the Fall of New
France
The 7 years war
Conflict: France vs. Britain
• Conflict over control of the Fur Trade
o (economic battles, skirmishes, and settlement
expansion to control land)
• Join wars: King William’s war (168997), Queen Ann’s War (1701-13),
War of Austrian Succession (1740-48)
• Pieces of land in N America switch
hands several times as result
• Final conflict/ fight for the Continent
= 7 years war
Expansion leading to 7 year’s war
• Britain: HBC expanding/ controlling
land around Hudson’s Bay
• French construct Louisbourg Fortress
on Cape Breton Island (Nova
Scotia)on mouth of St. Lawrence to
protect fur trade in Quebec, fishing
on Grand Banks
• As result, Britain Builds fortress of
Halifax (Nova Scotia)
• Britain Deports the Acadians
(see p. 67/ 68 Canada: revisited)
7 Year’s War (map p. 70)
1. 13 colonies want to expand
westward, but are blocked by
French in Ohio River Valley
o
Conflict breaks out – WAR!!!
2. Britain attacks and defeats
Louisbourg (opens way to
Quebec)
3. Britain captures Fort Frontenac in
Ohio River Valley – driving
French to last major holding:
Quebec
Battle for Quebec (map p. 71)
• British forces commander: James Wolfe
(young, and often sick, just had victory
at Louisbourg)
• Quebec (French) commander: Marquis
de Montcalm (conflicts with governor of
Quebec – less effective leadership)
1. Wolfe fires Cannons/ attacks Quebec
from river (lasts 3 months)
2. French send out fire ships - fail
3. Montcalm waits in fortress knowing
winter will force Britain to leave, and he
can get reinforcements in winter
Battle for Quebec (map p. 71)
4. Wolfe burns deserted farms (trying
to lessen men in Quebec)
5. New Plan: Wolfe sneaks men to a
small cove at night, and has 4500
soldiers facing Quebec on the Plains of
Abraham at Dawn
6. Montcalm believes he can beat
English without reinforcements and
leaves Quebec to fight
7. French Misfire early, Wolfe waits to
last moment to fire
Battle for Quebec (map p. 71)
8. Battle lasts 15 minutes – French
Retreat to Quebec
9. Both Wolfe and Montcalm are
killed
10. Crucial battle – Quebec will
soon fall, then Montreal
11. 1763: France surrenders and
New France officially belongs to
Britain
Questions
1. Why did the 7 years’ war begin?
2. Why was the fortress of Louisbourg so important for
the British to capture?
3. Read the Description of both Wolfe and Montcalm
on p. 74. Which do you think is a better leader?
Use facts on this page to explain your choice.
4. Why do you think Montcalm left the fortress of
Quebec to fight the British on the Plains of
Abraham?
5. Explain why the French lost the Seven years war