Now that I have been living abroad for a while I am beginning to ponder just what the Canadian identity really is. As I think back on things a lot of what I learned as a youth about the Canadian experience had to do with the struggle to have a separate identity from the US.
What do you think? Are Canadians primarily defined by the desire not to be American?
This starts all the way back at the founding of Canada. Confederation of the British colonies was motivated primarily by a desire to avoid being annexed by the US. The transcontinental railroad and the settling of the prairies were motivated by a desire not to lose territory to the US.
Heck, many of the biggest Canadian heroes gained their fame for defying the US. Laura Secord warned the troops that the Americans were coming (with her likeness prominently displayed on confections to this day). Statues were made to General Brock all over Ontario for his role in sticking it to the American troops attempting to invade (also during the war of 1812).
In fact, Canadians seem to be obsessed with the fear of American encroachment. I was taught all about the waves of American invaders such as the Huntsmen, Fenians and even Yankee Whiskey traders in Montana setting up trading forts in Southern Alberta.
We learned about the San Juan Pig Wars that left the US with control of the northwest.
The Americans "stole" Oregon. The Americans "stole" the Alaskan panhandle. The Americans "stole" (and continue to "steal") Canadian fish.
In the end, the only thing that ultimately seemed to matter was keeping the Americans out. As a kid I wasn't exactly sure what I was as a Canadian but I was damn thankful I wasn't "American".
Now that I have been living in the US for years I am wondering what the big deal was all about. I am NOT saying Canada should become the 51st state, I just don't understand why Canadians spend so much time just trying to "not be American". Ok, Benedict Arnold tried to conquer Quebec in 1775. Who cares? It was a long time ago. Americans have no interest in schlepping up to the plains of Abraham anymore.
Whenever I am back in Canada visiting friends everyone seems to want to try and convince me why America is so terrible and scary. This obsession with the US just baffles me.
The one group in Canada that doesn't seem to have this identity problem is the Quebecois. They are different and they know it which seems to give them a kind of confidence lacking elsewhere in Canada. Of course, the Quebecois seem to have a chip on their shoulders when relating to other Canadians that doesn't seem to exist when interacting with Americans, but that's a whole other story...
English Canada has a lot to be proud of (aside from the standard refrain of medicare and Tim Hortons). It doesn't have to spend all it's time obsessing about the United States and defining itself by this very obsession.
What do you think? Are Canadians primarily defined by the desire not to be American?
This starts all the way back at the founding of Canada. Confederation of the British colonies was motivated primarily by a desire to avoid being annexed by the US. The transcontinental railroad and the settling of the prairies were motivated by a desire not to lose territory to the US.
Heck, many of the biggest Canadian heroes gained their fame for defying the US. Laura Secord warned the troops that the Americans were coming (with her likeness prominently displayed on confections to this day). Statues were made to General Brock all over Ontario for his role in sticking it to the American troops attempting to invade (also during the war of 1812).
In fact, Canadians seem to be obsessed with the fear of American encroachment. I was taught all about the waves of American invaders such as the Huntsmen, Fenians and even Yankee Whiskey traders in Montana setting up trading forts in Southern Alberta.
We learned about the San Juan Pig Wars that left the US with control of the northwest.
The Americans "stole" Oregon. The Americans "stole" the Alaskan panhandle. The Americans "stole" (and continue to "steal") Canadian fish.
In the end, the only thing that ultimately seemed to matter was keeping the Americans out. As a kid I wasn't exactly sure what I was as a Canadian but I was damn thankful I wasn't "American".
Now that I have been living in the US for years I am wondering what the big deal was all about. I am NOT saying Canada should become the 51st state, I just don't understand why Canadians spend so much time just trying to "not be American". Ok, Benedict Arnold tried to conquer Quebec in 1775. Who cares? It was a long time ago. Americans have no interest in schlepping up to the plains of Abraham anymore.
Whenever I am back in Canada visiting friends everyone seems to want to try and convince me why America is so terrible and scary. This obsession with the US just baffles me.
The one group in Canada that doesn't seem to have this identity problem is the Quebecois. They are different and they know it which seems to give them a kind of confidence lacking elsewhere in Canada. Of course, the Quebecois seem to have a chip on their shoulders when relating to other Canadians that doesn't seem to exist when interacting with Americans, but that's a whole other story...
English Canada has a lot to be proud of (aside from the standard refrain of medicare and Tim Hortons). It doesn't have to spend all it's time obsessing about the United States and defining itself by this very obsession.
