The Seven Years War
Battles
Battle on the plains of abraham
The Battle on the plains of abraham was one of the most important battles in canadian history because it's when britain defeated the French and took control of Canada. The battle was led by general Wolfe. After the british took down the louisenburg fortress they decided to take Quebec. They tried a few times and failed especially when they attacked near Montmorency falls because Quebec was on high ground and could see them coming. But, were determined to win so they adapted a new strategy of sneaking into Quebec by climbing up a steep cliff under the cover of darkness. This worked and they went on the plains of abraham which was the farmer that owned that land and prepared for battle. Montcalm and no choice but to fight so he ordered his troops from Montmorency falls to come. They fired altogether once then twice which inflicted much damage on the French so they started retreating. the French then surrendered Quebec.
Fighting strategies
The Thin Red line:
The Thin Red line was used by British soldiers to win the battle in the plains of abraham and was also used by them in the American revolutionary war. In this strategy british soldiers stood together, shoulder by shoulder in three lines which their guns loaded. After the they took over Quebec they adapted to this fighting strategy.
European vs Aboriginal fighting methods
European fighting methods were different from the fighting methods of aboriginals. Europeans tended to use guns and bullets while aboriginals used arrows.
The Treaty of Pairs
After Britain took over New France or Canada, France made the Treaty of Paris which was a treaty that allowed the french people still living in New France to stay in New France and other demands. Those were: that all senior government officials could return to France, that roman catholic religion could continue in Quebec, that french merchants could continue trading as usual and that french people wouldn't be forced to fight against France in the future. This last request was denied though because the people in Quebec were now under the rule of the British king.
The Quebec act
The Quebec act was made to accustom the french-canadian population to the English rule. This act granted freedom of religion and property rights to the french but, the North American empire didn't like this and was one of the five intolerable acts from 13 british colonies. This act was one of the reasons why the American revolutionary war was started.
Colonies
British Colonies
The british colonies came to New France to trade and create settlements. Their settlements were bigger and more permanent than french colonies which is why many first nations tribes preferred the french to the british.
French Colonies
French colonies before the war were focused on developing their land and converting the first nations to christianity. they had seigneurie where there were churches, homes for the farm families living there, a house for the seigneur and social and recreational areas. French people had different jobs too. The most popular jobs were soldiers, carpenters and masons. Other jobs included: tailors, merchants, bakers, butchers, millers, teachers etc. French colonies produced different crops to trade with different french colonies and to give back to France. They also traded with First Nations for furs. The french had very strong relationships with the Huron tribe.
General Montcalm and Wolfe
Both general Montcalm and Wolfe were generals in New France. Montcalm was a french general and Wolfe was a british general. They both got fatally wounded in the battle of the plains of abraham and died. They were really important in Canada's history because Wolfe was the one to lead the battle in abraham and Montcalm was the one who tried to defend Quebec. In the end, Britain ended up winning.
Causes of war
Hudson's Bay and the Fur trade
Hudson's Bay and the fur trading industry was a huge why
France and Britain wanted control over New France. The Hudson's Bay company was a trading industry where french or british settlers would trade for furs with the first nations in exchange for metal goods such as pots, pans or guns and other things like alcohol and beads. Trading was very lucrative because furs where highly valuable in the fashion industries where they were used to make mostly hats but also coats and other things. Through trading the french established relationships with the First Nations and even fought wars with them. The British didn't have the same relationships.
The Arcadians and the fall of arcadia
Arcadia was a french colony and was a target for many wars between the british and the french. Arcadia became a british colony after it was traded to the british instead of France's colonies in the caribbean after the treaty of Utrecht. The british wanted the acadians to leave because britain would be more vulnerable to attack but the arcadians denied. Another treaty was made that let the arcadians practice the catholic religion in return for not fighting for the french and being loyal to the british crown. They agreed to this treaty because they didn't want to fight and remain a neutral party. The british then tried to get the arcadians to sign a treaty called the Oath of allegiance saying that they were to fight against France in case of a war. They denied and were soon expelled from arcadia because they didn't sign a treaty.
The british also expelled them because they had a big relationship with the first nations tribe near them and the british was worried that the arcadians would turn against them. The british were also protestants and the acadians were catholics and people with those religions didn't get along and most acadians were french which were the enemy of the british. They were catholics and the british were protestants. The Acadians end up going to louisiana. The british eventually let them return to arcadia.
