Difference between revisions of "Quebec City"
(history) |
|||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
[[File:Quebec2.jpg|thumb|400px]] | [[File:Quebec2.jpg|thumb|400px]] | ||
| − | The French explorer and leader [[Samuel de Champlain]] founded a settlement at Québec in 1608, although earlier settlements had been attempted, the first in 1535, although harsh winters and hostile natives prevented a city from flourishing. The fate of Canada was decided in Québec in 1763 during the [[Seven Years' War]] when the British army under General [[James Wolfe]] defeated the French general [[Louis-Joseph de Montcalm]] and took the city. France | + | ==History== |
| + | The French explorer and leader [[Samuel de Champlain]] founded a settlement at Québec in 1608, although earlier settlements had been attempted, the first in 1535, although harsh winters and hostile natives prevented a city from flourishing. The fate of Canada was decided in Québec in 1763 during the [[Seven Years' War]] when the British army under General [[James Wolfe]] defeated the French general [[Louis-Joseph de Montcalm]] and took the city. France ceded New France to Britain. | ||
| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The city--indeed the entire province--was on the verge of civil war in 1918, as shown by the violent Easter Riots in Quebec City between 28 March and 1 April 1918. The riots demonstrated French-Canadian anger with the national war effort in [[World War I]] and the introduction of conscription. The French of Quebec refused to join the army and rejected the draft. The riots raised nationwide fears that a state of rebellion existed in the French-speaking province of Quebec. The Canadian government's reaction was immediate and firm; martial law was proclaimed, habeas corpus was suspended, and over six thousand English-speaking soldiers were deployed to Quebec during and after the riots to maintain order and enforce conscription, the last of these troops leaving the province in early 1919. The Easter Riots were extremely violent, causing important destruction of property and over 150 civilian and military casualties, including at least four dead when soldiers opened fire on rioters.<ref> Martin F. Auger, "On the Brink of Civil War: The Canadian Government and the Suppression of the 1918 Quebec Easter Riots," ''Canadian Historical Review'' 2008 89(4): 503-540</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Tourism== | ||
The City is unique in North America as the old part of the city is surrounded by city walls. A large hotel, the [[Chateau Frontenac]] over looks the narrowing of the [[Saint Lawrence River]] and the entire city. | The City is unique in North America as the old part of the city is surrounded by city walls. A large hotel, the [[Chateau Frontenac]] over looks the narrowing of the [[Saint Lawrence River]] and the entire city. | ||
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'', held in february since 1894<ref>http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/histoire.html</ref>. | ||
Revision as of 02:12, January 3, 2010
Quebec City (Québec City in French) is the second largest city and capital of the Canadian province Quebec.
History
The French explorer and leader Samuel de Champlain founded a settlement at Québec in 1608, although earlier settlements had been attempted, the first in 1535, although harsh winters and hostile natives prevented a city from flourishing. The fate of Canada was decided in Québec in 1763 during the Seven Years' War when the British army under General James Wolfe defeated the French general Louis-Joseph de Montcalm and took the city. France ceded New France to Britain.
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.
The city--indeed the entire province--was on the verge of civil war in 1918, as shown by the violent Easter Riots in Quebec City between 28 March and 1 April 1918. The riots demonstrated French-Canadian anger with the national war effort in World War I and the introduction of conscription. The French of Quebec refused to join the army and rejected the draft. The riots raised nationwide fears that a state of rebellion existed in the French-speaking province of Quebec. The Canadian government's reaction was immediate and firm; martial law was proclaimed, habeas corpus was suspended, and over six thousand English-speaking soldiers were deployed to Quebec during and after the riots to maintain order and enforce conscription, the last of these troops leaving the province in early 1919. The Easter Riots were extremely violent, causing important destruction of property and over 150 civilian and military casualties, including at least four dead when soldiers opened fire on rioters.[1]
Tourism
The City is unique in North America as the old part of the city is surrounded by city walls. A large hotel, the Chateau Frontenac over looks the narrowing of the Saint Lawrence River and the entire city. The city is well known for its winter festival, The Carnaval de Québec, held in february since 1894[2]. Québec city celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008.
Tourist Information
Québec city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. [3]
See also
References
- ↑ Martin F. Auger, "On the Brink of Civil War: The Canadian Government and the Suppression of the 1918 Quebec Easter Riots," Canadian Historical Review 2008 89(4): 503-540
- ↑ http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/histoire.html
- ↑ http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/villesquebec0.html