Seven Years’ War: Causes, Leaders, and Outcome

• The Seven Years’ War significantly impacted the Acadians.

Causes of the Seven Years’ War

• Rising tensions from multiple sources fueled the Seven Years' War.
• Competition over territory and resources in North America was a key factor.
• Conflicts between Britain and France in Europe contributed to the war.
• Indigenous alliances with European powers further complicated the situation.

Leaders at the Battle on the Plains of Abraham

• The French forces were led by their commander.
• The British forces were led by their commander.

Outcome of the War

• France lost significant colonial possessions as a result of the war.
• Britain gained territory and solidified its dominance in North America.

Military Strengths During the War

• Britain possessed a strong navy and financial resources during the war.
• France had a well-trained army and established fortifications in North America.

Treaty of Paris

• The war concluded with the signing of a treaty.
• The treaty was negotiated and signed by representatives of Britain and France.

Royal Proclamation of 1763 vs Quebec Act of 1774

• The Royal Proclamation aimed to assimilate French Canadians into British culture and governance.
• The Quebec Act granted religious freedom to Catholics and restored French civil law in Quebec.

Constitution Act of 1791

• The French colony in British North America was divided into two colonies with the Constitution Act.
• The two colonies were named Upper Canada and Lower Canada.

Upper and Lower Canada

• Lower Canada was primarily inhabited by French Canadians.
• Upper Canada was mainly populated by British settlers and Loyalists.

Loyalists

• The Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution.
• Many Loyalists migrated to British North America after the American Revolution.

War of 1812

Reasons for the American Declaration of War

• American grievances over British naval practices led to a declaration of war.

American Invasion of Canada

• The Americans aimed to annex parts of Lower and Upper Canada.

Perceived American Advantage

• The Americans believed they would easily win due to perceived British weakness.

Key Figures

General Brock

• General Brock was a British military commander who defended Upper Canada.

General Hull

• General Hull was an American general who led the initial invasion of Upper Canada.

President James Madison

• James Madison was the President of the United States during the War of 1812.

Tecumseh

• Tecumseh, a Shawnee leader, allied with the British due to shared interests in resisting American expansion.

Tecumseh's Trick at Fort Detroit

• Tecumseh tricked the Americans into surrendering at Fort Detroit, using clever tactics.
• His tactics involved exaggerating the size and strength of his forces.
• The outcome was a significant victory for the British and Indigenous alliance.

Queenston Heights Battle

• The Battle of Queenston Heights resulted in a British victory, but with the loss of General Brock.

Laura Secord

• Laura Secord famously journeyed to warn the British of an impending American attack.

Burning of the White House

• The British burned down the American White House in retaliation for the American burning of York.

End of the War

• The War of 1812 ended in a stalemate with the Treaty of Ghent.

Results of the War

• For the British, the war solidified control over their remaining North American colonies.
• For the French, the war reinforced their distinct identity within British North America.
• For the Americans, the war fostered a sense of national pride and independence.
• For Indigenous peoples, the war marked a setback in their efforts to resist American expansion.