The many effects of the War of 1812 had on different groups of people in Canada. Some were loyal to the British and some were not. The British took possession of Canada during the war, and were unsure how they were going to put the French Canadians together with the English-speaking immigrants. The British made a policy that divided Canada into two different colonies; Lower Canada and Upper Canada. Most of the people in Lower Canada were French speaking Catholics, who were very different from the British people in Upper Canada. In Upper Canada, just less than half of the population were Americans by birth. Major-General Isaac Brock, the commander-in-chief of British forces in Canada, said that many Canadians were “essentially bad… either indifferent to what is passing, or so completely American as to rejoice in the prospects of a change of governments!” He also predicted that a high number of his military men would join forces with the Americans to fight. The American’s said that Canada was a target, who could easily be conquered.
After the war, the people of Upper and Lower Canada united. In 1841, Upper and Lower Canada merged to form the Country of Canada. The colonies of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia soon joined, and made the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Other British colonies in North America followed until Canada’s borders went from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. The anti-American hatred grew during the War of 1812 and carried on even after the war. John Goldie, a Scottish botanist who visited Canada after the war, wrote, “Many of the Inhabitants here hate the Yankees as the Devil, and wish to have another opportunity of shooting a few of them!” The British government also took a stance towards Americans by limiting immigration along the border. American migrants were no longer welcome in Canada, and couldn't be accepted. In September 1815, the colonial government created a law preventing Americans from taking an oath to obtain Crown land. This law stopped immigration and Americans from the purchase of farmland. These policies continued until 1827, when they were overturned by a provincial law granting Americans citizenship to those who have lived in Canada for 7 years, and allowed them to obtain Crown-grant land. The American immigration to Canada declined so much from 1815-1827 that the American population was never able to dominate in Canada again.
While there was a decline of Americans in Canada, there was an increase of British people, who were given some economic deals to settle in Upper Canada. The cause for this pattern of immigration can traced to Alexander Macdonell, a Scottish chaplain who later became the Bishop of Upper Canada. After Macdonnell survived the war, he came to hate the Americans. After the war, he pushed the British government to encourage Scottish immigration in order to strengthen Canada against its powerful southern neighbour. The British Empire offered to give every British family who entered Canada a free passage; farming tools, food and 100 acres of farmland. However, this ended in 1820 because of their high financial costs, but by then a chain reaction had been in motion as the British were writing home to their friends and families to encourage them to Canada. As a result of this, the population of Upper Canada increased from 95,000 in 1814 to 487,000 by 1842. In addition, this immigration pattern also continued British culture in Canada. Today, nearly over 11 million Canadians identify themselves of having British origins.
Even though Canada eventually acquired independence, it never severed its ties with Britain. In later years, many Canadians served as British allies in the Boer War and the two world wars. Even today, Canada still remains as a proud member in the Commonwealth and a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of England as its head of state. British influence on the nation is reflected in many ways. The union jack can be observed on many of the provincial flags. The British common law has found its heir in the Canadian legal system and British spelling continues to be used by Canadians.
The War of 1812 also led to the beginning of a political conservatism which shaped the course of Canadian history. In Upper Canada, a group of conservative families formed a political oligarchy known as the Family Compact. Like Canada, the United States emerged out of the War of 1812 with an increased sense of national identity. Americans forgot about their disastrous attempt to conquer Canada and focused instead on their miraculous victories. The Battle of Baltimore, in which the Americans forces repulsed a combined land and sea attack, provided inspiration for the lyrics of “Star-Spangled Banner,” which later became America’s national anthem. National unity in United States grew as its citizens felt that they had won a second war for independence against Britain.
The victims in the War of 1812 were the Native Americans, who were driven out of their lands after the war. After its failure to conquer Canada, United States looked to its west, instead of its north, for vigorous expansion. The Native Americans in the Northwest Territories, most of who had fought on the British side, became vulnerable targets as their European allies withdrew from the region. By 1820, growing numbers of American settlers, gold-rushers and buffalo hunters pushed to westward to the Missouri River. At the threat of slaughter by the American army, the Native Americans were forced to flee their way to designated reserves. For the next 100 years, they would continue to be victimized by the white settlers who pursued westward expansion. Caused by an assortment of various factors, the War of 1812 significantly shaped the development of Canada and North America. Canadians became united under the banner of resisting American power during and after the war. Because of this, the years following the war marked a significant change in both immigration pattern and political development in Canada. In United States, Americans took pride in defeating the powerful forces of Great Britain. Unfortunately, the Native Americans paid the heaviest price, and were forced to cede their land to incoming settlers. Two hundred years later, the effects of the War of 1812 can still be observed through cultural, social and political facets.
After the war, the people of Upper and Lower Canada united. In 1841, Upper and Lower Canada merged to form the Country of Canada. The colonies of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia soon joined, and made the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Other British colonies in North America followed until Canada’s borders went from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. The anti-American hatred grew during the War of 1812 and carried on even after the war. John Goldie, a Scottish botanist who visited Canada after the war, wrote, “Many of the Inhabitants here hate the Yankees as the Devil, and wish to have another opportunity of shooting a few of them!” The British government also took a stance towards Americans by limiting immigration along the border. American migrants were no longer welcome in Canada, and couldn't be accepted. In September 1815, the colonial government created a law preventing Americans from taking an oath to obtain Crown land. This law stopped immigration and Americans from the purchase of farmland. These policies continued until 1827, when they were overturned by a provincial law granting Americans citizenship to those who have lived in Canada for 7 years, and allowed them to obtain Crown-grant land. The American immigration to Canada declined so much from 1815-1827 that the American population was never able to dominate in Canada again.
While there was a decline of Americans in Canada, there was an increase of British people, who were given some economic deals to settle in Upper Canada. The cause for this pattern of immigration can traced to Alexander Macdonell, a Scottish chaplain who later became the Bishop of Upper Canada. After Macdonnell survived the war, he came to hate the Americans. After the war, he pushed the British government to encourage Scottish immigration in order to strengthen Canada against its powerful southern neighbour. The British Empire offered to give every British family who entered Canada a free passage; farming tools, food and 100 acres of farmland. However, this ended in 1820 because of their high financial costs, but by then a chain reaction had been in motion as the British were writing home to their friends and families to encourage them to Canada. As a result of this, the population of Upper Canada increased from 95,000 in 1814 to 487,000 by 1842. In addition, this immigration pattern also continued British culture in Canada. Today, nearly over 11 million Canadians identify themselves of having British origins.
Even though Canada eventually acquired independence, it never severed its ties with Britain. In later years, many Canadians served as British allies in the Boer War and the two world wars. Even today, Canada still remains as a proud member in the Commonwealth and a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of England as its head of state. British influence on the nation is reflected in many ways. The union jack can be observed on many of the provincial flags. The British common law has found its heir in the Canadian legal system and British spelling continues to be used by Canadians.
The War of 1812 also led to the beginning of a political conservatism which shaped the course of Canadian history. In Upper Canada, a group of conservative families formed a political oligarchy known as the Family Compact. Like Canada, the United States emerged out of the War of 1812 with an increased sense of national identity. Americans forgot about their disastrous attempt to conquer Canada and focused instead on their miraculous victories. The Battle of Baltimore, in which the Americans forces repulsed a combined land and sea attack, provided inspiration for the lyrics of “Star-Spangled Banner,” which later became America’s national anthem. National unity in United States grew as its citizens felt that they had won a second war for independence against Britain.
The victims in the War of 1812 were the Native Americans, who were driven out of their lands after the war. After its failure to conquer Canada, United States looked to its west, instead of its north, for vigorous expansion. The Native Americans in the Northwest Territories, most of who had fought on the British side, became vulnerable targets as their European allies withdrew from the region. By 1820, growing numbers of American settlers, gold-rushers and buffalo hunters pushed to westward to the Missouri River. At the threat of slaughter by the American army, the Native Americans were forced to flee their way to designated reserves. For the next 100 years, they would continue to be victimized by the white settlers who pursued westward expansion. Caused by an assortment of various factors, the War of 1812 significantly shaped the development of Canada and North America. Canadians became united under the banner of resisting American power during and after the war. Because of this, the years following the war marked a significant change in both immigration pattern and political development in Canada. In United States, Americans took pride in defeating the powerful forces of Great Britain. Unfortunately, the Native Americans paid the heaviest price, and were forced to cede their land to incoming settlers. Two hundred years later, the effects of the War of 1812 can still be observed through cultural, social and political facets.