In 1759, the struggle between France and Great Britain to control North America came to a head. That year, New France—a territory then covering almost two thirds of the continent—fell under British rule. The event took place on the Plains of Abraham in Québec City, where the armies of generals James Wolfe and Louis-Joseph de Montcalm skirmished on the morning of September 13. Though both generals died in battle, the British were victorious by the end of the confrontation. A chapter in history had come to an end. New France was no more, and its territory had become part of the British Empire.
Defeat of the French fleet by the English, June 28, 1759
Auteur inconnu
The siege on Québec City began on June 20, 1759. British troops arrived in 150 ships and surrounded the city. This piece shows a failed manoeuvre by the French army to break the siege. At around 10 p.m., on the night of June 28, the French launched fire ships at the British fleet anchored off Île d’Orléans. Confusion reigned. The fire boats were lit too early and the manoeuvre flopped.
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