What significant change did the Quebec Act of 1774 implement?

The Quebec Act of 1774 is significant primarily because it set Roman Catholicism as the official religion of Quebec and expanded the territory of Quebec to include areas west of the Appalachian Mountains and south to the Ohio River. This act was a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution because it not only altered the governance of the Canadian territory but also created discontent among the colonies. Many colonists were concerned that it would encourage the spread of Catholicism and undermine the predominantly Protestant framework established in the English colonies. The expansion of Quebec's boundaries also threatened the land claims of colonial settlers, particularly those in Virginia and Pennsylvania, which led to further tensions. Overall, this act was seen as a move by the British Parliament to reinforce control over North America and appease the French-speaking population in Quebec, a strategy perceived by many colonists as a threat to their own rights and territorial claims.