The Province of Quebec in the
British Empire
1764 – 1791
The concessions
 Very few British immigrants came to Quebec. If they
did, they stayed in the cities away from the
Canadiens (less assimilation)
 To ease the tension between the British and the
Canadiens, Governor Murray brings back French
civil law and allows a new Catholic bishop to be
appointed.
 Prominent Canadiens send petitions to the British
King demanding more changes. Most importantly,
they want the Test Act repealed (gotten rid of)
Governor Murray (1st Governor of Quebec)
Jean-Olivier Briand (1st Bishop of Quebec)
Division Among British Colonists
 The British colonist disagree on how the colony is
governor and how Canadiens should be treated and
form two parties:
 French Party: Made up of administrators and nobles.
They are happy to make concessions to the
Canadiens to keep the peace.
 British Party: Made up of wealthy merchants. They
are furious about the concessions. They want to see
total assimilation and the establishment of a
legislative assembly.
Cape Diamond Timber Depot in Wolfe’s Quebec
Ships loading timber in Quebec 1860
American Revolution and the Quebec Act
 During the 1760’s and the 1770’s, the inhabitants of the
Thirteen Colonies expressed anger towards Great Britain.
They were upset about the the taxes they had to pay and
the little say they had in the governing of the colony. The
American Revolution begins in 1774.
 Great Britain was afraid that the Canadiens would join
with the Americans in a revolt against Great Britain.
 To avoid this, British Parliament passes the Quebec Act
in 1774, which brought back French civil law to Quebec,
expanded the territory, got rid of the Test Act and
recognized the Catholic religion. All this was meant to
keep the Canadiens from rebelling.
Boston Tea Party (Dec 1773)
U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776)
Province of Quebec 1774
Reactions to the Quebec Act
 Catholic Church: Welcomed it as it protected their
religion. Encouraged Canadiens to not rebel.
 Canadiens: They were content. Quebec Act still does
not change much on the seigneuries where they live.
 British merchants: They are furious. They want to
Canadiens assimilated. They do not want to make
any concessions to the Canadiens.
 Americans: They don’t like it either. Americans want
control of the Ohio Valley which is a part of the new
territory of Quebec. In 1775, rebels try and invade
Quebec.
Treaty of Paris of 1783
 The Thirteen Colonies defeat the British.
 In the Treaty of Paris (1783) Great Britain recognizes
the new country, the United States of America.
 Loyalists – British subjects who have allegiance to
British king, who leave the 13 Colonies during or
after the war and come to Quebec. They are “loyal” to
the king and also expect Quebec to be a English
speaking, Protestant, British colony. They settle in
the southern parts of Quebec (Eastern Townships)
Essay Question Practice
 1) Figure out who and what you have to talk about
 2) Write your topic sentence
 3) Provide your reasons or explanations in order of
weakest to strongest.
 4) Read your topic sentence again and make sure it
matches what you have written already.
 5) Write a conclusion that sums up everything you
said already and matches your topic sentence.