Challange: Turn The American Invasion Of Canada (Quebec) In 1775 Into a Victory

Early in the American Revolution,the idea was to take Quebec. This was for a number of reasons,I remember one key reason was that the British was using the region to attack the upper American colonies..and to resupply their own forces..and the Continental Army wanted to prevent this.

So the Americans went up,to try and invade Quebec..to try and bring it to join the Thirteen Colonies in their rebellion against Great Britain. But it was a plain disaster,there was little support in Quebec..outdated maps..poorly supplied solders..Richard Montgomery was killed..Benedict Arnold was injured..and the timing was also bad...instead of waiting until a decent time..the attack took place during the winter.

A lot of people like to think,that if Quebec was taken..then it would be a high chance of the Americans gaining control of the entire North American continent.

The challenge is this,what would have to happen to turn this invasion into a victory? Would the time of the invasion have to be changed? Would more men be needed to take Montreal and Quebec? Better communication?

But here's the twist..some might think..."Quebec? That large province? It's too big to be taken by a militia." But not Quebec today,I'm talking about Quebec in 1775..basically Upper and Lower Canada. This is what the Americans are trying to take. (Basically what was considered to be Quebec during the Revoultion)

So,with this in mind..would it be that much of a stretch for the Americans to take the region as the 14th Colony? The goal was to take Quebec,even though I believe Montreal was taken with little resistance.
 
But here's the twist..some might think..."Quebec? That large province? It's too big to be taken by a militia." But not Quebec today,I'm talking about Quebec in 1775..basically Upper and Lower Canada. This is what the Americans are trying to take. (Basically what was considered to be Quebec during the Revoultion)

Actually, the British Province of Quebec also had the old north west in it as well.
 
Indeed,as to avoid confusion..Quebec and Montreal must be taken. The original idea,but the challange is to make it work. Meaning the goal has to be the same,but the way to do it..can be changed.

491px-American_attack_on_Quebec_svg.png
 
Have Ethan Allen's attack on Montreal and succeed in capturing Guy Carleton and/or have the American squadron in the Gulf of St. Lawrence enter the St. Lawrence river and attack and capture HMS Lizard(preventing her from aiding in the defense of Quebec).
 
Last I checked, it wasn't proven that that was Ethan Allen, but yes, that :) in OTL, some rebel cannon opened fire before Carleton was really in range, and he was able to withdraw with 1 dead and 4 wounded IIRC; make the rebels more patient, and Sir Guy is a prisoner and 1/3 the defending forces in Quebec are neutralized. Montgomery still dies, because charging emplaced cannon with infantry across a river is still a BAD plan, but in that case, Benedict Arnold takes and holds the place through winter, and siezes enough supplies to winter comfortably and treat the Loyalist prisoners in a civilized manner.

Which doesn't matter in the long run, because Hull will be arriving in spring with a force large enough to take the place back effortlessly. Three months is enough time to chain the St. Lawrence, though, and make an almighty nuisance of oneself harrying Hull's force as it makes a march south that wasn't planned for. Basically, rebel forces are already spread much thinner than they'd like, and the rebels can't afford to open up and sustain another front; the Quebecois are entirely uninterested in actively supporting the rebellion.

So taking Quebec once is not very hard. Holding it is nearly impossible, because there's no way Hull will get the word in time to divert somewhere else (like New York), nor any certainty he'd be interested in changing plans even if he did somehow get word.
 
Top