The Seven Years

1
The Seven Years War
2
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

3
1750
4
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

5
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

6
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
• Its the beginning of the end for the French in NS

7
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

8
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

9
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

10
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

11
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

12
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

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Plains cont

• There are cliffs to one side of the plains which
  were unfortified
• Montcalm did not think anyone could climb
  thembut Wolfes men did
• Surprised, Montcalm attacked quickly
• Each side had approx. 4500 men

15
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

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Signal Hill- 1762

• By now the French and English have been fighting
  for about 8 years
• Earlier in the year the French took St. Johns
• The British want it back to keep control of the
  fisheries
• Sept. 15 at dawn, the British launch a surprise
  attack on Signal Hill

18
Signal Hill Cont

• The surprise worked and the French were defeated
  easily
• With this position fortified St. Johns was ceded
  by the French 3 days later
• This was the final battle of the Seven Years War
  in the Americas

19
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 Quebecs special
  position today