Montreal is the most French city in Canada. What to see and where to go in Montreal
Causes of the war
- Unresolved issues of European politics by the previous war - For the Austrian inheritance of 1740-1748
- Lack of freedom of navigation in the seas of the East Indies
- The struggle for colonies between France and England
- The emergence of a new serious rival on the European stage - Prussia
- Prussian capture of Silesia
- England's desire to protect its European possessions - Hanover
- Russia's desire to dismember Prussia and annex its eastern region
- Sweden's desire to gain Pomerania
- Mercantile considerations of the parties: France and England hired allies for money
The main reason for the Seven Years' War was the struggle between England and France for primacy in Europe and, consequently, the world. France, by that time already considered a great power, thanks to the policies of Louis XIV, tried to retain this title, England, whose socio-political system was the most advanced at that time, tried to take it away. The remaining participants, taking advantage of the moment, resolved their narrow national-egoistic issues
« But instead of focusing against England, France began another continental war, this time with a new and unusual ally. The Empress of Austria, playing on the king's religious prejudices and the irritation of his favorite, who was offended by Frederick the Great's ridicule of her, drew France into an alliance with Austria against Prussia. Russia, Sweden and Poland subsequently joined this union. The Empress insisted that the two Roman Catholic powers should unite to wrest Silesia from the Protestant king and expressed her readiness to cede to France part of her possessions in the Netherlands, in accordance with her always desire.
Frederick the Great, having learned of this combination, instead of waiting for its development, moved his armies and invaded Saxony, the ruler of which was also the king of Poland. This march-maneuver began the Seven Years' War in October 1756." (A. T. Mahan “The Influence of Sea Power on History” )
Progress of the Seven Years' War
- 1748, April 30 - Treaty of Aachen, which crowned the War of Austrian Succession
- 1755, June 8 - Naval battle of the fleets of England and France at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in Canada
- 1755, July-August - English warships began a privateering operation against French ships off the coast of Canada
- 1756, March 25 - Russian-Austrian Union Treaty
- 1756, April 17 - Blockade by the French army and navy English island Menorca in the Mediterranean Sea
- 1756, May 1 - Treaty of Versailles between Austria and France
- 1756, May 17 - England declared war on France
- 1756, May 20 - Naval battle of the British and French off the island of Minorca
- 1756, June 20 - France declared war on England
- 1756, June 28 - Minorca came into possession of France
- 1756, October - The invasion of the Prussian army of Frederick the Great into Saxony, which belongs to Poland. Beginning of the Seven Years' War
- 1756, October 4 - Surrender of the Saxon army
- 1756, November - France conquered Corsica
- 1757, January 11 - Austro-Russian treaty on each side fielding an 80,000-strong army against Prussia
- 1757, February 2 - Treaty between Austria and Russia, according to which Russia received 1 million rubles annually for participation in the war
- 1757, April 25-June 7 - Frederick's unsuccessful campaign in Bohemia
- 1757, May 1 - Treaty of Versailles between France and Austria, according to which France agreed to pay Austria 12 million florins annually
1757, May - Russia enters the war. For the first time, Russia actively became a participant in European politics
- 1757 - Prussian troops are defeated by the Russian army at Groß-Jägersdorf
- 1757, October 25 - Defeat of the French at the Battle of Rosbach
- 1757, December - Russian offensive in East Prussia
- 1757, December 30 - Fall of Königsberg
- 1757, December - Prussia captured all of Silesia
- 1758, July - Siege of the Küstrin fortress, Clue to Brandenburg, by the Russian army
- 1758, August 1 - Victory of the Russian army in the Battle of Kunersdorf
- 1758, August 14 - Defeat of the Russian army near Zorndorf
- 1759, July - Victory of the Russian army at Palzig
- 1759, August 20 - Destruction of the Toulon fleet of France by the English fleet
- 1759, November 20 - Destruction of the Brest Fleet of France by the English fleet
- 1760, March 12 - negotiations between Austria and Russia on the acquisition by Russia of the right bank of the Dnieper, which then belonged to Poland, and East Prussia
1760 September 8 - France lost Montreal, ending French control of Canada
- 1760 -September 28 - The Russian army entered Berlin
- 1760, February 12 - France lost the island of Martinique in the West Indies
- 1761, January 16 - Fall of the French fortress of Pondicherry in India
- 1761, August 15 - Treaty of Friendship between France and Spain with a secret protocol for Spain's entry into the Seven Years' War
- 1761, September 21 - Spain received a cargo of colonial American gold, allowing it to start a war with England
- 1761, December - The Russian army took the Prussian fortress of Kolberg (today the city of Kolobrzeg)
- 1761, December 25 - Death of the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna
- 1762, January 4 - England declared war on Spain
- 1762, May 5 - The new Russian emperor concluded an alliance treaty with Frederick, which changed the balance of power in Europe
Peter III was an ardent admirer of Frederick. He not only renounced all conquests in Prussia, but also expressed a desire to help Frederick. Chernyshev's corps was ordered to unite with Frederick for joint offensive actions against Austria
- 1762, June 8 - Palace coup in Russia. Catherine II ascended the throne, the treaty with Prussia was terminated
- 1762, August 10 - Spain lost Cuba
- 1763, February 10 - Treaty of Paris between France and England
- 1763, February 15 - Treaty of Hubertusburg between Austria, Saxony and Prussia
Results of the Seven Years' War
France lost Canada with all its associated areas, i.e. the Ohio River Valley and the entire left bank of the Mississippi River, with the exception of New Orleans. In addition, she had to give Spain the right bank of the same river and pay a reward for Florida ceded to England by the Spaniards. France was forced to abandon Hindustan, retaining only five cities. Austria lost Silesia forever. Thus, the Seven Years' War in the west put an end to France's overseas possessions, ensured England's complete hegemony on the seas, and in the east marked the beginning of Prussian hegemony in Germany. This predetermined the future unification of Germany under the auspices of Prussia.
“Under the terms of the Peace of Paris, France renounced all claims to Canada, Nova Scotia and all the islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence; together with Canada, she ceded the Ohio Valley and all her territory to east coast Mississippi, excluding the city of New Orleans. At the same time, Spain, in exchange for Havana, which England returned to her, ceded Florida, by which name all her continental possessions east of the Mississippi were called. Thus, England acquired a colonial state that included Canada from Hudson Bay and all of the present United States east of the Mississippi. The possible benefits of possessing this vast area were only partly foreseen at that time, and at that time nothing predicted the indignation of the thirteen colonies. In the West Indies, England gave back to France important islands, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Four islands from the Lesser Antilles group, called neutral, were divided between two powers: Santa Lucia went to France, and St. Vincent, Tobago and Dominica to England, which also held Grenada. Minorca was returned to England, and since the return of this island to Spain was one of the conditions of its alliance with France, the latter, not being able to fulfill this condition now, ceded Louisiana to Spain, west of the Mississippi. In India, France recovered the possessions it had previously had, but lost the right to erect fortifications or maintain troops in Bengal and thus left the station at Chander Nagore defenseless. In short, France again gained the opportunity to trade in India, but practically abandoned its claims to political influence there. It was understood that the English company retained all its conquests. The right of fishing off the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which France had previously enjoyed, was reserved to it by treaty; but it was not given to Spain, which demanded it for its fishermen" ( Ibid.)
The Seven Years' War is one of the saddest events in Russian history. Having achieved great success on the territory of Prussia, Russia was replaced by an Emperor who did not lay claim to Prussian lands. It was Peter III, who idolized Frederick II.
The cause of this war (1756-1762) was the aggressive policy of Prussia, which sought to expand its borders. The reason for Russia's entry into the war was Prussia's attack on Saxony and the capture of the cities of Dresden and Leipzig.
The seven-year war involved Russia, France, Austria, Sweden on one side, Prussia and England on the other. Russia declared war on Prussia on September 1. 1756
During this protracted war, Russia managed to take part in several major battles and change three commanders-in-chief of the Russian troops. It is worth noting that at the beginning of the Seven Years' War, King Frederick II of Prussia had the nickname "invincible."
Field Marshal Apraksin, the first commander-in-chief of the Russian army in the Seven Years' War, prepared the army's offensive for almost a whole year. He occupied Prussian cities very slowly; the speed of the advance of Russian troops deep into Prussia left much to be desired. Frederick treated the Russian army with contempt and went to fight in the Czech Republic with his main troops.
The first major battle of the Seven Years' War, with the participation of the Russian army, took place near the village of Gross-Jägersdorf. The Russian army numbered 55 thousand people with 100 artillery guns. The Russian army was attacked by General Lewald. The situation was threatening. The situation was corrected by a bayonet attack by several Rumyantsev regiments. Apraksin reached the Keninsberg fortress and, standing under its walls, ordered the Russian army to retreat. For his actions, Apraksin was arrested, he was charged with treason, and he died during one of the interrogations.
General Fermor became the new commander of the Russian army. He moved Russian troops to Prussia, having 60 thousand people at his disposal. At the Battle of Zorndorf, the King of Prussia decided to personally defeat the Russian troops. At night, the Germans reached the rear of the Russian army and deployed artillery on the hills. The Russian army had to deploy the entire front of its attack. The battle was fierce, with varying success. As a result, having lost a lot of strength, the armies dispersed without identifying a winner.
Soon the Russian army was led by Saltykov, one of the associates of Peter I. The commander-in-chief proposed to unite the Russian army with the Austrian one and suggested moving to Berlin. The Austrians were afraid of the strengthening of Russia and abandoned such actions. In 1760, General Chernyshev’s corps took Berlin. Prussia suffered a great blow to its prestige.
In 1761, the Russian army again had a new commander-in-chief, Buturlin, who went with the main forces to Silesia. In the north, Rumyantsev was left to storm the Kolberg fortress. RumyantsevThe Russian fleet helped very actively. The future great commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov also took part in the assault on Kolberg. Soon the fortress was taken.
In the following years, Prussia was on the verge of disaster. The Seven Years' War was supposed to bring Russia great honors and new lands. But chance decided everything. Empress Elizabeth died on December 25, 1761, and Peter III, a great admirer of Frederick, ascended the throne. The Seven Years' War was stopped. Now Russian troops had to clear Prussia of its former allies...
Montreal allows tourists to immerse themselves in French traditions with an American accent. The European spirit reigns here and at the same time the atmosphere of the Western continent is clearly felt. On the one hand - fine cuisine and wine in restaurants, on the other - Indian totem poles in Botanical Garden. Old Town's Catholic churches stand in contrast to the modern business districts, and the futuristic Biosphere rises boldly above the tranquil landscapes of the St. Lawrence River Valley.
The first stone for the foundation of the city was laid by the French colonist Paul Chaumede de Maisonneuve. Several centuries later, the small settlement turned into a powerful industrial and commercial center, playing an important role in the country’s economy. For tourists, Montreal is a city of festivals, shows, entertainment and endless shopping. He is hospitable and always open to new guests.
The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.
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What to see and where to go in Montreal?
The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.
1. Old Montreal
The historical quarter of the city, within which the main attractions are located: the town hall, the Jacques Cartier bridge, the Notre-Dame de Montreal church, the clock tower and other places attractive to tourists. The history of this part of the city began in the 17th century, when the French settlement of Ville-Marie was founded. British colonists also made a significant contribution to the appearance of Old Montreal.
2. Mont-Royal
A small hill with three peaks located within the Montreal city limits. The main attractions of Mont-Royal are a stone cross over 30 meters high and the Oratory of St. Joseph - one of the largest Catholic churches in Canada. In 1876, a park appeared on the slopes of the hill, which eventually became popular place recreation for Montreal residents. People go cycling here in the summer and skiing in the winter.
3. Old Port of Montreal
An important transport hub in the past and a space for walking and relaxing in the present. Despite the loss of its strategic importance, old port It is still in operation, and ships often come here. Tourist ships also dock here. There is a cozy park along the embankment, which is nice to stroll along on a fine day. The port has an IMAX cinema and a city science museum.
4. Oratory of St. Joseph
Catholic basilica, erected at the beginning of the 20th century. At first it was a modest chapel that accommodated a small number of parishioners. In 1917, the need arose for expansion and a larger church was built. The third phase of construction began in 1924 and continued until 1967. The founder of the temple, Brother Andre, was famous for his miraculous deeds, so numerous pilgrims visited the basilica.
5. Notre Dame Cathedral
Montreal Cathedral, located within the historic city center. The building was built in the neo-Gothic style. Its 70-meter bell towers dominate all surrounding buildings. The temple was erected in 1672 with funds from the Catholic community. In 1924, architect D. O'Donell began work on a new building. When completed in 1872, the basilica became the largest religious building in North America.
6. Cathedral of Mary Queen of Peace
A Catholic church from the late 19th century, located in the modern district of Montreal, surrounded by skyscrapers. The building was built in Baroque and Renaissance styles. Its forms copy the outlines of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Of course, the Montreal Cathedral is much smaller than its Roman prototype, and there are also differences in interior decoration. But overall it is a smaller copy of the latter.
7. Notre-Dame de Bon Secours
The temple was built in the 18th century on the ruins old chapel which was damaged due to fire. The building was built in an interesting style Norman Gothic. At the temple there is a small museum of Marguerite Bourgeois, the holy founder of the female monastic order of the Mother of God. The exhibition introduces visitors to early history Montreal, the church itself, as well as with the worldly deeds of Margaret.
8. Arts Square
Montreal's main cultural complex, one of the largest in all of Canada. It is located in the eastern part of the city. The Arts Square is a multifunctional center where spectators can enjoy opera, ballet, drama, concerts, and visual arts. The complex was created in 1963 on the initiative of Mayor J. Drapou.
9. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The gallery is considered one of the largest and most famous in all of North America. It was founded as an Association fine arts in the middle of the 19th century. The collection contains more than 30 thousand items from different eras, including an extensive art exhibition with paintings by famous European painters. Most of collection was received as a gift from local patrons.
10. Pointe-à-Calliere Museum
Archaeological Museum, which was opened in 1992 to celebrate the 350th anniversary of Montreal. The complex of buildings is located in the heart of the Old Town. The museum consists of exhibition halls, a multimedia center, conference rooms and research rooms. It has its own permanent exhibition and temporary vernissages are held quite often.
11. Montreal Biodome
Montreal Biodome unites science Center, an ecological park simulating five ecosystems and a zoo under one roof. It is located in the building of a former velodrome, built for the 1976 Olympics. The main mission of the center is education in the field of ecology and promotion of responsible attitude towards environment. Lectures are often given here and films about nature are shown.
12. Montreal Insectarium
The insectarium's collection was based on the frequent collection of entomologist J. Brossard. It was thanks to him that a special place appeared in the city where visitors can look at all possible insects. The insectarium opened to the public in 1990 and has since become one of Montreal's most visited attractions. More than 250 thousand different species are represented here, more than 100 of them are living.
13. Biosphere
A unique museum located on St. Helena Island. Its exhibition is dedicated water resources St. Lawrence River. Unusual building resembles a huge soap bubble made of metal lace, inside of which engineering structures are placed. The biosphere was created for the 1967 World's Fair and was later handed over to the city authorities. The museum opened in 1990.
14. Montreal City Hall
City Council building located in historical center. The first town hall was built according to the design of A.-M. Perrault and A. Hutchison in the “second Empire” style. As a result of the fire in 1922, only the walls remained of the structure. Restoration work was carried out under the supervision of L. Parant, who gave the building features of the Beaux-Arts style. In 1984, the town hall was recognized as a national monument.
15. Habitat 67
An unusual residential complex in the brutalist style, designed by M. Safdie in the 60s of the 20th century. It was built for the opening of the 1967 World Exhibition, the theme of which was residential construction. In essence, Habitat 67 is an apartment building consisting of cubes fused together. Thanks to the design features, each apartment owner has his own personal garden on the roof of his neighbor.
16. "Underground City"
A system of tunnels, passages, halls, metro stations and shopping galleries located underground. Some residents refer to this space as "inner Montreal." There are also residential apartments, offices, cinemas and restaurants, among which it is quite easy to get lost. Residents often use the roads " underground city"to avoid traffic jams and get to your destination faster.
17. Market "Bonsecours"
Bonsecours is not exactly a market in the usual sense. Rather, it can be considered shopping center, which houses some of the most expensive stores in Montreal. Small boutiques sell furniture, dishes, stone and wood crafts, clothing, paintings and jewelry. All this commercial variety is occupied by a monumental building of the 19th century, which looks more like a parliamentary meeting hall.
18. Market "Jean-Talon"
Farmer's market selling healthy and nutritious food. A huge variety of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and herbs awaits customers on the shelves. Everything looks quite fresh, appetizing and is quite inexpensive, considering the local price level. From the exotic - zucchini flowers, which, it turns out, can be fried and eaten. They taste no worse than the zucchini itself.
19. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
The circuit hosts the Canadian stage of the Formula 1 race (Canadian Grand Prix). It is a rather winding route laid among lakes and park pavilions. There are many sharp turns here, which requires pilots to be professional and have maximum concentration. Interestingly, outside of racing, some sections of the circuit are used as public roads.
20. Montreal Botanical Garden
In 2008 the garden was recognized natural monument Canada thanks to the incredible diversity of species growing on its territory. Plants from all over the world are collected here. Under open air There are several thematic zones dedicated to individual countries or places on the planet: China, Japan, the Alps, the northern territories. The garden was founded in 1931 at the height of the Great Depression.
