The Seven Years War

[August1991]

I'm not certain that this is the correct thread to start this topic but IMHO, it's a major event in Canadian history.

In the perception of many English-speaking Canadians, the English defeated the French in 1763 (centuries ago, whatever) and Canada is better now. In the perception of many people in Quebec today, the result of The Seven Years War was a Conquest, the English defeated the French, and "this people" became colonized, victims.

Note: Wikipedia in French has a far better description La Guerre de Sept Ans. But the best of all is in German: Siebenjähriger Krieg.

Yet, few Canadians (French speaking or otherwise) know the origin, nature of this European War. Even fewer Canadians know that this war ended with not one but two treaties.

Edited August 2, 2015 by August1991

[Freddy]

Cause I'm sure they would love to be constantly reminded they lost a war 300 years ago. It would be so great for the unity of this country.

What a lost opportunity to stir up old bad blood. Why are they not being constantly reminded of this event?

Especially since the war had nothing to do with canada and was orchestrated by two European countries. Both of whom have no real power over us today.

Edited August 2, 2015 by Freddy

[jbg]

I'm not certain that this is the correct thread to start this topic but IMHO, it's a major event in Canadian history.

In the perception of many English-speaking Canadians, the English defeated the French in 1763 (centuries ago, whatever) and Canada is better now. In the perception of many people in Quebec today, the result of The Seven Years War was a Conquest, the English defeated the French, and "this people" became colonized, victims.

Note: Wikipedia in French has a far better description La Guerre de Sept Ans. But the best of all is in German: Siebenjähriger Krieg.

Yet, few Canadians (French speaking or otherwise) know the origin, nature of this European War. Even fewer Canadians know that this war ended with not one but two treaties.

Wars have consequences.

That being said, subsequent to 1774, with the passage of the Quebec Acts, the British governed Quebec with a light hand. Indeed one of the many grievances set forth in the U.S. Declaration of Independence was the passage of the Quebec Act. That legislation granted a royal charter to Quebec (then Lower Canada) down the spine of the Appalachians, hemming in the colonies of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia (not sure about New York) from expanding westward. The Quebec Act guaranteed language and religious rights to Quebeckes. Compared to the way we in the 13 colonies were being treated Quebec was hardly being treated as conquered territory. The French citizens were essentially abandoned by their king since French royalty chose to retain and obtain certain Caribbean islands and swapped their Canadian holdings in exchange.

Cause I'm sure they would love to be constantly reminded they lost a war 300 years ago. It would be so great for the unity of this country.

What a lost opportunity to stir up old bad blood. Why are they not being constantly reminded of this event?

Especially since the war had nothing to do with canada and was orchestrated by two European countries. Both of whom have no real power over us today.

We had a similar, obscure event in our country called the Civil War. In general the defeated seceded areas are now some of the most patriotic parts of our country, jingoistic-ally so in fact.

[WIP]

We had a similar, obscure event in our country called the Civil War. In general the defeated seceded areas are now some of the most patriotic parts of our country, jingoistic-ally so in fact.

They wouldn't be the "patriotic parts" that fly rebel battle flags and build monuments commemorating leaders of their slavery-based secession movement by any chance?

[August1991]

Cause I'm sure they would love to be constantly reminded they lost a war 300 years ago. It would be so great for the unity of this country.

What a lost opportunity to stir up old bad blood. Why are they not being constantly reminded of this event?

Especially since the war had nothing to do with canada and was orchestrated by two European countries. Both of whom have no real power over us today.

Freddy, the main point of my OP was that "they didn't lose a war 300 years ago". And yet, many people in Quebec feel that way; they lost a war. And let's be honest, many people in English-Canada for whatever reason feel like victors; they won a war.

Maybe stirring up "old bad blood" might bring a better understanding of the truth since even you misunderstand it: was the Seven Years War orchestrated by only two countries? Really?

That's like saying that World War II was orchestrated by Russia and Germany.

Edited August 3, 2015 by August1991

[August1991]

Wars have consequences.

That being said, subsequent to 1774, with the passage of the Quebec Acts, the British governed Quebec with a light hand. Indeed one of the many grievances set forth in the U.S. Declaration of Independence was the passage of the Quebec Act. That legislation granted a royal charter to Quebec (then Lower Canada) down the spine of the Appalachians, hemming in the colonies of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia (not sure about New York) from expanding westward. The Quebec Act guaranteed language and religious rights to Quebeckes. Compared to the way we in the 13 colonies were being treated Quebec was hardly being treated as conquered territory. The French citizens were essentially abandoned by their king since French royalty chose to retain and obtain certain Caribbean islands and swapped their Canadian holdings in exchange.

Boiler plate.

We had a similar, obscure event in our country called the Civil War. In general the defeated seceded areas are now some of the most patriotic parts of our country, jingoistic-ally so in fact.

As a girlfriend used to say (and I paraphrase): "Enough about me. So, what do you think? What do you think about me?" Edited August 3, 2015 by August1991

[PIK]

France sold it off to buy beach front. The French did pretty damn good in this country for losing. You would think they has actually won.

Edited August 11, 2015 by PIK

[August1991]

France sold it off to buy beach front.

Beach front property? Where?

====

In 1763, there was a treaty signed in Saxony, the Treaty of Hubertusburg and another treaty signed earlier in France, the Treaty of Paris (but signed in fact at Fontainebleau, in 1762).

The two treaties ended the Seven Years War. (I think there was another treaty signed earlier to end war between Prussia and Sweden.)

Reading Wikipedia of these events, this Seven Years War, whatever the language, it is as if I read of World War II and understand that it is a war solely between Germany and France but somehow France wins.

Edited August 13, 2015 by August1991

[PIK]

It is called the Caribbean, for the sugar cane. A lot more profitable then maple syrup, I guess.

[August1991]

It is called the Caribbean, for the sugar cane. A lot more profitable then maple syrup, I guess.

I agree that sugar was a valuable commodity in the 18th century but the Seven Years War was hardly about sugar or the Caribbean.

=====

Curious about the final date, I found this statement on, of all places, the US State Department website:

The diplomats completed their negotiations and signed the preliminary Treaty of Paris on November 3, 1762.

....

Although British King George III and his ministers were in favor of the treaty, it was unpopular with the British public. However, the treaty contained enough concessions to war hawks that the British Parliament ratified the Treaty of Paris by a majority of 319 to 64, and the treaty went into effect on February 10, 1763.

state.gov

Note that the Treaty of Hubertusburg was signed on 15 February 1763.

Needless to say, the German version is more detailed yet puts a curious emphasis on Saxony as if it matters more than, say, sugar.

Edited August 14, 2015 by August1991