Invasion of Quebec 1775 Successful

What could have made the Invasion of Quebec 1775 successful? At one point I believe Congress assigned Lafayette (instead of Schuyler) to lead the invasion, might Lafayette's leadership, charisma, and French blood allow him to orchestrate a better, more supported invasion?

And if the invasion is successful (takes Montreal and Quebec) what might the effects be? Could the Americans successfully establish good relations with the French inhabitants?

Also what would the success of such an invasion do the reputations of Arnold, Montgomery, and Burr?
 
And if the invasion is successful (takes Montreal and Quebec) what might the effects be? Could the Americans successfully establish good relations with the French inhabitants?
Lafayette, a monarchist will not want to encourage an independent French republic in Quebec. This may start the French revolution early, so I'd say Quebec gets retaken as a French colony.

And, if French power is renewed in Quebec, do we still see Napoleon sell off...

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Or perhaps he sell Quebec to the USA as well!
 
If the French retake Quebec as a Colony, would that delay the oncoming or would that spur it forward? Also would a Quebec colony serve as a place for Royalist to retreat to or even allowing a member of the House of Bourbon to stylize themselves as the King of Quebec?
 

longsword14

Banned
If the French retake Quebec as a Colony, would that delay the oncoming or would that spur it forward? Also would a Quebec colony serve as a place for Royalist to retreat to or even allowing a member of the House of Bourbon to stylize themselves as the King of Quebec?
It wouldn't be much other than a refuge. Quebec is too weak to lend any support and too far away for any Royalist force to intervene. Nobles would also run off to other European nations before Quebec.
 
If the French retake Quebec as a Colony, would that delay the oncoming or would that spur it forward? Also would a Quebec colony serve as a place for Royalist to retreat to or even allowing a member of the House of Bourbon to stylize themselves as the King of Quebec?
If France retakes Quebec, the Americans are back to their position prior to 1763's Treaty of Paris; with a major Global Power on its northern and western flank, but this time there's no British Empire to help them.

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In fact, Britain will be worried for its colonies in Upper and Atlantic Canada, and may seek a deal with the French to crush the Americans.
 
What could have made the Invasion of Quebec 1775 successful?

Definitely not David Wooster, I think if Richard Montgomery or John Thomas had lived they would have been the commanders able to secure a victory over Quebec City. The keys to the initial victory over Quebec are cohesion, initiative, treating the local inhabitants fairly, and an intensive diplomatic effort with the Iroquois.

Clearly Arnold’s march to Quebec from Maine was a failure. What I propose is for an early effort to be made to secure Halifax. This cannot be done without earlier and greater French support. Supposing Montgomery captured Quebec, and supposing the Thomas captured Halifax they will still be driven out by the much more numerous British army. I think the British pincer move from the Saint Lawrence and the Hudson will still play out, but fail harder than it did in the OTL.

Assuming the best for the Patriots, they will have prepared fighting positions which allow them to pull back into the strategic depths of Acadia for Halifax, and upstate New York for Quebec. Thomas will make the British fight dearly to obtain a base in Halifax, and then escape back to Maine. Burgoyne’s army will attack Quebec City, then be bloodily lead Into Schuyler’s trap by a withdrawing Montgomery, and defeated by a waiting Arnold. It is possible for the American withdraw from Quebec to be so bloody for the British that this field army is defeated at Fort Ticonderoga rather than Saratoga.

Assuming the early French support could only ever be more volunteers, money, and equipment (instead of a field army or the actual navy) the British will still take New York City (and New Port, Rhode Island). I think the taking of New York City could be made more difficult for the British, and that they could be locked within the city. Howe will still attempt his Chesapeake Landing, which presents an opportunity for him to be captured (maybe at Brandywine).

With at least Carleton, Burgoyne, Howe, Cornwallis, and Knyphausen captured that leaves Clinton in New York and whomever in Quebec City and Halifax. The Patriots could attempt to reinvade Canada, but I’m not sure it’s necessary because the people in Canada and Nova Scotia will be unhappy with the harsh British occupation compared to the light Patriot occupation.

In this best possible scenario (for the Patriots) the British will quickly negotiate a peace that would turn over all of British North America to the Patriots. I don’t know just what combination of factors is needed to make this happen, and I think it is the very extent of plausibility.
 
If France retakes Quebec, the Americans are back to their position prior to 1763's Treaty of Paris; with a major Global Power on its northern and western flank, but this time there's no British Empire to help them.

In fact, Britain will be worried for its colonies in Upper and Atlantic Canada, and may seek a deal with the French to crush the Americans.

France retaking Canada doesn't necessarily mean it's also getting the Ohio Valley back, though. France and the USA could agree to divide up the British territories.
 
If France retakes Quebec, the Americans are back to their position prior to 1763's Treaty of Paris; with a major Global Power on its northern and western flank, but this time there's no British Empire to help them.

and at this point Louisiana is under the control of Spain, which got "retaken" during the French Revolution
 
ITOL with The Treaty of Paris(1763) Louisiana was ceded to Spain, during Napoleon's tenure Spain Secretly Ceded Louisiana back to France in exchange for Tuscany(that didn't last long) with the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1800, The Louisiana purchase happened in 1802 and then Spain finally recognized the shift in control.

But France retaking Quebec changes things. But were Quebec stands when the revolution kicks off and what Napoleon(if he rose to power in this TL) would do about with Quebec. If the Treaty of San Ildfonso happens would France be more likely to hold on the Louisiana if it can connect with Quebec. or would it not really be worth it economically with Britain ruling the seas and with the ongoing revolt in Haiti(if it happens in this timeline)
 
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