Timeline of Quebec history (1774 to 1790)

This section of the Timeline of Quebec history concerns the events between the Quebec Act and the Constitutional Act.

1770s

• 1774 - On June 13, the British Parliament enacts the Quebec Act which is sanctioned by George III on June 22. The Act will be effective as of May 1, 1775.
• 1774 - On October 26, the American Continental Congress writes a Letter to the Inhabitants of the province of Quebec inviting them to join in their efforts.
• 1775 - The revolutionary troops of George Washington take Fort Ticonderoga on May 9, Fort Crown Point on May 11, and Fort Saint-Jean on May 18.
• 1775 - On May 22, Monseigneur Jean-Olivier Briand writes a mandement inviting the Catholics of the Province of Quebec to ignore the invitation of the rebels of the south and defend their country and their King.
• 1775 - On May 29, the American Continental Congress writes a Letter to the Inhabitants of Canada inviting them to join in the revolution.
• 1775 - Montreal capitulates to the Americans on November 13.
• 1776 - Declaration of Independence signature on July 4.
• 1775 - The troops of Richard Montgomery are defeated before Quebec City on December 31.
• 1778 - The Gazette du Commerce et Littéraire pour la Ville et District de Montréal is founded in Montreal by Fleury Mesplet in the spring.
• 1779 - On June 2, The publishing of the Gazette Littéraire is stopped.
• 1779 - Fleury Mesplet and Valentin Jautard are arrested by order of the governor on June 4.

1780s

• 1783 - Arrival of the first of 8,000 United Empire Loyalists who settle mainly in the remote rural area now referred to as the Eastern Townships.
• 1783 - Fleury Mesplet gets out of prison in September.
• 1784 - The population of the Province of Quebec is 113,012.
• 1784 - A group of 2291 petitioners (1436 Canadiens and 855 British) demand the creation of a house of assembly for all without regards to nationality or religion.
• 1785 - Fleury Mesplet founds the newspaper The Montreal Gazette / Gazette de Montréal on August 28.
• 1786 - John Molson founds the Molson Breweries.
• 1789 - The French Revolution begins on July 14 with the storming of the Bastille.
• 1789 - On October 20, William Wyndham Grenville writes a confidential letter to Lord Dorchester in which he recommends that the latter makes concessions regarding the government of the Province of Quebec rather than wait for the Canadiens to rebel and take it all, inspired by what is happening in France and what their neighbours to the south already have.

1790s