Colonies built costly forts only where naval cannons threatened

Evidence

In a classic illustration of the ever-present balance between costs and benefits, British and Dutch colonies invested in earthworks and stone star forts only in locations where they were likely to encounter cannons. Forts Crown Point, Ligonier, Ontario, and Frederick, for example, all overlooked harbors or inland waterways, locations well within reach of the broadsides of warships from the major naval powers. Fortifications erected inland protected settlers from natives rather than navies, and returned to the timeless tradition of inexpensive, simple wooden palisades, punctuated occasionally by protruding towers or balconies. — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 521

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Long-range naval cannon were far less deadly than contemporaries believed — Garrett Mattingly, The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 709

Related

• Cannons collapsed castle defenses and drove a new star-fort architecture (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Long-range naval cannon were far less deadly than contemporaries believed #qualifies (0.60) — Garrett Mattingly, The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 709