Clash Of Empires

 A French medal and tomahawk share this display case. The tomahawk is a combination of First Nations weaponry with European technology- the blade is iron, a French touch, making this a formidable weapon indeed.

The French and their First Nations allies worked together closely during the Post-Contact Wars, sharing technology and customs, helping each other survive in a hostile land. That's reflected in this pair of mannequins.

An old rivalry from Europe rose up, as the British had established their own presence in North America, and picked up their fight with the French in the new world.

It exploded in what is called the French and Indian War, or Seven Years War abroad. By the end of it all, the French would lose the war and much of their possessions in the Americas.

This mortar was used at Louisbourg, one of the battles of that time.

Here we have a model of the Plains of Abraham, just outside Quebec City, where the war came to its climax with the French defeat at the hands of the British.

Out of the French and Indian War would rise discontent in the American colonies, and out of that would come the American Revolution. Not everyone agreed with the cause, and Loyalists formed up with the British military to take issue with the Continentals. Among them were escaped slaves like Richard Pierpoint, who fought with Butler's Rangers, settled in Canada, and would later fight in the War of 1812.

Joseph Brant, seen at centre here, led his Mohawk peoples against the Americans, and would also settle in what's now Ontario.

Early in the war, Continental troops under Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold (yes, that one) would invade Quebec, unsuccessfully laying siege to Quebec City. They were held off by regular troops and militia, and driven out by reinforcements.