By Robert Englebert
The tariff warfare has begun.
Since coming into workplace solely weeks in the past, Donald Trump’s on-and-off once more menace of taking a sledgehammer to free commerce has saved Canadians on edge.
Canadians are indignant and pissed off, particularly at Trump’s continued assertion that our nation shouldn’t be viable and that we should always turn into the 51st state.
I’m not all that satisfied that Trump’s finish aim is to annex Canada, but when for some cause that’s the goal, he want solely look to Canada’s lengthy historical past to know how unlikely he’s to succeed.
Our international locations appear alike, however usually are not the identical. Now we have had many alternatives to hitch our neighbours to the south and have repeatedly determined to chart a special path, every step shaping distinctive Canadian political constructions and traditions.
On the eve of the American Revolution, Britain’s 13 colonies appeared to Quebec to hitch their trigger. The Continental Congress’s newly appointed military marched north on a “Canada Marketing campaign” to “liberate” colonists from the British.
Solely a yr earlier, nonetheless, the Quebec Act of 1774 had assured French civil regulation and the proper to Catholic worship. Most French-Canadians determined that their rapid pursuits had been higher served by remaining impartial and staying inside the British empire. Going through an unsympathetic, and even hostile colonial inhabitants, the Individuals left Canada in 1776, a mere two months earlier than the Declaration of Independence. It was a primary rebuke, and it will not be the final.
By the early 1800s, the US, pissed off with British commerce practices, sought as soon as once more to annex its neighbour to the north. Blustery rhetoric worthy of Trumpian bravado ensued. Thomas Jefferson contended that taking Canada could be “a mere matter of marching.” The Governor of Kentucky opined that his militia alone might seize the north.
The Individuals had been to be upset but once more. There was little urge for food amongst settlers within the colonies to hitch the Individuals. Some fought to defend their proper to remain below British rule. Others remained impartial, pleased to let American and British forces duke it out. In the long run, the warfare resulted in a stalemate.
Canadians rightly view the Battle of 1812 as a repudiation of America. America began the warfare and sought to annex Canada, they usually failed.
Political reformers in Canada did look briefly to American-style republicanism within the leadup to the rebellions of 1837-38, however there was little precise help for becoming a member of the US. As a substitute, average reformers used coalitions and complaints over political stalemates to push for change.
When Britain granted its North American colonies accountable authorities (parliamentary democracy) in 1848, it was within the custom of the British parliamentary system. There was no revolution or severe consideration of becoming a member of the US. Canada was by itself political path.
The specter of American annexation didn’t go away, nonetheless, and it performed an essential function within the eventual creation of Canada.
Politicians nervous that British help for the southern states throughout the Civil Battle had fostered American enmity in the direction of Canada, and that the Union Military would possibly head north at warfare’s finish.
Whereas this by no means materialized, border points persevered. Irish nationalists (Fenians) carried out cross-border raids into Canada from the US in 1866, exacerbating issues over colonial protection.
On the identical time, Canadian colonies had been being economically squeezed. In a transfer eerily just like right now, the US withdrew from the Reciprocity Treaty in 1866. It ended over a decade of unprecedented cross-border free commerce.
Identical to right now, Canadian politicians got here collectively to shore up financial markets and assist one another with protection from outdoors threats. The consequence was the British North America Act of 1867, the start of a nation. It was a definitive and remaining choice within the colonial period by these within the northern colonies (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick) to chart a special path from our southern neighbours.
Individuals ought to pay attention to this colonial historical past. Afterall, they know in addition to anybody that harsh tax insurance policies can spark the embers of nationwide fervor. British imperial taxation of the 13 colonies led American colonists to protest with non-consumption (boycotts), which finally grew into the American Revolution.
When Individuals see Canadians taking Bourbon off cabinets and seeking to purchase Canadian merchandise, it must be like wanting in a mirror.
The present predicament, after all, is totally different, and sure, context issues. And but the parallels are value noting.
Trump’s tariffs technically tax Individuals, however the doubtlessly disastrous impact on the Canadian financial system makes how the taxes are applied moot. Canadians see a worldwide superpower implementing taxation in a manner that can hurt them. The result’s a boycott motion meant to hit again on the US and reveal Canadian nationwide solidarity.
Will this finally result in an schism between Canada and the US? Perhaps. Or it might merely find yourself as one other anti-American nationwide second, like a extra intense “I’m Canadian” beer business.
It’s value noting, nonetheless, that few suspected a everlasting break with Britain when non-consumption began within the 13 colonies. The cat is out of the bag right here in Canada. The place it leads is anybody’s guess. However historical past exhibits us that Canada won’t select to be the 51st state.
Robert Englebert is an Affiliate Professor of Historical past on the College of Saskatchewan.
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