F. Wars with the English

From HCO Jr

Part 3. New France → A. Founding of New France → B. Acadian Saga → C. The Royal Colony → D. Fur Traders & Missionaries → E. Daily Life → F. Wars with the English

Introduction

When a war ended, and England or France won, they signed treaties. Treaties are agreements between countries (or nations). Both countries agree to certain conditions in the treaty. Peace treaties end wars. The countries agree to stop the war and meet certain conditions. Often England or France agreed to give up land to each other. Usually the winner in the war received land, and the losing country lost land.

In this chapter different wars will be examined. Each of these wars had two names: a European name and a North American name. North American names were usually used by the English colonists in what is today the United States. They named the wars after who was the king or queen of England at the time. The Seven Years War was named the French and Indian Wars because the English colonists saw these two groups as their main enemies. The name of each peace treaty is also listed, and the conditions England and France agreed to in each treaty.

**Wars Between France and England**
European Name	North American Name	Name of Treaty	Treaty Conditions
War of the League of Augsburg (1688-97)	King William's War (1689-97)	Treaty of Ryswick (1697)	Ended French-English conflict
War of Spanish Succession (1702-13)	Queen Anne's War (1701-1713)	Treaty of Utrecht (1713)	French give forts in HBC territory to England. French give up claims to NFLD and Acadia. French retain St. Lawrence islands
War of Austrian Succession (1740-48)	King George's War (1744-48)	Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)	Fort Louisbourg (Cape Breton Island) returned to the French.
Seven Years War (1756-1763)	French and Indian War (1754-1763)	Treaty of Paris (1763)	France gives all of its land in North America to England. France keeps two small islands near Newfoundland: St. Pierre and Miquelon.

This chapter will look at each of these wars. You will learn what caused these wars, how they were fought in North America, and what impact they had on Canadian history.

King William's War

Louis XIV

From 1689 to 1763 North America was often at war. King William's War was only the first of a series of wars between France and England that ended in North America when Britain conquered New France.

King William's War (or the War of the League of Augsburg) started when France, led by King Louis XIV invaded part of Germany in Europe. England joined a group called the League of Augsburg to stop the French.

In North America the war started for different reasons. King William's War was all about the fur trade, and who would control it in the Ohio Valley.

In an earlier chapter you learned how the Iroquois often attacked the French and their First Nations' allies. When these wars ended the Iroquois and the English began to move further west into North America. Soon they had crossed the Appalachian Mountains and were entering the Ohio Valley.

French fur traders and leaders did not want this to happen. French traders wanted the Ohio Valley. Many of the First Nations there had furs to trade. Whoever controlled this part of North America would make a great deal of money from the fur trade.

French traders and military leaders tried to force the Iroquois to stop expanding into the Ohio Valley. This led to a number of small raids against Iroquois villages. The Iroquios attacked French settlements in return. Soon a war had started. English colonies such as New York supported the Iroquois against the French.

Neither the French nor the English won King William's War in Europe. The Treaty of Ryswick ended the battles between the French and English.

In North America the French eventually won but not until 1701. Their attacks forced the Iroquois to sign a treaty of neutrality in that year. From now on the Iroquois would not side with either the French or English in any war in North America. New France did not defeat the Iroquois, but now the French did not have to worry about the Iroquois helping the English.

Queen Anne's War

North America in 1713

Queen Anne's War (the War of Spanish Succession) started in Europe. Spain's King, Charles II, died without leaving an heir (a prince) to take over (or succeed him) as king. Spain was a very powerful country at that time. It had a large empire in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The other kings of Europe wanted to control this empire.

Europe soon split into two groups. One group was led by France. The King of France at this time, Louis XIV, said he should be King of Spain. Emperor Leopold I of Austria said the throne belonged to him. The other countries of Europe joined either France or Austria in this struggle. England supported Austria.

In North America the French and English fought battles. New France used Native allies in both Canada and what would become the United States. French soldiers began building forts in the south and west. Some of these forts were located where cities are today: Detroit and Niagara were two very important French forts. These forts kept English soldiers and settlers from moving further west and expanding.

In Canada the French did very well against the English. They did not lose a single battle. In Europe, however, the French lost to the English. In 1713 France and England signed the Treaty of Utrecht. King Louis XIV of France gave up his claim to Acadia (Nova Scotia) and to Hudson Bay. England won a great deal with the Treaty of Utrecht.

King George's War

This war began in Europe. Charles VI of Austria died. His daughter, Maria Theresa, was named Empress of the Austrian Empire. Other European rulers did not think that Emperess Maria would be strong enough to resist them if they attacked Austria. England supported Emperess Maria and sent troops to help. France sided against England and Austria.

In Canada the French and English fought battles. England conquered the French fort of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island. Battles were also fought in the Ohio Valley.

In 1748 England and France signed the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. England gave back Fort Louisbourg to the French.

The Seven Years War (1756-1763)

The Seven Years War started in Europe in 1756, and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. However, the war actually started in North America before it started in Europe. It started in 1754 in New France, and it ended in 1759 when British forces conquered Montreal.

Like many wars it started because of land: colonists wanted land to settle on, and countries went to war to get this land. New France controlled much land in North America at this time, and English colonists wanted it.

In 1754 New France was very large. It extended through southern Ontario, and all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans, today a major city in the United States, was a French settlement at this time.

To control this land French traders and soldiers built fur trading forts on important rivers such as the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. They made alliances with the First Nations that lived there. French leaders did not want English settlers from the Thirteen Colonies moving into this area.

English Colonies and Land

George Washington as a Young Major

Some English colonies, such as Virginia, were growing very quickly. Private companies wanted to find land, purchase it, and then sell it back to the settlers to make money. The governor of Virginia decided to expand further west into land controlled by the French and their Native allies.

In 1754 the governor sent a young army officer, George Washington, with a small group of men to the Ohio Valley. Washington was told to drive the French from their forts. Washington, however, was beaten by the French and the First Nations. On July 4, 1754, he was defeated at the Battle of Fort Necessity and forced to retreat back to Virginia.

For two years the French and English continued to fight in the Ohio Valley. They did this before France and Britain declared war on each other in 1756.

First Nations Allies

More colonists lived in the British colonies compared to New France. The population of New France was 55,000 people. British colonies in North America had almost 1 million people. New France could not create a militia large enough to fight the English. New France needed allies in its war with England.

First Nations warriors fought with the French against the English. They helped the French a great deal during the Seven Years War. French fur traders, militia and soldiers fought alongside Native warriors in many battles against the English.

Why did New France have so many Native allies? For many years the French tried to convince First Nations to support them. For example, French fort commanders gave gifts and presents to First Nations leaders every year. First Nations respected the French for doing this, and wanted them as allies.

French fur traders and soldiers also had a lot of experience living with First Nations. They spoke different Native languages, and understood their culture. This gave the French better knowledge of Native diplomacy. French leaders knew how to talk to Native leaders, and how to convince them to become allies.

Lastly, First Nations people had a better relationship with the French compared to the English. French settlers built small forts on Native land. They asked permission before building their forts. French fur traders married Native women, and lived with First Nations.

English settlers occupied more land because they were farmers. They did not always ask First Nations for this land. Sometimes they took it, or the signed treaties but did not keep their promises to the local people.

Why did First Nations ally with the French?

Alliances between people and nations do not work just one way. The French wanted First Nations as allies in their wars against the English. However, the First Nations also wanted the French as allies against the English.

It is important to remember that not all First Nations were French allies. Some nations were British allies. If a First Nation lived far away from the French it made little sense to be their ally. It was more important to work with the British.

More First Nations wanted to be French allies. Why was this. First, the French, as noted above, gave the First Nations presents every year. First Nations respected this. Giving gifts was part of Native diplomacy (when two or more nations talk together to solve problems or form alliances). French leaders accepted the First Nations' custom of gift giving.

First Nations also wanted to trade furs. French military forts were also trading forts. Native peoples liked this. French soldiers were their allies, and the French traders brought them the things they needed or wanted.

Many First Nations did not like the English. English settlers took large amounts of land for farming. Some of the English colonies signed treaties with First Nations for this land, but other colonies simply took it. English leaders did not always try to negotiate with First Nations.

French Victories

Marquis de Vaudreuil

For the first few years the French and English fought in the forests of America. This was very good for the French and their allies. They were very good at small scale warfare. This type of warfare was called la petite guerre ("the little war") in French. Today we would call it guerilla warfare.

Small groups of French and Native warriors raided English towns, farms and forts. They attacked at night, and they attacked quickly. Before the British troops arrived these small groups would run back to the forest and hide. Small groups also ambushed British soldiers, or attacked British soldiers who fell behind their company as it marched through the forest. British soldiers did not know how to fight very well in the forest. Even though they outnumbered the French the British often lost the battles.

New France's governor, Governor Vaudreuil, thought that this was the best way to fight the English. He did not think there were enough French soldiers to attack the English directly. By attacking small settlements and raiding British soldiers Governor Vaudreuil hoped New France would survive the war. Governor Vaudreuil hoped that France would defeat Britain in battles in Europe.

New France, however, had a new commander to lead the professional soldiers in the colony: Marquis Louis Joseph de Montcalm. Montcalm did not like guerilla war. He thought it was not a proper way to fight. Montcalm was trained to fight traditional European battles. Armies lined up on large fields, and shot at each other as they marched foward. When the two armied reached each other they fought with swords and other weapons.

Marquis de Montcalm

Montcalm and Governor Vaudreuil did not get along with each other. Montcalm did not like Governor Vaudreuil's use of guerrilla warfare. Governor Vaudreuil did not think European style battles would protect New France from the British. Montcalm, however, could do as he wished with the professional soldiers in New France. He led them in battle against two English forts, and fought off an invading British army. For example, Montcalm led French soldiers against two English forts: Fort Oswego and Fort William-Henry. Montcalm won both battles.

Montcalm also held off a British attack against the French Fort Carillon. The British had 5x more men than Montcalm. Montcalm proved that he was a very good general.

New France Falls

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham

New France was defeated in 1759. Why did this happen?

In 1758 Britain had a new Prime Minister: William Pitt the Elder. He had a son known as William Pitt the Younger. His son later became Prime Minister. To tell the difference between the two people called the "Elder" and "Younger." Prime Minister Pitt spent a great deal of money to send soldiers, naval ships and supplies to defeat the French in Canada.

British generals also changed their strategy. Instead of fighting the French in the forest they decided to attack and conquer the three main French settlements: Fort Louisbourg, Quebec, and Montreal. If they captured these three towns they would control all of New France.

Fort Louisbourg, 1758

In 1758 a large English navy attacked Fort Louisbourg. In total the English sent 27,000 men to attack this one French fort (the French had only 8000 men there).

British cannons bombarded Fort Louisbourg constantly for seven weeks. Eventually the commander of the fort, Duchambon, surrendered. He had little chance to win. Duchambon did hold the British forces for almost two months. This was long enough to keep them attacking Quebec that year.

Seige of Quebec, 1759

James Wolfe

In 1759 General James Wolfe, a young British officer, led a large British force against Quebec. This was a walled city. Attacking it would be very difficult. However, General Wolfe needed to defeat the French. Quebec was the most important French town in New France. Conquering Quebec was an important part of the British strategy to conquer all of New France.

In Spring, 1759, General Wolfe ordered his ships to bombard Quebec. British batteries (groups of large cannons) shelled Quebec from the other side of the St. Lawrence River. British troops attacked small French settlements outside of Quebec. French settlers fled to Quebec to find shelter behind the large stone walls.

General Wolfe was sick during much of the seige, and spent a lot of time in his bed giving orders. The other officers did not like Wolfe very much. They thought he wasa weak. Winter was approaching, and the officers worried that the British would have to leave Quebec.

In early September British troops reported a small path that led from the shoreline up to a large field in front of Quebec. On September 12, 1759, Wolfe ordered his men to climb the path to the field. General Montcalm awoke the next morning to see 4500 British troops assembled in front of Quebec.

British Troops Stream Ashore at Wolfe's Cove

The Battle of the Plains of Abraham

Death of Wolfe

British and French troops fought on this field, called the Plains of Abraham. Both the British and the French made mistakes during the battle.

The British troops only had one cannon with them. They were also tired from climbing the steep path from the St. Lawrence to the field. Wolfe's soldiers had very few supplies. If the battle laste too long the British would have run out of food, water and ammunition.

General Montcalm should have kept his troops inside Quebec. The British forces could not get inside the city. Montcalm also knew that French reinforcements would soon arrive. If Montcalm waited longer he would have a much larger army.

Instead, Montcalm ordered his soldiers out, and they attacked the English. The battle lasted less than an hour. French troops soon retreated back into Quebec. However, during that short battle both Montcalm and Wolfe were shot. Wolfe died very quickly. Montcalm was carried back into Quebec and died later.

The people of Quebec surrendered after this battle. Quebec was in ruins. While the walls were fine most of the buildings inside Quebec were destroyed by British cannons. On September 19, 1759, Quebec surrendered to the British.

The Fall of New France

Many people think that the Battle of the Plains of Abraham was the end of the war. This is not true. Even though France lost Quebec it still controlled Montreal, and had forts in other parts of Canada.

The battle that made the French lose Canada was fought in Europe. It was a naval battle. In 1759 the British Navy destroyed the French Royal Navy in a large battle off the coast of France. Without a navy France could not send new troops and supplies to Canada. Britain could keep sending soldiers and supplies to its army in Canada.

Battle of Ste-Foy

French soldiers tried to take Quebec back. In Spring, 1760, a battle was fought at the settlement of Ste. Foy just outside Quebec. French troops beat the British who ran back and hid in Quebec. The French soldiers, however, were running out of food and ammunition. They needed French supply ships to arrive.

Without the French navy no supply ships came to Quebec. The only supply ships that arrived were British! The French troops retreated back to Montreal. The new English general, Sir Jeffery Amherst, moved his new army of 17,000 men to attack Montreal. There were only 2000 French soldiers at Montreal. They surrendered on September 8, 1760. The Seven Years War in North America was over.

New France Surrenders

Vaudreuil Surrenders at Montreal

In 1760 Governor Vaudreuil surrendered to the English. He signed what is called the Articles of Capitulation. The Articles of Capitulation listed what the French and English agreed to in return for the surrender

French settlers and people could leave New France if they wished.
French settlers who stayed in the colony could keep their land and property.
French settlers could remain Catholic. In Britain, at this time, Catholics were not allowed to attend their churches.
New France's Native allies would not be attacked by the English because they helped the French.

British Military Rule

Between 1760 and 1763 France was still at war with Britain. There was still a chance that France would defeat Britain in the Seven Years War, and take back New France as a colony. However, until that happened the British controlled New France. This is called military rule.

Britain appointed a military governor for each settlement at Quebec, Montreal and Trois-Rivieres. General Jeffery Amherst was made the overall governor of New France.

During this time Governor Amherst did not change anything about New France. Amherst did not want to do anything that might cause the local population to rebel against the British.

For French settlers life was very difficult. British soldiers destroyed many French homes and farms during the war. Much of Quebec was destroyed by General Wolfe during the siege. Some families did not have enough food, or they had no shelter. Many French Canadians feared they would be deported like the Acadians were. Many French families had lived in New France for over one hundred years. New France was their home, and they did not want to leave.

The Treaty of Paris, 1763

In 1763 France lost the war to Britain. That same year it signed the Treaty of Paris. France agreed to give all of New France to Britain. The French colony in North America, that started with Champlain in 1608, was now a British colony. It was renamed Quebec.

Britain made promises about Quebec. It did this to keep the French who still lived in Quebec happy. It had to do this. There were over 50,000 French still living in Quebec. Compared to the British they had a different language, religion (they were all Roman Catholic), and culture. Britain wanted to avoid a rebellion in Quebec. To do this is promised the French that:

They could keep their religion.
They would not be deported like the Acadians.
The seigneurial system would be continued.
If they wished to leave Quebec they had 18 months to do so.

France agreed to give up all of its forts in the interior. The only colony France kept in North America was Lousiana.

Quebec was now a British colony, but most of the people living in it were French. This would cause difficulties in the future as Britain tried to find ways to govern the French. Sometimes Britain was successful. Sometimes Britain failed.