Battle of Quebec, 1759 - Strategic Implications

摘要

The Battle of Quebec in 1759 was one of the most decisive engagements of early North American history and resulted in changing the political landscape of the world for over 200 years. At the time France was the dominant land power in the western world with over 250,000 soldiers under arms. France faced no peer rival that could reasonably expect to defeat its Army in a direct confrontation. Britain, historically antagonistic towards France, maintained only a small standing Army and was of limited threat to France's worldwide dominion. Thus, in order to establish an unchallenged worldwide trading empire and to allow for colonial expansion, Britain formulated a strategy to defeat France without direct confrontation on the European continent. Britain maintained a substantial Navy, which provided its Army with significant strategic mobility. The British strategy called for execution of numerous small-scale contingencies around the world, which would cause France to commit both resources and personnel. With France over-committed and embroiled in numerous worldwide contingencies, Britain could then attack the French strategic center of gravity in North America: the city of Quebec.