In the mid-19th century, Québec City was still geographically split by social class. Lower Town was inhabited mainly by small merchants, workers and craftsmen, while Upper Town had a concentration of wealthy merchants, politicians and military personnel. The city walls long kept the two populations apart.

1840 - 1873

Changing of the guard in Québec City

After the American revolutionaries’ 1775 attack on Québec City, the British authorities reinforced their military presence in the city. Considered to be a strategic site to defend, Québec City was home to large British garrisons. For decades, the daily lives of the city’s residents were marked by this heavy military presence. Things changed, however, with the signing of the Treaty of Washington on May 8, 1871, which settled several disputes between Britain and the United States. An era of peaceful political relations began, and most of the British garrisons left Québec City with a grand ceremony. Relive the events through the period’s artworks!

Prescott Gate on Côte-de-la-Montagne Street, Québec City

James Tingle, after William Henry Bartlett In the mid-19th century, Québec City was still geographically split by social class. Lower Town was inhabited mainly by small merchants, workers and craftsmen, while Upper Town had a concentration of wealthy merchants, politicians and military personnel. The city walls long kept the two populations apart.

Chronoscope Can you locate this place on the map? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1840

Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1840

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