When Canada Did Not Choose Freedom
Robert Cecil describes how, despite the blandishments of commissions from Philadelphia, and the exercise of force by the Continental Congress, Canada chose to remain separate in the 1770s.
In the long term, the impact of the American Revolution upon Canada is to be measured not by the unsuccessful attempts of the American Colonists first to persuade and then to invade their neighbours, but by the free flow of Loyalists who, after the war, crossed over in such numbers that the captured French colony of Quebec became part of a territory in which English-speaking people predominated.
The earlier phase, however, is not without interest to the student; in particular, it presents him with three questions bearing on the relations of the territories that were to become known to history as Canada and the United States of America.
The first question is: why did not the peoples of the northernmost colonies rally to the cause of the Thirteen? The second question is: why did the Thirteen, who were fighting in the name of liberty and self-determination, at once embark on an invasion of their northern neighbours, before their own revolution was properly under way? Thirdly: why was no later invasion attempted after France had joined openly in the war?
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
