Why did Montreal surrender to British forces in 1760?

Montreal surrendered to British forces on September 8, 1760, primarily because the French position in North America had become untenable due to a series of decisive British military successes and strategic advantages during the Seven Years’ War.12

By 1760, New France was caught in what has been described as "cruelly closing pincers" as British forces executed a coordinated, concentric advance on Montreal. This pressure was compounded by several critical factors:32

• British Naval Dominance: The Royal Navy effectively blockaded the coast, preventing France from sending necessary troop reinforcements and munitions to Canada.1
• Resource Depletion: While the British colonies possessed abundant agricultural resources, French Canada faced near-famine conditions because the naval blockades made it impossible to import food.1
• Military Momentum: Following the British victory at the Battle of Quebec in 1759, the French military capacity was severely diminished.12

Faced with these overwhelming odds and the loss of their last major stronghold, the governor-general, the marquis de Vaudreuil, was compelled to surrender Montreal and all of Canada to the British.1