Province of Quebec (1763-1791) facts for kids
The Province of Quebec was a large area in North America that used to be a colony. It was created by Great Britain after a big war called the Seven Years' War.
Great Britain gained control of French Canada (which was part of New France) through a peace agreement. This agreement was called the Treaty of Paris (1763). During the talks, France wanted to keep a small island called Guadeloupe in the Caribbean Sea. This island was very important because it produced a lot of sugar.
After this, Great Britain made an official announcement called the Royal Proclamation of 1763. In this announcement, French Canada was officially renamed the Province of Quebec. This new province was huge! It stretched from the coast of Labrador on the Atlantic Ocean. Then it went southwest through the Saint Lawrence River Valley. It continued all the way to the Great Lakes and even further. It reached the point where the Ohio River and Mississippi River meet.
Later, some parts of the Province of Quebec were given to the United States. This happened after the American Revolution ended. The land was given away in another peace agreement, the Treaty of Paris (1783).
Contents
How the Province of Quebec Began
The Province of Quebec was formed in 1763. This happened after Great Britain won the Seven Years' War against France. Before this, the area was known as New France. It was a French colony.
The Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris (1763) officially ended the Seven Years' War. In this treaty, France gave up most of its land in North America to Great Britain. This included what is now Canada. France chose to keep the small but valuable island of Guadeloupe instead.
The Royal Proclamation of 1763
Soon after the treaty, Great Britain issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763. This document set up new rules for the lands Great Britain had just won. It also officially renamed the former French Canada as the Province of Quebec. The proclamation also set new boundaries for the colony.
Where the Province Was Located
The Province of Quebec covered a very large area. Its borders changed a bit over time.
Original Borders (1763)
When it was first created in 1763, the Province of Quebec was smaller. It mainly included the area along the Saint Lawrence River. This was the most populated part of former New France.
Expanded Borders (1774)
In 1774, the British passed the Quebec Act. This law greatly expanded the province's borders. It added a lot of land to the southwest. This new land included areas that are now parts of the United States. These areas stretched to the Great Lakes and beyond. They reached the Ohio River and Mississippi River.
Changes After the American Revolution
After the American Revolution ended in 1783, the Province of Quebec lost some of its southern lands. The Treaty of Paris (1783) gave these lands to the newly formed United States. This meant the province's southern border moved north.
Life in the Province of Quebec
Life in the Province of Quebec was a mix of French and British cultures. Most people living there were French-speaking Canadiens. They had their own laws and customs.
French and British Cultures
The British allowed the French-speaking people to keep their language and their Roman Catholic religion. They also kept their French civil law system. This was different from the British common law system. This helped keep the peace between the new British rulers and the French-speaking population.
Government and Laws
The province was ruled by a British governor. However, the Quebec Act of 1774 was very important. It officially recognized the rights of the French-speaking population. This included their religion and their legal system. This was a big step in keeping the unique culture of Quebec.
End of the Province of Quebec
The Province of Quebec lasted for almost 30 years. It was eventually divided into two new colonies.
Constitutional Act of 1791
In 1791, the British Parliament passed the Constitutional Act of 1791. This act divided the Province of Quebec into two parts:
- Lower Canada: This was the eastern part, mostly French-speaking. It is now part of Quebec.
- Upper Canada: This was the western part, mostly English-speaking. It is now part of Ontario.
This division was made to give both French-speaking and English-speaking people their own governments. It also helped manage the growing number of British settlers.
Images for kids
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Map of British North America showing the original boundaries of the Province of Quebec and its Quebec Act of 1774 post-annexation boundaries
See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Quebec (1763-1791) para niños
