The significant battle that established the French foothold in North America was the Battle of Quebec in 1759 during the Seven Years' War. This confrontation was a pivotal moment in the struggle for dominance over North America between the British and the French. British forces, led by General James Wolfe, successfully besieged the city of Quebec, resulting in a decisive victory over the French under General Montcalm. The loss weakened French control in Canada and set the stage for British hegemony in North America, culminating in the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which ceded much of France's North American territories to Britain.