.
1773 The Tea Act is imposed by Britain. It maintains the tax on imported tea, but more significantly it gives the British East India Company a virtual monopoly, destroying American merchants who can't compete. Meetings are held throughout Philadelphia and Boston to decide what action to take. Ultimately, it is decided that they will send the ships with tea back to England without paying taxes. Governor of Massachusetts, Hutchinson, disagrees and demands the ship not leave without the taxes being paid. Thus the Boston Tea Party occurs that night, on December 16, where colonists disguised as Mohawk indians dump the tea into the harbor.
1774 Parliament responds with vicious acts, essentially saying all commercial shipping to Boston ends until the taxes are paid. General Thomas Gage puts Boston under military rule. This is followed by a series of acts passed by parliament basically stripping the colonists of Massachusetts of any and all power to self-rule. The First Continent Congress which includes many of our famous founding fathers decides to issue a Declaration and Resolve, opposing all the acts the British government has been trying to impose on the colonies without representation. "life, liberty and property". They also impose a new boycott on all exports and imports, including slaves.
1775 The march toward war begins. Patrick Henry declares "give me liberty or give me death!" in Virginia. Governor Gage is given the power to suppress the rebels. He decides to go to Concord and take out the weapons depot there, but the Bostonians find out and Paul Revere and William Dawes ride out to warn those in Lexington and Concord about the British coming. The Battle of Lexington and Concord begin and end, with the British facing a surprising loss.
1776-1783
1776 of course being the year the Deceleration of Independence is signed, an effective death warrant for all involved should they lose the war.
Since the events during this time encompass so much, this will be fun to speculate precisely what battles and events they follow. The Siege of Boston seems obvious. The attack on New York and Fort Washington. The Delaware Crossing, taking out Trenton, Princeton. So many amazing stories.
The war of course ends in 1783, which is conveniently when the timeline of ACIII ends.
DISCUSS what events and people you want to see covered!
