History Browser

Description of television episode on the declaration of war by Britain against France in 1756. Discusses the first battles of the war at Forts Oswego, William Henry, and Carillon as well as at German Flats. Governor Vaudreuil and General Montcalm never agreed on strategy - Vaudreuil's war was one of attrition and Montcalm hated guerrilla warfare. This episode is part of the "Canada: A People's History" series. Includes links to educational resources, bibliography, and video clips.

French forces, under the command of Louis-Joseph the Marquis de Montcalm, defeat the British troops at Fort Carillon during the Seven Years' War. From the television series "Canada: A People's History." Includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, video clips, and a biography of General Montcalm.

This early-20th century view of the Battle of Carillon is taken from a Quebec primary school text familiar to generations of children. It gives a romantic view of General Montcalm inspiring his men. The clouds of smoke are quite realistic, even if some other details of costume and terrain are not. Smoke filled the air whenever gunpowder was used to fire muskets. There was no cannon firing from the French abbatis lines during the battle, although some were put in during the following days.

In July 1758, General Abercromby led the largest British army to date in North America northwards against French posts in the Champlain Valley. Impatient for a clear and rapid victory, Abercromby led his men in a disastrous assault on French entrenchments near Fort Carillon.

In the summer of 1757, even an unexpected victory at Fort Carillon was not enough to quell squabbling in the French camp. General Montcalm's tactless praise of his French metropolitan troops raised the ire of the Canadian and colonial troops, who had played little part in the battle.

A brief description of the Argenteuil Regional Museum housed in this building.

This map shows the paths of the British and American advances against New France between 1758 and 1760. (Library of the Canadian Department of National Defence)

Fort Carillon, or Ticonderoga as it was known to the British, was built by the French beginning in 1755. French general Montcalm’s victory in July 1758 over British general Abercromby’s Anglo-American army was won near the fort. Despite this victory, the fort had to be abandoned to Gen. Amherst’s overwhelming force in the summer of 1759. A party of American revolutionaries led by Ethan Allen captured the fort in 1775. This aerial view of 1927 shows much of the original foundations and outlines. The historic site is now a popular tourisht attraction.