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Table of Contents
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham was also known as the Battle of Quebec. It was a crucial event in the Seven Years’ War and the history of Canada. It was a British invasion force led by General James Wolfe that was able to win against the French troops under the Marquis de Montcalm.
See the fact file below for more information on the Battle of the Plains of Abraham or alternatively, you can download our 25-page Battle of the Plains of Abraham worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
SEVEN YEARS’ WAR
- The Battle of the Plains of Abraham was a crucial battle in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) which occurred in Europe, India, and North America. One side was the alliance of France, Austria, Sweden, Saxony, Russia, and Spain.
- On the other hand, the alliance of Britain, Prussia, and Hanover. When France was preoccupied with the hostilities in Europe, the British forces targeted French colonies overseas and began attacking the French navy and merchant fleet.
- The British forces did this in the hope of destroying France as their commercial rival.
EXPEDITION TO QUEBEC
- In 1759, James Wolfe was assigned to be the commanding officer of the British assault against Quebec’s fortress city. A naval force led by Vice-Admiral Charles Saunders supported Wolfe.
- Quebec’s defenders numbered about 18,000 men. Meanwhile, Wolfe’s army consisted of more than 8,000 British soldiers, 900 American Rangers and Colonial Pioneers, and 2,100 Royal Marines.
- The majority of Quebec’s forces were Canadian militiamen who had little military training and no experience in battle. The French forces had about 5,600 professionals, 2,400 regular soldiers, 1,100 Troupes de La Marine, and 2,100 French Navy. There were also 1,800 Indigenous warriors who were involved in Quebec’s defense.
- On June 27, 1759, Wolfe and his army landed on the Île d’Orléans, an island that is connected to the North Shore near Chute Montmorency by a suspension bridge. The British also occupied positions on the southern bank of the St. Lawrence River at Point Levis.
- They positioned on the Northern Shore about 13 km from the city, near Montmorency Falls and the French army encampment at Beauport.
- The British decided to attack the French position at Beauport on July 31. However, the French forces in these areas were protected by the Montmorency River, and attempting attacks against Quebec would have to face the fort’s battery of guns and currents of the river. Because of this, the British forces retreated.
- Later on, Wolfe appointed Brigadier James Murray to target French stores and ships about 65 km upriver from Quebec. However, even though it reduced French defenders, it did not lure Montcalm, the commander in chief of the French Forces in Canada, into an open battle.
- In desperation, Wolfe ordered the systematic destruction of the buildings around Quebec. However, Montcalm refused to attack.
- In late August, several British soldiers were able to pass through the strong currents of the river and Quebec batteries, giving a strong British naval presence upriver of the city.
- The British command decided to send an invasion force to cut the city off from Montreal and force Montcalm and the French to fight.
THE BRITISH ATTACK
- James Wolfe decided to land at L’Anse-au-Foulon at the base of a cliff that was 53 meters high. The British force advanced in the darkness and silence, and the naval boats were able to fight the strong currents of the St. Lawrence River. They landed on September 13, 1759, just after 4 a.m.
- Colonel William Howe led foot soldiers who scrambled up the cliff and lowered the French advance guard. By 8 a.m., Wolfe, together with the first division, arrived at the plateau and assembled 4,500 men.
- The British forces stretched across the Plains of Abraham in a horseshoe formation about 1 km long and two ranks deep.
THE BATTLE OF THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM
- When Montcalm learned of the British landing and ascent, he immediately decided to attack them before the British could establish themselves. The French force had 4,500 men from Beauport, which consisted of militia or Indigenous warriors.
- On the other hand, Wolfe’s army was almost the same size, but it was composed entirely of regular soldiers who were trained and disciplined on the battlefield.
- The Indigenous marksmen were positioned with Canadian militiamen in the bushes along the British flanks. According to a British soldier, their enemy lined the bushes upfront, and Indigenous marksmen took the first shots.
- Montcalm’s army advanced and started firing about 120 meters from the British line. However, Wolfe’s army stood firm until the French were almost 40 km away when the army started the rolling volleys that immediately stopped and reversed their enemy’s advance.
- Soon after the firing started, General Wolfe was shot three times in the battle’s first few minutes. After hearing that the French force was retreating, Wolfe stated that he would die in peace.
- Other high-ranking British officers were also killed, which made the British lose some of its direction.
- Brigadier-General George Townshend assumed command and quickly organized two battalions to counter a French relief force led by Colonel Bougainville that was approaching from behind.
- However, Bougainville pulled back, and the British force integrated their position on the heights. This allowed Montcalm’s army to escape. Montcalm was wounded and died the following day in Quebec.
- General Townshend decided to establish the British position instead of aggressively attack the French army. This had significant consequences.
- The French forcemarched that night and avoided their enemy on the way to Pointe-aux-Trembles, leaving only a small army force in the town. The British laid siege and established their force around the city of Quebec.
- On September 18, the French commander signed the Articles of Capitulation and turned Quebec over to the British forces. However, this did not end the war of New France.
LEGACY AND SIGNIFICANCE
- The Battle of the Plains of Abraham left a strong presence in New France that marked the turning point in New France’s history. After defeating and securing the French stronghold in Quebec, they established a strong presence that foreshadowed the eventual defeat of the French force.
- However, after removing France as a North American power, it increased British colonies’ confidence, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, which subsequently wanted greater independence from Great Britain.
- The battle put the British in control of Canada and indirectly led to the American Revolution. The British victory became a long legacy that affected borders, culture, and the identity of Canada.
Battle of the Plains of Abraham Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Battle of the Plains of Abraham across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Battle of the Plains of Abraham worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Battle of the Plains of Abraham which was also known as the Battle of Quebec. It was a crucial event in the Seven Years’ War and the history of Canada. It was a British invasion force led by General James Wolfe that was able to win against the French troops under the Marquis de Montcalm.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Battle of the Plains of Abraham Facts
- The Mastermind of the Battle
- The Numbers of the War
- The British Victory
- Fact or Bluff
- Facts About the Battle
- The War Chronicles
- Behind the Battle
- Dates to Remember
- An Epic Battle
- A Memorial for the Plain
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Use With Any Curriculum
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