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Prehistory | 2 Worlds Meet | New France | England Arrives | Clash of Empires | Revolution | British America | Reform/Revolt | Responsible Government | Confederation | Nation Building | Laurier | The Great War | Roaring 20's | Great Depression | WWII | The Peace | Cold War | Trudeau | PC's in Power | Modern Canada
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English Colonies | France vs England | Fur Trade | HBC | The Mississippi | Le Petite Guerre | Containment | New France | Preparations | War | Treaty of Paris As the war exploded upon Europe and American the French General Montcalm quickly took to the field and led his forces down the Lake Champlain slot to Fort Oswego which he captured in 1756. This relived the French of the direct threat to their St Lawrence lifeline. The following year, 1757, he used Fort Ticonderoga to launch another attack on the English strongpoint of Fort William Henry. The French seemed to be unbeatable but they had not counted on Pitt, and his strategy.
The third British attacked landed upon Louisbourg with thundering effect as the British Navy broadsides caused the great walls of the fortress to crumble. General James Wolfe landed along the coast behind the fortress and Louisbourg fell. The sea lanes up the St Lawrence and into the heart of French North America were open. Montcalm had no choice and was forced to retreat back to the St Lawrence and his base of operations at Quebec City while leaving a token force at Ticonderoga to delay the British advance.. This was European war rather then the hit and run of the North American wilderness. Montcalm requests 4,000 additional troops from France to hold onto the French Empire in America. The French government decides not to send the troops and leaves Montcalm and his forces to hold on as best they can.
Quebec City now prepares for the inevitable arrival of the British at their gates. Canadians converge on the city to prepare to defend it. 106 additional cannon are placed on the walls of the fortress city. To the east of the city, defensive preparations are stepped up. 15,000 French defenders are now ready for the 200 British ships on their way of the St Lawrence under the British Admiral Saunders. 9,000 soldiers and 18,000 sailors form this impressive invasion force. General James Wolfe leads this British force and is charged with capturing Quebec City in 1759 before the winter sets in and the river freezes. The British make their camp on an Island in the river across from Quebec City and plan their attack. The initial British comes at Beauport where the French defenses prove to be strong enough to repeal the assault. |
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| The assault at Beauport |
With time running out and winter coming, Wolfe finds an undefended point up river from Quebec and lands his troops on September 12, 1759. By the time Montcalm and the French troops are able to react the British have scaled the cliffs and have assembled in order on the Plains of Abraham which are just outside of the city walls.
Montcalm marches his troops out of the city, assembles and attacks the British. A bloody battle ensues which results in a French defeat and the death of both Montcalm and Wolfe. Quebec city falls and with it the centuries long dream of a New France dream in North America.
