11. Change in Empire

Question 1

What year was the capitulation of Montreal?

Answer 1

1760

Question 2

The Capitulation of Montreal

Answer 2

A British fleet arrived on the Fleuve Saint-Laurent and forced the French army who were holding Quebec under siege to retreat. The British followed the French to Montreal and laid siege to Montreal. The French forces laid down their weapons since they were outnumbered and didn’t have many supplies. New France was officially conquered by the British.

Question 3

French navy

Answer 3

A huge naval battle off the coast in France destroyed their navy.

Question 4

Signing of the capitulation of Montreal

Answer 4

The Capitulation of Montreal was signed by the governor general of New France, Pierre de Rigaud and major General of the British Army, Jeffery Amherst.

Question 5

Military administration of the colony

Answer 5

The capitulation of Montreal ended the War of Conquest in North America. The seven years war was not over. The British and French continued to fight in Europe. While waiting for the war to end, the British had to maintain order and administer the colony in North America. The British administered a military regime and a provisional (temporary) government).

Question 6

The organization of the provisional government

Answer 6

General Amherst abolished the Royal Government of the French Regime. He still kept the governments of Quebec, Trois-Rivières and Montreal and replaced their governors. Amherst appointed James Murray as the governor of Quebec.

Question 7

Militia captains

Answer 7

Amherst let the Militia captains keep their job so that they would act as intermediaries between the British and the Canadiens. Instead of the British delivering messages directly to the french, the British would tell the militia captain who told the French.

Question 8

Administrative structures

Answer 8

Amherst didn’t make any major changes to administrative structures in place by the French Regime. Consequently, many Canadiens held their administrative positions.

Question 9

The situation of the Canadiens under the military regime

Answer 9

The British respected the conditions of the French surrender, so many of the cultural and social characteristics of the era of New France survived.

Question 10

How long did the provisional government last?

Answer 10

3 years, until the seven years war ended.

Question 11

New measures of the Canadiens under the British military regime

Answer 11

The Canadien militias had to lay down their weapons so they couldn’t rebel. The Canadiens had to swear allegiance to the King of Britain, George the III. French criminal law was abolished in place of British law.

Question 12

Why did the king want new measures for the Canadiens?

Answer 12

He tried to make them more like British citizens.

Question 13

Retained rights of the Canadiens during military regime

Answer 13

The Canadiens could continue to own their land and property. They were free to practice the catholic religion. Most French institutions were preserved (seigneurial system). The French
language was maintained and used as administration throughout the colony.

Question 14

The impact on the population and economy

Answer 14

There were immediate consequences for the population and economy. About 4000 people returned to France (mostly members of french nobility). Most Canadiens (they were born in New France) decided to stay as Seigneurs, clergy, peasants, people of the third estate (lower class).

Question 15

1760

Answer 15

A few hundred anglophones merchants and adventurers left Great Britain and the 13 colonies to settle in New France. Most of them hoped to make profit off the fur trade since French merchants were gone. All profits of the fur trade would now go to Great Britain.

Question 16

Rebuilding the colony

Answer 16

The war of conquest destroyed the region of Quebec City. Buildings, churches and city centres were destroyed and crops were burnt. Rebuilding these structures took many years. Rebuilding agriculture and preventing famine was more important to them.

Question 17

How did they get money to rebuild Quebec City?

Answer 17

They got most of their profits from the fur trade.

Question 18

What year was the treaty of Paris signed?

Answer 18

1763

Question 19

Treaty of Paris

Answer 19

It ended the seven years war. New France was officially given to Great Britain and the British empire gained control over territories in North America.

Question 20

What rights did the Canadiens have after the treaty?

Answer 20

They were able to retain their land, they were free to practice Catholicism, those who wanted to leave the colony had 18 months and had to sell their property to British subjects.

Question 21

Relations between the British and Native peoples

Answer 21

The treaty concerned the Native people. Years before the treaty, the british and first nations alliances began to fall apart. In 1761, Amherst put an end to the provision of weapons and the sale of alcohol to Native people. He made new rules to the british fur trade.

Question 22

What did these changes mean?

Answer 22

These changes made it so that the British had authority over the First Nations people. Instead of treating them as allies, the British used them for their needs and to get rich. These measures were not well received by the Natives.

Question 23

What years did Pontiac revolt?

Answer 23

1763-1766

Question 24

Pontiac’s revolt

Answer 24

First Nations people feared of losing their land to the British and being treated poorly. Several native nations formed an alliance to go against the British. The war chief Pontiac led the alliance.

Question 25

The revolt

Answer 25

The Native coalition fought the British and conquered almost every fort in the Great Lakes Region and Ohio Valley. Many people died.

Question 26

End of Pontiac’s revolt

Answer 26

A series of defeats and small pox disease weakened the Native coalition. In 1764, several nations made peace with the British. They wanted to figure out a land deal instead of fighting. Pontiac agreed to sign a peace treaty in 1766.