The Seven Years War Part 1 (from People’s History)
FN and their French allies are attacking Brit settlements in
Ohio valley.
The English in the 13 Colonies have a clear goal:
One language one religion one nation – English and
Protestant
Benjamin Franklin: “By the principle of doubling of
population of 1 million every 25 years means in 100 years
more than England.”
13 Colonies believe they must expand west into Ohio
valley claimed by French and FN.
Settlers moving into Ohio valley despite danger.
1755 French and FN stop the move into the Ohio Valley
Fr control North America by system of FN alliances
Therefore 13 believe they must destroy French power in
North America.
1756 France and England go to war in Europe. So war in
NA too.
Marquis de Montcalm is sent by France to defend NF. He
does not like or trust most Can officers.
Canadian fight FN style by ambush and attacking Br
settlements
Montcalm captures two forts in New York
France is winning in Europe
William Pitt an English leader decides a new plan. Defeat
France in colonies not in Europe. Attack Quebec from the
sea and land with a massive force.
British capture Lousibourg in 1758 by James Wolfe.
The British advancing from New York outnumber the
French 4-1, but the French fight well
Montcalm begs France for more troops, but France
refuses.
The Seven Years War Part 2 (from People’s History)
1759 British general Wolfe brings a fleet of 200 ships (1/4
of entire British Navy) including 9,000 soldiers and 18,000
sailors up the St. Lawrence River to attack Quebec.
June 26, the British fleet anchors on the south shore of
the St. Lawrence, across from Quebec. The French have
dug trenches and placed canon along the north shore.
The French send a group of ships and rafts loaded with
flammable items and explosives to burn the British fleet,
but it explodes too soon.
Wolfe bombards the city of Quebec to wear down the
French. Most French civilians have left the city.
Wolfe sends soldiers across the river and attacks the
French trenches, but the French defeat the British.
Wolfe is frustrated, so decides to destroy the farms and
food stores around Quebec to starve Quebec.
If Quebec does not surrender by winter, the British will be
forced to leave to avoid being frozen in on the river.
On Sept. 16, Wolfe launches a surprise crossing of the St.
Lawrence by his army at night. They climb the cliffs up to
Quebec and prepare to battle the French in front of the
French fort at the Plains of Abraham.
The French decide to fight the British there and the
British win. Both Wolfe and Montcalm are killed in the
battle.
Fighting continued in North America in to 1760 and in
other parts of the world until 1763. Britain won the war
and now controlled all of North America. However
France kept 2 small islands off of Newfoundland for
fishing – St. Pierre and Miquelon.