The Seven Years’ War

1750

• France and England are the two greatest powers in the world

• France has a great army

• England has a great navy

• They are in direct competition in the Americas

• Something has got to give

1750

1750 Cont…

• Frontiers in North America were in dispute

• Both sides laid claim to NS, Acadia and the Grand Banks

• The area in dispute went south into modern-day states of Pennsylvania and Louisiana

• Peace talks in Europe amounted to nothing

1752-1753

• French attack Iroquois in the Ohio Valley who trade with the British

• They set up garrisons and forts in the region

• In October 1753, Major George Washington delivers orders to the French to leave

• These orders are rejected

1754- This Means War!

• The British begin attacking back• Battles ensue over the next few years• In 1755, Lt. Colonel Robert Monckton

takes Fort Beausejour (near NS and Acadia)• This cut Louisbourg off from land-based

reinforcements• It’s the beginning of the end for the French

in NS

The Great Upheaval

• Took place from 1755-1763• After taking Fort Beausejour, the English

do not trust the Acadians• Acadians speak French, but claim they are a

separate nation from France and have no alliance with the French

• The English try to get them to swear an oath of loyalty to England

Upheaval Cont…

• Acadians want to remain neutral and do not wish to swear an oath to anyone

• The English then begin the expulsion• Acadians are forcibly removed from their

homes• Families are split up and relocated all across

the continent• This is one of the biggest disgraces of our

history

1756- Europe• 1756- War breaks out (Seven Years’ War)• England and Prussia against France,

Austria, Russia, and others• This is considered the first “global war”• France concentrates most of its troops to

Europe leaving fewer troops in the Americas

• Prussia has a great army, so England is free to send more troops to colonies

1758- Louisbourg

• This is the last great French fort East of Quebec. It could:– Help re-supply Quebec forts– Launch attacks upon the British on the St.

Lawrence– Nearest outpost to France

• It had to go if Britain wanted to win

Louisbourg Cont…• May 1758- British Naval forces leave

Halifax for the attack

• There are nearly 200 ships and 14,000 men

• By June 25th the entire French Navy at Louisbourg is destroyed

• One month later (26-July) Louisbourg fell to the British

• This ended French power in Atlantic Canada

The Plains of Abraham

• With Louisbourg gone the French power resided in Quebec

• On Sept. 13, 1759 the British attack

• Brits are led by Major-General James Wolfe

• French led by Lt. General the Marquis de Montcalm

Plains cont…

• There are cliffs to one side of the plains which were unfortified

• Montcalm did not think anyone could climb them…but Wolfe’s men did

• Surprised, Montcalm attacked quickly

• Each side had approx. 4500 men

Plains Cont…• The English troops were regulars, but the

French were largely militia• The fight was short, but both Wolfe and

Montcalm were mortally wounded• Wolfe was shot in the chest and stomach• As he was lying on the field he watched the

French retreating. He gave orders to his men to give chase, then died

• Montcalm died the next morning of a stomach wound

Signal Hill- 1762

• By now the French and English have been fighting for about 8 years

• Earlier in the year the French took St. John’s

• The British want it back to keep control of the fisheries

• Sept. 15 at dawn, the British launch a surprise attack on Signal Hill

Signal Hill Cont…

• The surprise worked and the French were defeated easily

• With this position fortified St. John’s was ceded by the French 3 days later

• This was the final battle of the Seven Year’s War in the Americas

Result- Treaty of Paris

• The Treaty of Paris was signed Feb. 10, 1763

• England gained all the French territory in Canada and east of the Mississippi

• French settlements in Quebec were given rights to remain as a distinct society

• This formed the basis for Quebec’s special position today