Until this great work is completed, our dominion is little more than a geographical expression - Sir John A. Macdonald

Travel through the eras of  history and the development of the various nations that make up Canada today.

English Colonies | France vs England | Fur Trade | HBC | The Mississippi | Le Petite Guerre | Containment | New France | Preparations | War | Treaty of Paris

As the war exploded upon Europe and American the French General Montcalm quickly took to the field and led his forces down the Lake Champlain slot to Fort Oswego which he captured in 1756. This relived the French of the direct threat to their St Lawrence lifeline. The following year, 1757, he used Fort Ticonderoga to launch another attack on the English strongpoint of Fort William Henry. The French seemed to be unbeatable but they had not counted on Pitt, and his strategy.

All that was French victory and English Defeat now took a decisive turn. The plan that Pitt had created was put into action. In 1758 a massive 3 point attack was launched by the British with Ticonderoga, Louisbourg and Fort Duquesne as the objectives for the year. Sir James Abercrombie the British commander attacked Montcalm several times at Ticonderoga. Simultaneously, Colonel John Bradstreet attacked the French at Fort Frontenac and destroyed it. Fort Duquesne in the Ohio Valley was cut off and it and

the entire Mississippi basin were abandoned by the French.

The third British attacked landed upon Louisbourg with thundering effect as the British Navy broadsides caused the great walls of the fortress to crumble. General James Wolfe landed along the coast behind the fortress and Louisbourg fell.

The sea lanes up the St Lawrence and into the heart of French North America were open.

Montcalm had no choice and was forced to retreat back to the St Lawrence and his base of operations at Quebec City while leaving a token force at Ticonderoga to delay the British advance..

This was European war rather then the hit and run of the North American wilderness. Montcalm requests 4,000 additional troops from France to hold onto the French Empire in America. The French government decides not to send the troops and leaves Montcalm and his forces to hold on as best they can.

Quebec City now prepares for the inevitable arrival of the British at their gates. Canadians converge on the city to prepare to defend it. 106 additional cannon are placed on the walls of the fortress city. To the east of the city, defensive preparations are stepped up. 15,000 French defenders are now ready for the 200 British ships on their way of the St Lawrence under the British Admiral Saunders. 9,000 soldiers and 18,000 sailors form this impressive invasion force. General James Wolfe leads this British force and is charged with capturing Quebec City in 1759 before the winter sets in and the river freezes. The British make their camp on an Island in the river across from Quebec City and plan their attack.

The initial British comes at Beauport where the French defenses prove to be strong enough to repeal the assault.