The Quebec Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1774. It aimed to organize the governance of the territory acquired from France after the Seven Years' War. The Act expanded the boundaries of the province of Quebec, allowing it to include parts of what are now Ontario and the Midwest United States. It also established a system of governance that respected the French language and Catholic religion of the inhabitants. Additionally, the Quebec Act allowed for the continuation of French civil law, while British criminal law was applied. This legislation was significant because it aimed to create a stable environment for the French-speaking population, but it also fueled tensions with the American colonies, contributing to the growing discontent that led to the American Revolution.