"Why France Lost the Seven Years' War in North America" Topic

"France and England were traditional enemies. In North America alone they have fought each other in four different wars. But it was not until the Seven Years' War (1756-63) that the issue of who controlled the continent was settled once and for all. During that struggle Great Britain finally made the conquest of New France a priority and invested enough men and equipment to accomplish its aim. With the help of the Royal Navy, New France was effectively cut off from reinforcements, while at the same time it allowed the British to build up the necessary strength in the thirteen colonies to destroy the French presence in North America. British Naval Supremacy coupled with England's escalation of the war in North America sealed the fate of New France during the Seven Years' War.[1].

In order to understand what happened in North America during the war, it is necessary to understand that the conflict there was only one part of, what some historians view, as the first real global war. Britain and France not only fought in North America, but in India, Europe and on the seas. Given so many theatres of war, each with differing degrees of importance, it was necessary that nations had to choose priorities.[2].

It was easy for England to set priorities. Thanks to her island status and the supremacy of the Royal Navy, it was unnecessary for Britain to field a large conventional army to defend its shores or to fight in Europe. Since the United Kingdom's greatest interest was in sea trade and amassing colonies, it was only natural that the war at sea and in the colonies got preference. The only problem was that she was obliged to protect the Kingdom of Hanover, which was technically in Union with England. Britain solved this problem by making an alliance with Frederick the Great of Prussia, who was arguably the greatest General of the time. They also financed a German Army to fight in Hanover as well as sending a few troops of their own…"
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Amicalement
Armand

I bought t was they had fewer points when the final whistle was blown.

As Fred Anderson (and Mahan before him) pointed out, the decisive battle of the French and Indian War was Quiberon Bay. With neither reinforcements nor supplies from France, Canada was doomed.

As rmaker points out Canada suffered from lack of supplies and reinforcements. The case can be made that the war was global in scale and spread French resources thin India, the continent etc. Still the fact is the French lost battle after battle in North America. The French even lost Louisbourg a fortress were they held the advantage. Perhaps some credit should be given to men and commanders who defeated the French forces in North America.

British naval superiority. Blocade. So even if the kingdom wanted to help, it would be near to impossible.

At one point there might have been more men in arms on the British side than the total number of men in new France? Despite their lousy commanders.

Not so interested by " les arpents de neige du Canada"?

Sadly for this anglophobe, two words: Royal navy.

Credit where Credit is due.

The British forces in the New World made the French fight the kind of war the British were best at…

If the French had occupied Hanover – a not impossible ambition – then they would have exchanged it for Canada at the end of the war.

"Anglophobe"
Strange that we are one of the few people who can have that said against them without taking umbrage.

While much of what is said above in both the article and the posts are true, one key word is missing -- Pitt. He had a grand strategy that leveraged Britain's strength's and exacerbated France's weaknesses. He is what distinguishes the FIW from earlier conflicts…

"Anglophobe"
Strange that we are one of the few people who can have that said against them without taking umbrage.

Odd aint it, I wonder how usage of the word stacks up against its equivalents for other nations? I cant recall many uses of the word "Ameri-phobe" or "germanophobe" or whatever, and I think I see more use of Francophile than Francophobe. But Anglophobe seems (on the basis of my perception and no research whatsoever) to rear its head more than others.

I'd have to assume therefore that we are winning…

;)

I thought France lost the Seven Years War everywhere.

France would have won if they had more troops.

France would have won if they had B52 bombers, napalm and MOABs

Sorry Gunfreak you are wrong…because the British would have had PATRIOT missiles..