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'''Québec'''  is the largest [[province]] in [[Canada]] geographically, and the second most populous after [[Ontario]]. The English name is  Quebec.  The capital is [[Québec City]] and the largest city is [[Montreal|Montréal]] (Montreal).  Quebec entered Confederation in 1867 and has a total area of 1,540,680 km².  The population of Quebec was 7,546,131 in 2006, approximately 23.4% of the national total.<ref>[http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/provinces/p/quebecfacts.htm Canadaonline]</ref>   

'''Québec'''  is the largest [[province]] in [[Canada]] geographically, and the second most populous after [[Ontario]]. The English name is  Quebec.  The capital is [[Québec City]] and the largest city is [[Montreal|Montréal]] (Montreal).  Quebec entered Confederation in 1867 and has a total area of 1,540,680 km².  The population of Quebec was 7,546,131 in 2006, approximately 23.4% of the national total.<ref>[http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/provinces/p/quebecfacts.htm Canadaonline]</ref>   

Quebec traces its roots to French colonization of North America prior to the British conquest of Canada in 1760 during the [[French and Indian Wars]].  Quebec still retains much of the unique French-language culture, although it has had very connections with France in 250 years. The "[[Quiet Revolution]]" of the 1960s dramatically changed the province, as it modernized rapidly and the catholic Church lost most of its power and a large portion of its membership. A new sense of French nationalism emerged, calling for an independent nation and meanwhile forcing out most of the great business and banking corporations that were run by Anglo Canadians (they moved to [[Toronto]]).

Quebec traces its roots to French colonization of North America prior to the British conquest of Canada in 1760 during the [[French and Indian Wars]].  Quebec still retains a unique French-language culture, although it has had little connection with France since the conquest. The "[[Quiet Revolution]]" of the 1960s dramatically changed the province; it modernized rapidly and the Catholic Church lost much of its innfluence, along with a large portion of its membership. A new sense of French nationalism emerged, calling for an independent nation, and meanwhile forcing out most of the great business and banking corporations that were run by English Canadians (they moved to [[Toronto]]).

The official language of the province is [[French]], although many residents are bilingual, speaking both French and [[English]]. Laws and regulations must be written in both English and French as per the Constitution Act of 1867. The provincial government has severely restricted the use of English in signage and schools.  

The official language of the province is [[French]], although many residents are bilingual, speaking both French and [[English]]. Laws and regulations must be written in both English and French as per the Constitution Act of 1867. The provincial government has severely restricted the use of English in signage and schools.

==Economy==

==Economy==

==Recent history since 2000==

==Recent history since 2000==

The separatist movement has waned recently, and since 2003 Québec has been governed by a pro-federalist party.  On March 26, 2007, the Liberal Party of Québec, led by [[Jean Charest]], was elected to a minority government, with Mario Dumont's Action Démocratique Québec forming the official opposition. The former official opposition, the Parti Québecois led by André Boisclair, finished the election in third place.

The separatist movement has waned recently, and since 2003 Québec has been governed by a pro-federalist party.  On March 26, 2007, the Liberal Party of Québec, led by [[Jean Charest]], was elected to a minority government, with Mario Dumont's Action Démocratique Québec forming the official opposition. The former official opposition, the Parti Québecois led by André Boisclair, finished the election in third place.

==History==

==History==

The '''history of Quebec''' stretches from the French explorers and settlers of the 17th century to a modern secular province of Canada in the 21st century that stresses a commitment to the French language and asks whether it should be independence of [[Canada]].  The official name is "Quebec" since Confederation in 1867; previous names include "[[New France]]," (1534 to 1763), "Province of Quebec" (1763-91), "Lower Canada" (1791-1841), and "Canada East" in the Province of Canada (1841-67). From 1783 to 1867 it was part of the [[British Empire]] informally called '''British North America.'''<ref> Along with Nova Scotia, Cape Breton (annexed to Nova Scotia in 1820), Upper Canada (Ontario),  St John's Island (Prince Edward Island), Newfoundland, the Hudson's Bay Company Territories, and some land belonging directly to the Crown.</ref>

The '''history of Quebec''' stretches from the French explorers and settlers of the 17th century to a modern secular province of Canada in the 21st century that stresses a commitment to the French language and asks whether it should be independence of [[Canada]].  The official name is "Quebec" since Confederation in 1867; previous names include "[[New France]]," (1534 to 1763), "Province of Quebec" (1763-91), "Lower Canada" (1791-1841), and "Canada East" in the Province of Canada (1841-67). From 1783 to 1867 it was part of the [[British Empire]] informally called '''British North America.'''<ref> Along with Nova Scotia, Cape Breton (annexed to Nova Scotia in 1820), Upper Canada (Ontario),  St John's Island (Prince Edward Island), Newfoundland, the Hudson's Bay Company Territories, and some land belonging directly to the Crown.</ref>

===New France===

===New France===

for history prior to 1763 see [[New France]]

For a history of Quebec prior to 1763, see [[New France]].

===British Colonial rule===

===British Colonial rule===

====Quebec Act, 1774====

====Quebec Act, 1774====

see also, [[Quebec Act]]

{{main|[[Quebec Act]]}}

In 1774 the British Parliament, threatened by restless American colonies, sought Canadiens' loyalty by passing the [[Quebec Act]]. It became the Magna Carta of French-Canadian liberties, for it guaranteed basic rights, with an oath of loyalty to the Crown replacing the anti-Catholic oaths. The Roman Catholic Church gained official recognition, and the the Act enabled it legally to collect the tithe (a 10% tax on farm produce). Government was vested in a governor and a legislative council, which had full power of internal legislation and taxation. The French civil law was restored in place of English common law, although English criminal law was retained. In addition, the French language received official approval. Finally, the boundaries of Quebec were extended to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. British concessions strengthened conservative Canadiens and made them loyal to the British Crown at the moment when revolution was sweeping the American colonies. Indeed, the Americans were especially angry with the Quebec Act because it gave Catholics generous new rights while Britain was cutting back on the rights of Americans.  

In 1774 the British Parliament, threatened by restless American colonies, sought Canadiens' loyalty by passing the [[Quebec Act]]. It became the Magna Carta of French-Canadian liberties, for it guaranteed basic rights, with an oath of loyalty to the Crown replacing the anti-Catholic oaths. The Roman Catholic Church gained official recognition, and the the Act enabled it legally to collect the tithe (a 10% tax on farm produce). Government was vested in a governor and a legislative council, which had full power of internal legislation and taxation. The French civil law was restored in place of English common law, although English criminal law was retained. In addition, the French language received official approval. Finally, the boundaries of Quebec were extended to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. British concessions strengthened conservative Canadiens and made them loyal to the British Crown at the moment when revolution was sweeping the American colonies. Indeed, the Americans were especially angry with the Quebec Act because it gave Catholics generous new rights while Britain was cutting back on the rights of Americans.