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Timeline of Military Events around the time of Conquest.

The following resource collection is organized in timeline fashion, in the form of a list of military and political events that occurred previous to, during, and just after the conquest.  These events can help students grasp the initial strategic and territorial contexts for the economic, social and political changes that were to occur as Britain became the new governing force in New France.  

As students examine and reflect upon the duality of public institutions today (Competency 1), these events might help shed light on the original intent or cause and evolution of such institutions.  As students interpret these events, by explaining their eventual effect on the organization of  Canadian territory and society (Competency 2), they will be better equipped to understand basic differences that exist even today between Canadian and Quebec societies, and others.

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The Situation in Europe and North America 1700-1760 - An overview
"France and England were two rival/enemy powers. France was a country with a strong King (Louis XIV), a huge population, a big army and a lot of money. England was the leading economic power and had a huge navy (advantageous to gain and protect overseas colonies.   France wanted control over continental Europe.  England wanted to establish a worldwide Colonial Empire.  Although France and England had different ambitions, they were still rivals.

The Wars between France and England, which took place in Europe, carried over to North America.  The colony of New France and the 13 American Colonies, controlled by the British, fought against each other (helped  by the French and British armies and their Amerindian allies).  These wars, called intercolonial wars, were fought in North America."
Overview from LEARN 414 course tutorial, Module 3.1


First Intercolonial War (1689-1697).  Also known as King William's War.
Result was Hudson Bay and Acadia to were given over to New France.  Established that Newfoundland was still a British possession.
USWars.net perspective here.
Provincial America, 1690-1740, Chapter KING WILLIAM’S WAR 1689-1701 (excerpt from book by E.B. Greene.  Contains map and conclusions)
The Treaty of Ryswick was signed on 20 September 1697 also detailed European exchanges.

Second Intercolonial War (1702-1713).   Also known as the Queen Anne's War and in Europe the War of Spanish Succession
War ended with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713).  France lost much of the fur trading territory in Hudson Bay area.  As a result of the Treaty of Utrecht, France would try to stop British expansion into the French fur trading areas.
A Newfoundland History perspective here.
Treaty of Utrecht Summary and original documents on Champlain2004.org


Third Intercolonial War (1744-48).  Also known as King George's War.
The French fortress of Louisbourg was captured by New England troops.   Guerilla war by French Canadian troops and their  Amerindian allies who fought against New England villages.  War ended with the Aix-la-Chapelle Treaty (1748):  Louisbourg was returned to France.
American perspective on History.net articles on King George's War: Siege of Louisbourg
Fortress of Louisbourg Timeline Site provides summary.  See main Official Research Site for the Fortress of Louisbourg (English and French)

The Armed Truce of 1748-1756 
Both sides (French and English) prepared for a future  conflict/war.  Both the French and the English built forts.  1755:  Deportation of the Acadians of Nova Scotia.  About 6000 Acadians were deported to Louisiana, New England, France and the West Indies (Antilles).




1755:  Deportation of the Acadians of Nova Scotia
"Tension and mistrust arising from the war between New France and 13 English colonies led to the expulsion of the Acadians. The British thought the Acadians were a threat to appropriation of the land."
Source: The Deportation of the Acadians on Historica.ca

See also:
The Deportation of the Acadians, 1755-1762 on Canadian.org
Acadians on Wikipedia
Mapping Lesson – Deportation of the Acadians on Atlas of Canada site
Relevant images on Canadiana.org
Acadian Ancestral Home section on Great Diaspora outlines situation and provides map.
For timelines, maps and other locations for Acadian dispersal visit the Acadian-Cajun.com section on History of the Acadians.



1756-1763 Seven Years War
"The Seven Years War was the first global conflict. It had two main fronts. The first, in Europe, was the hostility between Prussia and Austria, still simmering after the War of the Austrian Succession , which expanded through alliances to include all of Europe. The second was the colonial rivalries between Britain, France and Spain, known in America as the French and Indian War, which begin in 1754 with conflict over control of the Ohio valley." Source: Seven Year's War.

"The Seven Years' War began when a combined French-First Peoples force expelled British colonists from the Ohio valley in 1754. This local clash quickly escalated into a world war. Beginning in 1755, Britain and France sent thousands of professional soldiers to North America. A year later, hostilities spread to Europe and both nations formally declared war. By 1759, war raged in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean, and Quebec was under attack by a British fleet and army." Source, also map of posts, at Introduction: Seven Year's War

Canadian Iroquois and the Seven Years' War - Collection of articles offering alternative perspective to the war.
Wikipedia Reference for French and Indian War
Timeline of Seven Years War.  American perspective, but many examples of specific battles.
The Seven Years' War in Canada site by Claude Bélanger.  (Includes good map of 1755-60)
Maps of the French and Indian War from the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society.  (Original documents.)
Maps image of Land ceded to Britian after war from 18th Century Turning Points in U.S. History site
Maps 1667-1999 from CollectionsCanada.ca for difference between 1667 and 1763


1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham

"For Quebec nationalists, the Plains of Abraham fought in 1759 is a fight they can never forget, yet the war had consequences that went far beyond the territory of what was then New France. This is the one battle that conclusively changed North America — and the world — forever."
Source:   Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1759): A Decisive Historical War

The Battle of Quebec 1759 on BritishBattles.com has summary, paintings, and images of battle positions.

From Warpath to the Plains of Abraham
"An interactive site prepared by the Virtual Museum of Canada and the National Battlefield Commission of the Government of Canada."

Battles of 1759 and 1760 by National Battlefields Commission.  Includes information on Seven Year's War, Seige of Quebec and more!

Historical Narratives of Early Canada:  Battle On The Plains of Abraham.  Includes paintings and more topographical drawings of positions.

The Battle of the Plains of Abraham.  Detailed text account of battle, day by day.




1760 Capitulation of Montreal

"The terms Governor Vaudreuil accepted were much harsher than those imposed the previous year when Québec capitulated. They implied the surrender of the colony of New France. The first 3 articles denied the French army the usual honours of war. The colonists were given the choice of removing to France should the colony remain in British hands after the signing of a definitive treaty of peace. Private property rights and the civil law according to the Coutume de Paris were guaranteed, as was the freedom to practice Catholicism."  Source:  Capitulation of Montréal, 1760