The Conquest of New France

Conquest

Consequences

• Canada as a bilingual/ bicultural nation

• The creation of the United States

Evolution of the British Empire

Conquest

Background:

• Seven Years War (French and Indian War) 1756- 1763.

• Britain allied with Prussia and France allied with Austria, Russia, Sweden and Saxony.

The French

Strengths:

• Most powerful army in Europe

• Large contingent of French Regulars including the Marines

• Population of New France made up in part of retired military personnel

• Inhabitants of New France experts at guerrilla warfare

The French (cont’d)

• Inhabitants know the land – Coureurs du bois (French fur traders)

• Unified sense of purpose

Weaknesses:

• Very small population

• Government corruption has led to poor supplies.

The British

Strengths:

• Strongest Navy in the world – well led• William Pitt’s Strategy:

Subsidize one or more allies on the continent

• Use the fleet to:• Raid enemy coast “holding enemy” off your allies• Blockade the enemy and destroy his fleet• Convoy to protect and support your own troops

raiding or seizing enemy overseas colonies and its seaborne trade

The British (cont’d)

• Large population in 13 colonies (relative to New France)

Weakness:

• Colonists are subsistence farmers

• No sense of unity – 13 disparate colonies

Strategy

• British: Win in North America with help of Navy

• French: Win in Europe

• British push into the Ohio Valley

1754 – the Ohio River Valley

• French Ensign de Jummonville ambushed by British under George Washington. He is killed along with 9 men.

• French respond by crushing American force: 30 killed and 70 wounded. Washington flees leaving his diary behind.

• After reading this the Governor of New France, Marquis Duquesne says:

“So many deserters, so much trouble in the provinces Washington traversed, so much discord among these troops of different

provinces that claim to be independent! It is that which convinces me that we will always

defeat such forces, as badly organized as they are unwarlike.”

From: Last of the Mohicans(Richelieu Valley)

Treaty of Paris