ABSTRACT
The possibilities for invading Canada were determined by geography. The key to Canada was the St Lawrence River, and its two main cities, Q!:Iebec and Montreal. In the French and Indian War, the British had conquered Canada from the French by sending troops by sea into the St Lawrence and capturing Q!:Iebec. Once Q!:Iebec was taken, those to the West were cut off from supplies and reinforcements. Canada fell. In the War of 1812, as in the Revolution, British naval power made it impossible for the Americans to contemplate reaching the St Lawrence by sea. The obvious point of attack by land was Montreal, which was at the head of navigation. Montreal could be reached by marching northwards from Lake Champlain.
