Seven Years War

1. Seven Years War • 1756- France and Britain geared for war again • England reaped the benefits of their populous colonies in North America • France was the most powerful nation in Europe • At this point, France had failed commit a coordinated force to protecting its colonies

2. Seven Years War • Seven Years War occurred in Europe with England and Prussia aligned against France, Spain and Austria • In North America, the war involved European French and British forces, colonial troops and Native allies (Iroquois and Huron)

3. Seven Years War • British Perspective • British colonies were pinned along the coast • British new that as population grew they would need to expand into Ohio Valley

4. Seven Years War • French Perspective • French claimed all land along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers • To protect against English encroachment, French built a series of forts on Lake Champlain down to the Missouri River

5. Seven Years War • Hostilities Begin 1756 • 1757- Battle Of Fort William Henry (Last Of The Mohicans) was fought • French General Marquis de Montcalm sent the British away with generous terms of surrender • 1758- English began to turn the tide of the war • Montcalm retreated concentrating on protecting the St. Lawrence Region in Quebec

6. Seven Years War • 1759- English launched an all-out attack on Quebec. A force of 9000 soldiers led by General James World laid siege to Quebec • Long exhausting battle with many tactical and strategic mistakes • Wolfe and Montcalm killed in battle • French surrendered Quebec

7. Seven Years War • Results • Articles Of Capitulation (1760) • Surrendered New France to Britain • British took control of New France • Needed system of government which would appease French speaking Catholic settlers • Quebec Act (1774) created to protect the rights of French Canadians and secure their support in case of another war • Continued use of French civil law • Roman Catholic church protected • English criminal law imposed (drew support of French)