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French begin building forts along Ohio River
Building forts along the Ohio River started back in mid seventeenth century by Intendant Talon. The goal was to protect and extend the French interests in the fur trade and to cement alliances with the Aboriginals living in the vast territories of Quebec. Roland-Michel Barrin de la Galissonière, commandant-general of New France, extended the fortifications trying to ensure French control over the region and to keep the Thirteen colonies contained. -
7 Years War begins
The Seven Years' War was a struggle to maintain colonial territory, economic wealth and power on the European continent, and in lands far removed from Europe. William Pitt sent one quatre of the British navy, 200 ships, and at least 23 000 troops to conquer New France. Many Aboriginals sided with the French because they treated them with more respect. The governor of Quebec, Pierre Vaudreuil, and the French general Montcalm, clashed over how to wage battles and defend the colony of Quebec. -
William Pitt becomes Prime Minister of Britain
William Pitt became Prime Minister of Britain in 1757. He began to concentrate British forces on defeating France in North America. He sent a quatre of the British navy, 200 ships, and at least 23 000 troops to conquer New France. -
British attack at Fort Carillon
In July 1758, a British force of 15000 soldiers, largest army amassed in North America at that time, attacked Montcalm and the French at Fort Carillon. Montcalm had only 3600 soldiers, but kept the British at bay, though there was a heavy loss of life. Jefferey Amherst had laid a siege to Louisbourg, and the tide began to turn against the French. -
Fall of Louisbourg
Louisbourg served as a base for the French navy and protected the entrance to the St. Lawrence River, and offered refuge for French pirates who captured ships belonging to New Englanders. General Jeffery Amherst laid siege to the fort and began bombardment. On July 26, 1758, Drucour finally surrendered to Amherst. The people of Louisbourg were deported to France. William Pitt ordered the town to be completely demolished. -
General Wolfe ordered to conquer Quebec
Early 1759, General Wolfe started out from London under instructions from King George II and William Pitt to conquer Quebec. He brought with him 29 ships, 22 frigates, 80 transport ships, and 55 smaller ships. These ships carried 15000 soldiers. Amoung on board were surgeons, protestant ministers, children and their parents, and livestock. -
Siege of Quebec City
The bombardment began on July 27, 1759 and lasted nine weeks. Homes, churches, warehouses, convents and streets in Quebec were destroyed. General Wolfe ordered the habitants' farms and livestock be destroyed for 150 miles along the St. Lawrence. General Montcalm was not optimistic about the French chances for winning the battle. -
Battle on the Plains of Abraham
On the British side were the Irish, Scottish, and English, as well as the militia from the Thirteen Colonies. On the French side were the soldiers from France, French-Canadian militia, Acadians, and Iroquoian and Algonkian allies. Before Governor Vaudreuil and Colonel Louis-Antoine came with reinforcements, Quebec was lost, and French rule in Canada was over. The battle lasted 3 hours with 220 French and Canadian dead, and 400 wounded. Wolfe died in battle, and Montcalm died the day after. -
Articles of Capitulation
On September 8, 1760, Vaudreuil signed the Articles of Capitulation and surrendered the whole of New France to General Amherst. Amherst took possession of the town Montreal in the name of the British Crown. The French-Canadian militia were allowed to evacuate the town and any other French possession in Canada. The French clergy and seigneurs were able to keep their rights and privileges. -
The Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation set the boundaries and govermental policies of the colony of Quebec. The ultimate authority in the colonies would be the governors appointed by the English. council and British parliament and House of Lords. The governors had power to settle land. British military offers and common soldiers were to be given land grants to encourage them to settle in Quebec. The proclamation was designed to counteract the fears of the Aboriginals over the loss of their land. -
The Treaty of Paris
The treaty was signed on February 10, 1763, by England, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Prussia. There were no representatives for the Aboriginals in North America at the signing. With the signing of the of the treaty, New France became the British colony of Quebec. James Murray became the first general of the colony. Quebec was to be ruled as a British crown colony, seperate from the Thirteen Colonies. In some ways, life continued as before, but in other ways life had changed. -
Pontiac Signs Peace Treaty with English
Pontiac was an Ottawa (Odawa) war chief, and had fought as an ally of the French at Montreal. He signed the Peace Treaty in 1765, in which he stated that the French surrender to the British of their forts did not mean the Aboriginal lands had been surrendered. Pontiac wanted the Aboriginals to rid themselves of their dependence on European goods and return to their traditional way of life.
