The Struggle for Control
of North America
Vs.
Ms. Ross
Name _________________
Socials 9
Block
_____
THE STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL OF NORTH AMERICA
Canada Revisited - Chapter 4
Crossroads 2nd Edition - Chapter 2
Student Learning Outcomes
I can:
Explain how wars in Europe affected French and British colonies in North America
Describe the strategic importance of the following fortresses and fortress towns:
Louisbourg, Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal
Explain what happened to Acadians when the region was controlled by the British
Identify the 3 key locations of battle and describe the events in the Seven Years’ War
Compare and contrast the key terms of the Royal Proclamation 1763 and the Quebec
Act 1774
Vocabulary
New France
Acadia
Oath of Allegiance
Acadian Expulsion/Deportation
Fortress of Louisbourg
Fortress of Halifax
citadel
Fortress Town of Quebec
Fortress Town of Montreal
Ohio Valley
Seven Years’ War
General Montcalm
General Wolfe
Battle on the Plains of Abraham
Treaty of Paris 1763
British Military Rule
Canadiens
Assimilation
Bi-culturalism
Proclamation of 1763
Governor James Murray
Governor Guy Carleton
Quebec Act 1774
2
THE FRENCH & ENGLISH ARE ALWAYS FIGHTING
The French and the British are archrivals. In the past, their wars were limited to
Europe; however, with the onset of colonialism fighting could also spread to the colonies, not
to mention the opportunity to start a war within the colonies.
In any war, the losers have to give up something to the winners. In the 1700s, this
“something” was colonies. Over the span of 50 years, 3 wars were fought between France
and England and the peace treaties to end each war always had an impact on the colonies in
North America.
So, why did the great powers of Europe want to control North America? For resources!
If you controlled North America, you controlled the fur trade and fishing in the Atlantic.
France had control of both for most of the 1600s and Britain wanted a cut of the profits.
Since France was not willing to share and didn’t like competition, the only way for Britain to
get a stronghold into these 2 economies was to gain control of North America.
European Territorial Claims following
the 1763 Treaty of Paris
European Territorial Claims
following the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht
3
ACADIA BECOMES A BRITISH COLONY
Use Canada Revisited pp. 67 to complete the summary and questions below.
Queen Anne’s War, also known as the “War of the Spanish Succession”, was fought in Europe
from 1701 and 1713. When the war ended, the British were victorious over the French. In the peace
agreement (Treaty of Utrecht), Britain was given control of Rupert’s Land, Newfoundland, and most of
Acadia.
The British gave the Acadians _____ year to leave the colony, yet many chose to stay and
remain _____________ (will not fight for France or Britain if war breaks out again). The British
wanted the Acadians to take an _______________________________ to Britain: the British felt this
would ensure the Acadians side with them in the event of a war with ____________. But this was the
exact reason why Acadians didn’t want to pledge an oath of allegiance: it would mean they would
have to fight for ____________, possibly against their own country!
In the ________, it looked like there was going to be another war between France and Britain
which would be fought both in Europe and in North America. The British wanted to ensure the
Acadians would side with them and they were weary of the pledge Acadians had made 40 years ago
to remain neutral; what if they changed their mind and attacked the British in their own colony?!
When Governor __________________ demanded an oath of allegiance, the Acadians
_______________. What will happen now?
What is the Acadians’ point of view? ___________________________________________
What do the Acadians think will happen if they don’t swear an oath of allegiance?
________________________________________________________________________
What is the British point of view? ______________________________________________
Brainstorm the different types of consequences Governor Lawrence could give:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Now, predict which consequence you think the Acadians will be given:
__________________________________________________________________________
4
THE DEPORTATION OF THE ACADIANS
The British decided that if the Acadians did
not swear allegiance to the British crown, they
would be deported. In 1755, the British began
the deportation. Initially, Acadians were taken
prisoner and sent to Georges Island in Halifax
harbor, where they would await their fate. Over
time, the British simply placed people directly on
ships for deportation. Acadians were placed on
ships bound for the Thirteen Colonies, Louisiana,
Britain, or France. As they were leaving, they
saw their homes being burned and all of their
property confiscated by the British. The lives
these people had created in North America were
destroyed. During the deportation, many families
were split apart, never to find each other again.
Conditions on the British ships were horrible:
many didn’t survive the journey.
There were some Acadians who fled to Ile
St. Jean (PEI) and New France, but they were
not safe their either. Over the next 7 years, the
British seeked to expel all Acadians from the
region. It is estimated that 11,000 Acadians
were impacted by this forced expulsion.
In December 2003, Queen Elizabeth and the
Canadian government offered regret for the
treatment of the Acadians from 1755-1762.
5
FORTRESS OF LOUISBOURG
When France lost the colonies of Acadia and Newfoundland (Treaty of Utrecht 1713),
they were left with the islands of Ile St. Jean (PEI), St. Pierre and Miquelon, and Ile Royale
(Cape Breton). They wanted to have a strong presence in the region so they could control
the fishing trade: they chose to build a fortress on Ile Royale in 1720.
Louisbourg would
become a military and naval
base, as well as a fishing
station. This fortress would
guard the entrance to the St.
Lawrence River and New
France. Louisbourg was
designed in a star shape: this
provided many vantage points
from which to look for invaders
and shoot down upon
enemies. With 2.4 metre thick
and 9 metre high walls, this
fortress was rumoured to be
impregnable.
Unfortunately, the rumour was just that…a
rumour. The damp climate deteriorated the walls
so they constantly had to be fortified. There
were surrounding hills from which the enemy
could attack and the fortress was easily
approached by boat. In 1745 and 1758,
Louisbourg was captured by the British. After
both occupations, the fortress was returned to
French control. Only in 1763 did Britain gain
control of the fortress for good.
Within its walls, there was always a bustle of
activity. Inns and taverns housed
merchants, naval officers, labourers, and
servants. Food was farmed within the
fortress and there was even a bakery to
provide everyone with their rations of bread.
You social status determined what loaf of
bread you received from the baker!
Everyone had to watch their pennies…you
only got paid once per year!
6
FORTRESS OF HALIFAX
The British saw Louisbourg as a threat to their control in North America, so they
decided to build their own fortress at Halifax in 1749. This fortress would protect British
settlers from French and First Nation attacks.
The fortress was also built in a star shape, but it differed from Louisbourg in that it was
built on a citadel which provided much more defense. While it was situated on a hilltop, the
fortress was still close to the harbor. One of the jobs of soldiers at the Citadel was to
communicate what ships were coming and going. Since not everyone was literate the
easiest way to notify people if their goods were in port was to raise a flag. The soldiers used
a different flag pole to communicate secret messages amongst themselves regarding enemy
activity and possible threats.
7
THE FIGHT FOR THE CONTINENT
In 1756, the Seven Years War broke out in Europe. Like previous conflicts, this war would be fought on two
continents: Europe and North America. The French and the English used different strategies to win the war:
 France kept most of their soldiers in Europe and had only a small contingent in North America.
The French thought that if the few French soldiers could occupy the large number of British
forces in North America, they would quickly defeat the British in Europe and win the war.
 Britain sent 7-8 times more soldiers to North America compared to the French. The British
thought they would have more success if they won the war in North America.
The British attacked the French on 3 fronts: Louisbourg, Ohio Valley, and Quebec. Why would the British
attack at these locations? Complete this chart to find out.
WHY DID THE BRITISH WANT
CONTROL?
LOUISBOURG
OHIO VALLEY
QUEBEC
8
WHAT WERE THE EVENTS OF
THE BATTLE?
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE BRITISH WERE VICTORIOUS
ON THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM?
After the French were defeated at Quebec they retreated to Montreal. The St. Lawrence River was now
frozen for the winter, so nothing could be done until the spring of 1760. In April, the French marched to Quebec
and forced the British to retreat behind the fortified walls of the city – this is known as the Battle of Ste. Foi. The
French bombarded the British who were unable to escape or launch their own offensive because they had few
supplies. The outcome would all depend on whether the first ship down the St. Lawrence River was French or
British. Well…the first ship to arrive at Quebec was a British vessel stocked with reinforcements and supplies.
The French were forced to retreat back to Montreal. In September 1760, the British marched on
Montreal. Governor Vaudreuil realized the French could not defeat the British: he surrendered to the British
who now controlled North America.
LIFE IN NEW FRANCE UNDER BRITISH MILITARY RULE
Read pp. 78-79 in Canada Revisited to finish these statements.
1. The period of British rule in New France from 1760-1763 was known as __________________________.
2. The British ( did / did not ) cause disruption to the Canadien way of life and made
( few / many ) changes during this 3 year period.
3. When the Canadien militia was allowed to go home, they discovered ______________________________.
4. The Canadiens wondered if they would suffer the same fate as the ______________: forced to swear an
oath of allegiance or face deportation.
5. The Canadiens were afraid they would lose their ________________, _____________, and
_________________________ religion.
6. The _____________ were forced to return to France, but the _____________________ were allowed to
stay and continued to operate the hospitals.
7. What happened to the following ways of life for the Canadien under British Military Rule?
(circle the correct answer)
a) French language
changed
stayed the same
b) Roman Catholic religion
changed
stayed the same
c) Use of French civil law
changed
stayed the same
d) Seigneurial system
changed
stayed the same
8. The _________________________ was signed in 1763 to end the Seven Years’ War.
France had to surrender all it colonies in ___________________ and ______________ to Britain.
9
HOW WILL THE BRITISH RULE QUEBEC?
Use pp. 80 in Canada Revisited to fill in the blanks.
Alternatives Open to the British
The British had an _____________ colonial policy in their relations with the Canadiens and
Natives. The British also felt they had a right to claim and conquer ruling lands. The British felt
threatened by the _______________: there was still a French militia in the region and they had
strong alliances with the __________________. In addition, both groups could threaten Britain’s
_______________________________ to the south.
The British had to decide what they would do with the French and First Nations populations in
their new colony of Quebec. The British had _____ policy alternatives. First, they could
____________ the Canadiens, just like the British did with the _____________. The second option
was to maintain the ________-_____: allow the French to keep their ______, ___________,
_____________, and ____________, in addition to maintaining Native reserves (land claims). The
next option was ____________: create separate territories for the ___________, ___________, and
____________, each ruled by their own government. The fourth option was ______________, which
is the absorption of one culture into another. The British wanted to eliminate the French and Native
cultures and force these people to become British. British ________________ to create a majority
population in Quebec would aid in assimilation. The last option was _________________ (having two
cultures exist side by side). This concept is modern and wasn’t considered by the British in 1763.
Assume the persona of a British official in the 1760s. You have to decide what policy
you will use to govern your new colony, Quebec. In a properly constructed paragraph,
explain what policy you would chose to govern Quebec and why you have chosen this
policy. Be sure to support your decision with examples and reasons!
Everyone will start their paragraph with this introduction: “As a British official, I realize there
are many alternatives to governing Quebec. I have chosen the policy of __________ to
ensure the colony is properly run.”
Everyone will end their paragraph with this conclusion: “As I have outlined above, I believe
the best policy for governing Quebec is _______________. This will ensure that the colony
will remain under British control and provide wealth for our glorious country.
10
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
11
The Royal Proclamation of 1763
Use pp. 82-83 in Canada Revisited to fill in the blanks.
The British chose the policy of ________________ to govern
Quebec. This policy was firmly entrenched in the Royal Proclamation of
1763. The aim of this document was to ensure British institutions and
_______, customs, ____________ and ___________ were enforced in
Quebec. The British also wanted to attract British _____________ to
Quebec. Britain limited the size of ____________ by cutting Montreal traders out of the western fur
trade. Britain reassured the _____________________ the _____ trade and their _________ grounds
in the _______ Valley would be protected. The _________________ were unhappy with the British
government because people from the ______________ ____________ were moving westward into
their land and these people didn’t have the special ___________ ___________ to enter their territory.
As such, the British banned any settlement in the _______ and _________________ river
valleys: this area was strictly for Native settlement. __________ could still be spoken, although with
an eventual British majority, the Canadiens would have to convert to speaking English. The
Canadiens could still practice the __________ religion, although the Church had no official status.
The British promoted the _______________ faith. The government of Quebec included an appointed
British _____________ and an appointed ______________ __________. When the population was
large enough, the colony would receive an elected _______________ _______________.
___________ laws were replaced with ___________ laws and the British court system; however,
French _______ law was still practiced to settle property disputes. People who were _________
____________ could not hold legal positions or be elected to the Legislative Assembly.
With the Proclamation of 1763, military rule in Quebec was replaced with ______ rule.
Unfortunately, the Proclamation did not successfully complete its aim of _______________ the
Canadiens: the Proclamation granted them too many rights and allowed them to hold onto their
culture, instead of forcing them to become British. The British did not get as many immigrants from
the Thirteen Colonies to bolster the British population: for every _____ people in Quebec, ____ were
French and ___ were British. Thus, there was no dominant British culture into which the French could
be assimilated. __________ and ____________ tried to maintain the French culture. Colonists from
the Thirteen Colonies continued to move westward into Native reserves, even though the
Proclamation forbid white settlement in this region. The British would have to go back to the drawing
board: either create new legislation that will achieve assimilation or change the governing policy.
12
BRITISH GOVERNORS IN QUEBEC
Use pp. 83-84 in Canada Revisited to learn how the British governed the Canadiens.
Describe how Governor James Murray ruled Quebec and the
Canadiens:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Describe how Governor Guy Carleton ruled Quebec and the
Canadiens:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
13
Use pp. 83-84 in Canada Revisited to learn how the British governed the Canadiens.
QUEBEC ACT 1774
Aspect of Life
Aim
Language
Religion
Government
(who makes laws)
Government
(types of law)
Land Holding System
14
Terms under the Quebec Act 1774
REACTIONS TO THE QUEBEC ACT
Match the following groups with the reactions below – write the appropriate name in the
“Who” section of the chart. Each group is only used once.
French Seigneurs
French Habitant
Catholic Church
First Nations
British merchants
Thirteen Colonies (British colony on the East Coast of present day USA)
WHO
REACTION
Anger
WHY



Delight

Anger

Pleasure

Pleasure



Kept land and privileges
Kept French civil law
Implied that the French
language will remain
Indifferent

Kept the Canadien way of life,
but were still under the control
of the Church and the
seigneurs
Upset

North of the Ohio River, there
was not much change in land
settlement and distribution
South of the Ohio River, great
numbers of settlers from the
13 colonies were moving west
into their territory even though
this was disallowed under the
Proclamation of1763

15
Westward expansion no
longer allowed (First Nations
land reserves in the Ohio
Valley)
Fear of tighter British control
Called the Quebec Act
intolerable
Extended boundaries of the
colony would increase fur
trade business
Less political power as a
result of no elected assembly
Kept religious influence and
ability to collect a tithe (tax)
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
ROYAL PROCLAMATION 1763 AND THE QUEBEC ACT 1774
Compare and contrast these 2 government acts to determine the similarities and differences
in the following categories:
1) Political aim
4) Settlement Pattern
2) Language
5) Government (who holds power/position)
3) Religion
6) Governing law(s)
Royal Proclamation 1763
Quebec Act 1774
*Go back to pp. 82 and 84 in Canada Revisited to review the terms of each Act before you begin.
16