THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR

Battle for a ContinentThe “First” World War

Importance of the Seven Years’ War Involved many countries and colonies: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America,

and the Caribbean

Britain, Prussia and Hanover vs. France, Austria, Sweden, Saxony, Russia and Spain

Britain

Britain did not fight in Europe (Prussian & German allies did this)

Focused on destroying the French colonies and merchant fleets gain commercial superiority.

France’s military was tied down helping their ally – Austria

could do little outside Europe

Causes

The protestant nations in Germany were allied under the Prussians attacked the Austrians (who were allied to the French)

The British, because of their ties to Germany (Hanover) were willing to join in – against the French. They had already been at war with them

anyway in NA for the last 2 years.

The French and Indian War: The New World 1754 - French-Native force expelled British

colonists from the Ohio valley. Region was in dispute over illegal immigration

by the British

Major George Washington tried to retaliate by attacking a French detachment Washington was forced to surrender

This is the beginning of fighting in North America

The British Attack …again The British send reinforcements and

plan a 3 prong attack on the French.

1. Maritimes (Fort Beausejour)

2. Lake Champlain River Valley, and Niagara

3. Up the Ohio River- Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh)

The French Prepare

French reinforce Louisbourg before British can attack British attack in Acadia (Fort Beausejour)

British discover local Acadians armed in the fort.

Result = deportation of the Acadians (1755)

The Grand Derangement

War officially declared in 1756!!!!!

Oath of Allegiance

The Deportation

French Re-engage

More French troops arrive under the Marquis de Montcalm

Had limited resources - keep the British on the defensive

Canadian and Aboriginal raids wear down the frontier settlements of the British colonies

British send another 23,000 troops to contain the threat and blockade the French ports

The Tide Turns

1758 - the tide turned against the French

Louisburg captured – opens up Quebec for attack

Fort Frontenac (Kingston, ON)

French cannot send more troops to Montcalm

Each reversal dwindles his available reserves of soldiers.

1759 Plains of Abraham

Major General James Wolfe brings 9000 men to Quebec

On September 13 1759, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham ends with the defeat of Montcalm and Quebec surrenders

A year later the French besiege the British in Quebec British Navy sails up the St. Lawrence and lifts

the siege

Occupation

New France officially surrenders on September 8, 1760

New France falls under British military occupation

Back in Europe…

France and Spain are frustrated Plan to invade England with a combined French /

Spanish force. British Navy rules the waves

Negotiations for peace begin in 1761 France is willing to give up Canada

Keep colonies in Asia and Caribbean

British willing to settle as trouble from the 13 Colonies was growing.

The Treaty of Paris 1763… Britain’s Gains Britain gets:

1. Cape Breton Island

2. Canada (Great Lakes and area east of the Mississippi River

3. Florida (from Spain)

The Treaty of Paris 1763… French Gains

France Gets: fishing rights in Newfoundland / Gulf of St

Lawrence

acquire Saint Pierre and Miquelon as a fishing station

Keep Haiti / Guadalope / Martinique / St. Lucia

Keep Senegal (Africa)

Keep holdings in South East India

What about the Canadians? Britain guarantee Canadians limited

freedom of worship- quite significant!

Roman Catholicism okay – Jesuits not!

Exchange of prisoners was arranged

Canadians given 18 months to leave and go back to France or elsewhere if they so chose

So everything is settled right? Not so much… British have to manage a group of settlers who are still

French uprisings?

British are in the large towns – not the whole region

They make allowances for culture / land ownership angers the loyal American colonists - Protestants

They wanted Expulsion redux!!!!!!!!!!!! 12 years later

American colonies revolt (British subjects now rebelling against England)