American Rebels Besiege Quebec,
1775-1776 |
Rebellion in Nova Scotia, 1776
American Rebels Besiege Quebec, 1775-1776
American attacks on Quebec, 31
December 1775
Plan of the City and Environs of
Quebec... by William Faden
Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada, NMC 55019
Fort Cumberland
Plan of Fort Cumberland upon the Isthmus of Nova Scotia 1778 by
William Spry
Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada, C-34708
For Canadians, the American Revolution began when rebel
armies attacked
Canada and besieged Quebec City. In the early morning of 31 December 1775, the
Rebels stormed the west and north sides of Quebec's Lower Town. A single volley
fired by French- and English-speaking militia defeated the western assault. To
the north, regulars (professional soldiers) and militia (part-time soldiers)
stopped the Americans at the Sault-au-Matelot Barricade.
In May 1776, British reinforcements arrived by sea and the Americans
withdrew.
Rebellion in Nova Scotia, 1776
About 200 Nova Scotians rebelled against their colonial
government in 1776.
They attacked Fort Cumberland and planned to seize the entire province. Yet
most Nova Scotians supported the British or remained neutral. Fort Cumberland's
Loyalist garrison held out until British forces from Halifax lifted the siege.
The Rebels fled and the rebellion collapsed.