Battle of the Plains of Abraham
Plains of Abraham, Quebec, New France
What happened
British General James Wolfe fought the French army of the Marquis de Montcalm, commander of French forces in North America. During the Seven Years' War, a British army had been besieging the French city of Quebec for three months. One night, British soldiers secretly climbed a steep cliff at a cove called Anse-au-Foulon and lined up on a plateau outside the city by morning. Montcalm's army attacked, and the battle was over in about an hour, with the French retreating into the city.
Why it matters
Result: British victory. Leaders: James Wolfe / Robert Monckton against Montcalm / Lévis. Why it matters: The victory led to the fall of Quebec and, soon after, the end of French rule in Canada. In the 1763 Treaty of Paris, France gave most of New France to Britain.
What came next
Both generals were fatally wounded, Wolfe on the field and Montcalm the next morning. Quebec surrendered on 18 September 1759, and Montreal fell in 1760.
Did you know?
According to the historian Francis Parkman, the evening before the battle Wolfe recited a famous poem, Thomas Gray's 'Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard'.
Timeline
- 1756 CEKing Louis XV sends Montcalm to lead the defence of New France.
- 13 September 1759 CEThe British defeat the French on the Plains of Abraham.
- 18 September 1759 CEQuebec surrenders.
- 1763 CEThe Treaty of Paris gives most of New France to Britain.