Topic:1760 -1763: Capitulation + British Military Rule – The Change of Empire
Main Events of War
1. 1754 Expulsion / Deportation of Acadians
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Britain won Acadia in the 3 Intercolonial War + Had control of the Acadian (French) population
British government feared the Acadian population would not stay loyal so they enforced a pledge of
Allegiance to the British Crown
Acadians refused fearing they would have to fight against France
British authorities confiscated Acadians’ land and forced their deportation from Acadia to other British
colonies
2. Battle of plains of Abraham (Quebec) 1759
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Fought between General Wolfe (British) + General Montcalm (French)
Both generals died during the Battle
Major defeat for the French forces in North America- lost the main stronghold in New France
3. Surrender (Capitulation) at Montreal 1760
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French forces in Montreal were surrounded by 3 British armies
The French General negotiated a surrender
The British agreed to the articles of capitulation
Marked the end of French control of New France
Fighting continued between Britain and France in Europe + other colonies
Articles of Capitulation
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Signed September 8, 1760: set the conditions for surrender
Rule of New France by British military until a peace treaty could be signed
Canadiens guaranteed right to property
French laws + customs continued
Canadiens free to practice Roman catholic religion
French allowed to return to France
British Military Rule 1760 – 63
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Government by the British military – general Amherst
Used the same government structures as France BUT replaced governors with British military officers
Reinstated Canadien militia captains to keep order and communicate government decisions to the population.
Canadiens had to submit to British authority – oath of allegiance to British King: King George III.
Effects on Population – Departures for France
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1760: total population of New France was approx. 85 000
French soldiers + officers returned to France
Governor, Intendant, + members of Sovereign council departed (most government officials)
Other Elites: approximately 4000 departures for France
10 000 Canadiens + French died or went missing during the war
The Treaty of Paris 1763
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New France was officially conquered – transfer of official power from French to British government
France ceded all territories in North America except for the islands St. Pierre and Miquelon = end of French
rule in North America
Canadiens became British subjects – under the control of the British king.
New France became a British colony – BUT different because its inhabitants were French speaking and
practiced Catholic religion