A very interesting difference in perspective that I have noticed has to do with the War of 1812. As an American I was taught that the war was a push to break the last remaining vestige of British rule in the region. Here in Canada the War of 1812 is seen as the war where Canada kicked Americas ass. Not sure why Canadians see it this way given the fact that Canada was not a country in 1812, Canada became a Nation in 1867. In fact Canadians took up arms against the British years after the War of 1812 themselves. Why do many Canadians think America had a gripe with Canada when it seems obvious to me that our beef was with Great Britain.
Well I think you can weave any story you like into that war. Neither side won neither side lost. I would argue the average American at the time was not really even sure why they were fighting the war to begin with. What was a real tragedy about the whole thing was the Battle Of New Orleans But the good news was once both sides stopped and thought about it, they realized this selling and buying stuff from each other was a lot more fun than shooting
Canada did kick our ass (or the British citizens did) when we went on Canadian soil and tried to start up a revolution there....or something like that. Its not covered THAT WELL in our history books because other bits and peices are so much more interesting if you know what I mean. The thing is....we could have been squashed and came close to losing our country but for the grace of God, a tornado that took out the British after they burned our capital and a few key battles that spurred our morale. We were lucky.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/27/canada-won-the-war-of-1812-u-s-historian-admits/ In 1809 Jefferson wrote his successor James Madison: "we should then have only to include the North [Canada] in our confederacy...and we should have such an empire for liberty as she has never surveyed since the creation: & I am persuaded no constitution was ever before so well calculated as ours for extensive empire & self government." - Jefferson to James Madison, 27 April 1809 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812 American expansionism American expansion into the Northwest Territory was being obstructed by indigenous leaders like Tecumseh, who were supplied and encouraged by the British. Americans on the western frontier demanded that interference be stopped.[28] Before 1940, some historians[29][30] held that United States expansionism into Canada was also a reason for the war; however, one subsequent historian wrote, Almost all accounts of the 18111812 period have stressed the influence of a youthful band, denominated War Hawks, on Madison's policy. According to the standard picture, these men were a rather wild and exuberant group enraged by Britain's maritime practices, certain that the British were encouraging the Indians and convinced that Canada would be an easy conquest and a choice addition to the national domain. Like all stereotypes, there is some truth in this tableau; however, inaccuracies predominate. First, Perkins has shown that those favoring war were older than those opposed. Second, the lure of the Canadas has been played down by most recent investigators. Clifford Egan, [31] Some Canadian historians proposed the notion in the early 20th century,[32] and it survives in public opinion in Ontario. According to Stagg (1981 and 1983), Madison and his advisers believed that conquest of Canada would be easy and that economic coercion would force the British to come to terms by cutting off the food supply for their West Indies colonies. Furthermore, possession of Canada would be a valuable bargaining chip.
You bet, each side has a very different take. One thing that I do find surprising is that the Canadians fought with the British against the U.S. but then years later turned against the Brits themselves. But I take that as Canadians wanted independence from Britain on its own terms. Indeed. The war was poorly planned and executed.
Indeed. I watched a documentary recently that examined the American, British, Canadian and First Nation views of the war. A major blunder by Madison seems to be that he believed that our brothers to the North wanted to be liberated and perhaps join America. In the end Canadians did want their independence, but on their own terms.
"In 1837, rebels in Lower and Upper Canada took up arms and fought skirmishes against the British authorities. Skirmishes took place around Hamilton, London, and Toronto, but they were of small scale and ultimately unsuccessful. A more substantial rebellion took place in Lower Canada where French- and English-Canadian rebels fought skirmishes against the British colonial government." http://www.canadafaq.ca/when+did+canada+become+a+country/ Not saying it was as big as the War of 1812, but none the less fighting between Canadians and the British Colonial government did happen.
Jefferson made the same error. and it is still a matter of great pride to many Canadians today to be able to say their family tree has UEL included in it.
Fascinating comment, can I get your opinion on something? If we British had decided to stay on continue to carve up your country as we seen fit at the time. Given our obvious power do you think you would have been right to accept our power and give us whatever we want?
yes, and when the terms of peace were written, the Canadians were very happy to remain in the british empire. that is not "turning against Britain" .that is fighting for the right to have representation.
I am not much into speculating on what may have happened if the British had stayed... so just get to your point please.
Im just wondering if you accept that might is right, thereby if we take your capital and burn it, then you should accept our action and give in.....really its just that so many Americans tell us brits nowadays to accept subjugation across the world as part of the natural order but when it comes to your own history you seen proud of the fact that you fought us off continually.
Call it what you will, but when I read of men taking up arms against the British Colonial government I see defiance of British rule, not acceptance of the British Empire. But since the rebellion was so small I doubt it had the support of the masses.
then why did they not go for a republic? they remained colonies of Britain. why were Canadians content to remain subjects of their sovereign?
I reject that might is right. You seem to have some bias and stereotypes of Americans. FYI there are 340 million of us and for the most part we agree on very little. I have never told anyone to accept subjugation... so my advice to you would be to go find an American who does and have this debate with them.
Who cares? Whats the point of being part of the Commonwealth other than you have the Queen on your money? Seriously, I am living in British Columbia and from what I can tell the rank and file Canadian could not care less about the Queen. Canada is a sovereign self governing Nation in which the Queen is a figurehead, just like in England. What power does the Queen have? A veto that she will never use? So indeed Canada does have a tie to Britain, not that it really matters as one does not rule the other.
you have a lot to learn about what Canadians think about their system of government and their head of state. and your little rant did nothing to address my questions.
So black and white you are. I have met many Canadians in the last year and know that they, like all people on the planet, have varying views. There is no one universal Canadian view anymore than there is one universal American view. If there were then this forum would be a lot less interesting. But you are right, I do have much more to learn of Canada and am enjoying the learning experience. And whose ranting? I am just expressing an opinion... but if calling it a rant makes you feel better... then knock your sox off.
wow! Canadians have varying views, but you, as an enlightened outsider, are able to cut thru all of the confusion and come out with a statement like this: "I am living in British Columbia and from what I can tell the rank and file Canadian could not care less about the Queen." hahahahaahahahahaah and you still haven't answered my question.
Just my opinion, nothing else, I speak for no one. My experience is limited to the Canadians I have talked to. Perhaps you are a Canadian and your experience is different. The beauty of life. Who cares... that is my point. What difference is there? Canada is a sovereign Nation and their being born out of the rule of Britain makes no difference in our modern society. The Queen is powerless, David Cameron is powerless, Canada has self rule... so why are you so hung up on if they are a Republic or a part of the Commonwealth? Canada serves the British Empire no more than America does.
you obviously have little understanding of the ramifications of a constitutional monarchy. I suggest you study a bit more before you try and hold forth on the duties and responsibilities of the various branches of canadian governments.
