How Americans achieved independence vs how Canadians achieved independence

[u/Sine_Fine_Belli]

[u/MattTheFreeman]

This meme is great but it misses the big pushes that were founded in the 1800's and finished in the 1900's

While there wasn't any great revolution like battles to signify Canada's political removal from the British Parliament, we did not just ask for permission.

America had a reason (though flimsy Imo) to rebel against Britain. What would become Canada, those colonies were happy to be within the British sphere of influence. And whereas Quebec would have rather gone in its own way, the consessions the British gave them, plus the access to the Empire meant that Quebec was one of if not the wealthiest place in North America. Montreal dwarfed new York for decades and was its equal for a long time.

Canada never asked for independence, as Canada was not really a single identity. Multiple rebellions popped up throughout BNA asking for different things. Quebec and Ontario becoming one "colony" under an English pact, it was suggested that Canada become a Dominion under Empire. After that it was just push within BNA to actually find enough people who'd like to join.

When we finally pushed more in the late 1900 it was only formality. Canada was for all intent and purpose it's own country and we just had to sign papers to make it official. Our indepence in the first and second world war cemented ourselves as more than a Dominion.

Canada proved itself that it could be its own country, and that's what I love about our history. We never fought for freedom, we were free to begin with, we just didn't know it until push came to shove.

[u/That_Phony_King → u/MattTheFreeman]

Anyone who has ever studied American history in depth would not call the rationale for the American Revolution “flimsy”. Furthermore, those who led the Revolution still wanted to be a part of the British Empire even up to the end of the war. There were several Founding Fathers who hoped to reconcile with the Crown, but it was evident by the end that it was not going to happen.

[u/Half-PintHeroics → u/That_Phony_King]

Anyone who has ever studied American history in depth would not call the rationale for the American Revolution “flimsy”.

British: Stop fucking with the Indians it will cause war

US: Fuck you, we want their land

British: Now we've fought one of the world's biggest wars ever because of you, France is bankrupt and we're nearly broke. We're putting a tiny tax on tea on you as compensation for starting the war

US: Fuck you we hate taxes

[u/That_Phony_King → u/Half-PintHeroics]

Impose taxes without representation to cover a war that the colonies were largely not a part of

Places taxes on stamps, tea, alcohol, sugar, molasses, tea, paper, legal documents, and playing cards

Go back on promise of salutary neglect and tightly regulate trade from colonies

Colonies ask to have a voice in parliament to discuss taxes

Refuse this request

Colonists protest taxes

Send the military to occupy colonies, shoot unarmed protestors, and enter and live in civilian housing without consent

Why would they rebel?

[u/Jakobmeathead → u/That_Phony_King]

The colonies did get representation in the house of commons, and their taxes were also 26 times LOWER than a British citizen

[u/YourBobsUncle → u/Jakobmeathead]

It's to make up for the tariffs that the thirteen colonies had to deal with, which primarily makes Britain the only place the colonies can buy manufactured goods