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, reinforcements of British regulars and troops hired from the German states of Brunswick and Hess-Hanau 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.