Was North America Won or Lost? 7 Years War

Fight for Ohio River Valley 1754 First Nations and French vs British Why were they fighting? 13 colonies need land and want to expand westward First Nations fighting to keep their territory from the threat of colonization French determined to stop expansion of British colonies- set up forts along Ohio River

British Plan of Attack on Ohio River 1755 British troops and militia under General Edward Braddock sent to take Ohio River Forts Accustomed to traditional fighting which involved regular formations of troops attacking each other on a battlefield Winning depended on strategy and disciplined troops

French/First Nations Plan of Attack on Ohio River First Nations used guerilla warfare tactics in which they could strike quickly and with force and the retreat Surprise attacks Constant sniper threats Braddock was totally unprepared for guerilla warfare French and First Nations crushed the British who were forced to retreat

7 years War Began May 1756 with an outbreak of fighting in Europe between France and Britain Braddock's loss in North America made the British change their strategy

Major General James Wolfe 32 year old British Major General Determined to defeat the French at Quebec

Major General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm French Major- General Military commander of New France Had to prevent Wolfe from taking Quebec

The Siege of Quebec British Naval Strategy To get Wolfe’s soldiers to a position from which they could attack To bombard Quebec with cannon fire To blockade the St. Lawrence River to prevent supplies reaching the French

The Siege of Quebec French Defense Plan Quebec itself was protected by cliffs on either side Fortified the north shore of the river and stationed men in a large camp just east of the city

First Nations Alliance with French Allied with French because they feared the British would take their lands French fur trade British wanted farm settlements As more troops from France came, so to did an atmosphere of intolerance Caused the French to lose many First Nations allies

Wolfe’s Plan to Attack Quebec September 1759 Wolfe noticed a small pathway winding up the cliffs just three kilometers from Quebec lightly guarded A small force could reach the top to secure the cliff The army could land there and sneak attack at night

The Battle of Abraham 4400 British soldiers snuck up on the French at Quebec Victory for the British!! Why is this important Some historians say this battle was the beginning of British victory French devastated over losing Quebec

The Battle of Sainte-Foy British navy left April 28 1760 7000 French troops attacked Saved when the navy returned British chased French to Montreal where French surrendered Why is this important? This event marked the end of the 7 years war Peace treaty signed 1763