<P> Wolfe arrived outside Quebec on 28 June . For much of the rest of the summer, he probed the defences of the city, trying to find a way through . Montcalm constantly frustrated him, shifting his own troops about in response . The cat - and - mouse game between the two generals reached a climax towards the end of the summer . If Wolfe could not capture the city he would likely be forced to withdraw in the face of the hostile Canadian winter . An attempt to land on the Montmorency was beaten back at the Battle of Beauport, and almost proved disastrous . Wolfe now searched for another place to land and make his attack . On 12 September the British learned of a convenient landing spot, and Wolfe moved his army there at night . The following day the Battle of the Plains of Abraham took place . It proved to be a decisive British victory, though one in which both Wolfe and Montcalm were killed . The British then took over the city . </P> <P> The British were further cheered by the news that Amherst had taken Fort Carillon (after which it was renamed Fort Ticonderoga, as it is known today) and a second expedition had captured Fort Niagara . The French and their native allies were now under increasing pressure, compounded by guerrilla activities spearheaded by Britain's Mohawk allies and Rogers' Rangers . Despite the celebrated victory at Quebec, the campaign was not over--the French still had significant forces at large in North America swelled by refugees from the surrounding countryside . The following spring the French regrouped and launched an attempt to retake Quebec . The Battle of Sainte - Foy took place on 28 April 1760 and proved even bloodier than the previous battle . Though the French prevailed, the British were able to retreat into Quebec and hold it against a siege that lasted for a fortnight . </P> <P> The arrival of British ships and reinforcements ended the French offensive and forced them to retreat in the direction of Montreal . The British pursued, capturing parts of the city on 1 September 1760 after encountering only light resistance . The last French army under Lévis was finally forced to surrender on 6 September 1760 when a second British army under Amherst arrived from the south following the Battle of the Thousand Islands, and an attempt at French reinforcement was stopped in the naval Battle of the Restigouche . </P> <P> The British had responded to the French challenge in North America by striking at the heart of New France . Though it had been a long and costly series of campaigns, it proved to be one of the most successful of Pitt's policies . While a modest French presence remained in Illinois and Louisiana the fighting served to end any significant French military threats in North America for good . </P>

How did the french attempt to secure their hold on the vast areas they claimed in north america