Canadian War Museum to present the first major exhibition on the Seven Years' WarOttawa, Ontario, March 8, 2006 — The Canadian War Museum's summer 2006 Special Exhibition, Clash of Empires: The War that made Canada, 1754–1763, is the first major Canadian-American joint exhibition on the first global war.
Clash of Empires tells the story of the Seven Years' War — a conflict that begins with Britain and France fighting for imperial predominance in North America and later spreads to Europe, the West Indies, Africa, and Asia. This war changes the world map, sets the stage for the American Revolution and is a decisive factor in the evolution of both Canada and United States.
"Clash of Empires is our third international exhibition, and covers the first global war, a conflict that remains among the most important events in Canadian history," said Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum. "Few people realize that hugely important events in Canadian history like the fall of Louisbourg, the expulsion of the Acadians and the British victory at the Plains of Abraham were all part of this global war."
The exhibition follows the course of the war from its beginnings in the Ohio valley in 1754 when a British and First Peoples' force, led by George Washington and Seneca chief Tanaghrisson, kills a French envoy. It continues through First Peoples and French attacks, and the British victories such as the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, that bring the war to a close. A final section examines the consequences of the war for the British, French and First Peoples.
For Canada, this is the story of the British Conquest, which incorporated the northern section of New France into the British Empire. For the United States, it was a necessary prelude to the American Revolution. Clash of Empires unites these perspectives as the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center and the Canadian War Museum, work in partnership to produce an exhibition that tells the story of this conflict.
"The idea of assembling a blockbuster exhibition on the 250th anniversary of this important conflict has generated an amazing response from museums, galleries and private collectors from around the world," stated Andy Masich, President and CEO of the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.
Almost 200 artifacts from 55 collections, including from the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization, highlight the clothing, weapons, art, maps, and documents of French, British, and First Peoples participants. Some of these artifacts include:
- A document signed by George Washington confessing to the assassination ("l'assassinat") of a French envoy;
- A silver wine cup that belonged to Louis-Joseph de Montcalm;
- A selection of paintings by Dominic Serres;
- Benjamin West's The Death of General Wolfe — the most recognized image associated with the Seven Years' War — on-loan from the National Gallery of Canada featured exclusively at the CWM venue.
Clash of Empires is presented at the Canadian War Museum from May 31 to November 12, 2006 and will travel to the International Gallery, Smithsonian Institution in the winter of 2007.
An exhibition organized by the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, in partnership with the Canadian War Museum.
Information (media):
Christina Selin
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: (819) 776-8607
E-mail: mailto:christina.selin@warmuseum.ca
Pierre Leduc
Communications Officer
Canadian War Museum
Phone: (819) 776-8608
E-mail: mailto:pierre.leduc@warmuseum.ca
|
|
