What was the reaction of many colonists to the Quebec Act?

Many colonists viewed the Quebec Act as a direct threat to their liberties because it expanded the boundaries of Quebec and granted religious freedom to Catholics, which they saw as a challenge to the Protestant establishment in the colonies. The Act also allowed for a non-elected governor and extended the jurisdiction of Quebec’s legal system, undermining the colonists' desire for self-governance and representation.

Furthermore, the law was perceived within the broader context of British policies following the French and Indian War, which many colonists already felt were infringing upon their rights. This sentiment was particularly strong in New England, where many colonists feared that similar governance could be imposed on their own colonies and that their own rights and liberties would be compromised. The Quebec Act became one of the key grievances leading up to the American Revolution, solidifying a sense of unity among the colonies against perceived British overreach.

This reaction directly linked to the increasing tensions that characterized the relationship between the British government and the American colonies during the pre-Revolutionary period.