Changes

The Americans tried to capture the city in 1775. British Forts Chambly and St. Johns, located southeast of Montreal, fell to a prolonged American siege under General Richard Montgomery that sufficiently delayed and thereby doomed the subsequent American winter siege of Quebec City.

The Americans tried to capture the city in 1775. British Forts Chambly and St. Johns, located southeast of Montreal, fell to a prolonged American siege under General Richard Montgomery that sufficiently delayed and thereby doomed the subsequent American winter siege of Quebec City.

===19th century decline===

===19th century decline===

Quebec City dominated Lower Canada as the seat of government in that province (except for 1844-49) as well as the center of many religious institutions, including the only Canadian Catholic diocese until 1836. In the Catholic Church, it became the center of the Liberal-Ultramontane controversy. The establishment of the national capital at Quebec in 1859 restored the city to dominance, and led to an influx of intellectuals. When Ottawa was made the capital in 1865, Quebec City lost its importance.

Quebec City dominated Lower Canada as the seat of government in that province (except for 1844-49) as well as the center of many religious institutions, including the only Canadian Catholic diocese until 1836. In the Catholic Church, it became the center of the Liberal-Ultramontane controversy. The establishment of the national capital at Quebec in 1859 restored the city to dominance, and led to an influx of intellectuals. When Ottawa was made the capital in 1865, Quebec City lost its importance.

During the first half of the 19th century, Quebec City experienced significant economic and demographic growth. Nevertheless, by 1860, a crisis had already set in, one that lasted until the end of the century and was due to the collapse of the city's economic foundations. It was a period of social and economic stagnation for the city, even though it remained the capital of the province of Quebec.  

During the first half of the 19th century, Quebec City experienced significant economic and demographic growth. Nevertheless, by 1860, a crisis had already set in, one that lasted until the end of the century and was due to the collapse of the city's economic foundations. It was a period of social and economic stagnation for the city, even though it remained the capital of the province of Quebec.  

==Tourism==

==Tourism==

Tourists visiting leading heritage sites are heirs to 19th-century gentry tourism. Well-to-do Americans and Europeans started traveling to Canada in the 1830's. Quebec City was as early as the 18th century a much reputed town and even a symbol because of its exceptional site and situation.  

[[File:Quebec3.jpg|thumb|250px]] Tourists visiting leading heritage sites are heirs to 19th-century gentry tourism. Well-to-do Americans and Europeans started traveling to Canada in the 1830's. Quebec City was as early as the 18th century a much reputed town and even a symbol because of its exceptional site and situation.  

The City is unique in North America as the old part of the city is surrounded by city walls and fortifications.  A large hotel, the [[Chateau Frontenac]] over looks the narrowing of the [[Saint Lawrence River]] and the entire city.  The upper town belonged to businessmen, priests, and politicians, the lower town was home to sailors, whores, and criminals. The cliffs separating the two towns were deemed unscalable, but in recent decades gentrification has cleaned out the old crime-ridden slums in "basse ville" (the lower city). Even old-time, tubercular, working-class areas like Limoilou have been upgraded to international tourist standards. Hotels and restaurants have been carved from former residences. The churches have become quiet museums. Laval University has moved to the suburbs.

The City is unique in North America as the old part of the city is surrounded by city walls and fortifications.  A large hotel, the [[Chateau Frontenac]] over looks the narrowing of the [[Saint Lawrence River]] and the entire city.  The upper town belonged to businessmen, priests, and politicians, the lower town was home to sailors, whores, and criminals. The cliffs separating the two towns were deemed unscalable, but in recent decades gentrification has cleaned out the old crime-ridden slums in "basse ville" (the lower city). Even old-time, tubercular, working-class areas like Limoilou have been upgraded to international tourist standards. Hotels and restaurants have been carved from former residences. The churches have become quiet museums. Laval University has moved to the suburbs.

The city is well known for its winter festival, The ''Carnaval de Québec'', held in February since 1894<ref>http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/histoire.html</ref>.

The city is well known for its winter festival, The ''Carnaval de Québec'', has been held every February since 1894<ref>http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/histoire.html</ref>.

Québec city celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008.

Québec city celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008.