[alanh]

i just read an interesting editorial as to why we should have joined the colonies in rebelling against britain in the 1770's. personally i think not joining the colonies's fight for freedom is the major event in our history that prevented us from being completely absorbed into the united states. there probably wouldn't be a canada if we had aided the the US.

what do u all think about that.

[jullian]

I actually think we should have. Remember we gained our independence almost 100 years after the United States did. If we had joined the colonies in their revolution and won our freedom as well, I think we'd be a much stronger country than we are today. Instead of an insignificant power on the world stage we would have been a lot more influential.

[Robair]

That 100 years has given us something... the opportunity to learn from Americas mistakes.

History has made Canadians what they are, therefore I wouldn't wish to change it.

[Canadaka]

not joining, is what made Canada.

while the states has risen out of rebellion and war, Canada took a more civil longer path, and it shows today.

[spikecomix]

It's a very interesting thing to think about, but I agree with the above posts. Experience makes us who we are, be they "mistakes", "successes" or "debateables". I would not change the path that led us to where we are today ^^

[Neo-CanadianBacon]

I think that's it's a great thing we decided to remain neutruel during that time... If we had assimilated, we wouldn't have gotten the chance to defeat those American armies in the war of 1812, and we wouldn't have been able to earn the respect of the British! If we hadn't, Britan likely would have abandoned Canada! (Plus we got the chance to burn the White House! MUAHAHA)

Also, I don't think were such a insignificant power, only in the American-Dominated media of the western world are we considered that... If you go to Europe or the Middle East (And other such war-torn lands) you'll learn that they have alot of respect for Canadian peace keepers, and they actually know what the significance of Canadians during the WWs... Err.. I'm rambling...

Anyway, I'm glad that we remained independant and chose a much more cival and peaceful way to revolt... That's what were known for, anyway, so we might as well bloody gloat!!

[jullian]

of course history makes us who we are. im just saying if we had gained our independence at the same time as the US we would have grown as a country in parrallel with them instead of decades behind. and i think america would have more respect for us and the whole 51st state mentality wouldn't exist.

i bring that up only because this is the canadian/us relations forum.

[Canadaka]

we probably wouldn't have become a soverign nation though, as people said.

I don't think we were behind at all, we just went a different path. We didn't get official indipendance till later, but doens't mean we were behind in all other aspects.

plus i wouldnt want to be just like the US

[spikecomix]

You're allowed to bring it up and you make an interesting argument, but I'm just as allowed to counter it

I think that if we didn't take our own route, we would be considered even MORESO the fifty-first state.

And I don't think we're "decades behind" the United States, and I don't think we ever were technologically speaking. Whether it's a modernization to have your own constitution, sure, but there's no need to rush into something with bloodshed. We took our time and gained our independence our own way with our own constitution and I admire the way it was done.

[jullian]

haha. I didn't actually mean "decades behind" in terms of technology I just meant behind in terms of development as a nation. Take a look at quebec's attempt to succeed a few years back. i equate that as the canadian version of the american civil war. If u look at the time frame, the US civil war occurred roughly a century after the US became a nation. Quebec attempted to succeed slightly more than a century after we became a nation.

The parrallels between the development of the US and Canada are there. The Canadian bill of rights, the Canadian constitution. I just think we could've gone through all these developmental stages 100 years earlier.

[Mustang1]

Keep in mind that radical republicanism was a significant deterrent to many colonials. It somewhat became a defining characteristic of United Empire Loyalists who left the infant United States.

[Canadaka]

hmm that is an interesting point with quebec, never thought about that. But will our problem result in war? i dont think so becasue of the path Canada has taken. Well i hope so, but it needs to stop.

[a_former_canuck]

jullian jullian:

haha. I didn't actually mean "decades behind" in terms of technology I just meant behind in terms of development as a nation. Take a look at quebec's attempt to succeed a few years back. i equate that as the canadian version of the american civil war. If u look at the time frame, the US civil war occurred roughly a century after the US became a nation. Quebec attempted to succeed slightly more than a century after we became a nation.

The parrallels between the development of the US and Canada are there. The Canadian bill of rights, the Canadian constitution. I just think we could've gone through all these developmental stages 100 years earlier.

The comparison between the Quebec secession and the US civil war is nothing short of ridiculous. Quebec didn't even put up a fight (and, as frenchmen, they probably would have surrendered or lost very quickly).

The US civil war was about federalism vs. states rights. The quebec secession was about arrogant frenchmen vs. everyone else. There was no substance to it, which helps explain why they weren't willing to send their sons to die for the cause.

[jadeofthenorth]

There were a number of times during history where we 'almost' became part of the U.S.

*whew

[jullian]

former canuck, I'm not a psycho. Obviously the US civil war and Quebec's bid for seccession were nowhere near the same scope of event. The point I was getting at was a very broad one. In that there was a point in each country's history where one part of the country wanted to secede.