Final answer:
The French ceded their territories in North America to Britain after being defeated in the Seven Years' War, as per the Treaty of Paris of 1763.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the French were defeated, they ceded several territories to Britain. This occurred as a consequence of the Treaty of Paris signed in 1763, which ended the Seven Years' War, also known as the French and Indian War in North America. The treaty stipulated that France would give up all its territories in North America east of the Mississippi River, which included parts of Canada and French territories in North America. British forces were the beneficiaries of this significant territorial gain. As a result of the treaty, the British Empire solidified its position as a dominant global power, with a significant expansion of its colonial holdings.