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The United States of North America

Writer's picture: matt58clarkmatt58clark

By Matthew Clark


During the two weeks leading up to Donald Trump's 2nd Presidential inauguration newspaper headlines across (neighbouring) Canada screamed indignantly at the President elects speculation Canada would make a wonderful 51st (American) state. When he referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Governor of Canada the same Canadian media personalities howled like banshees. Canada would never become an American territory they claimed. Some Great White North politicians joined the self righteous banter. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, speaking as political leader of Canada's most populous province, asserted that Canada was not for sale.


Yet not all public lawmakers in Canada joined the chorus. Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta, top lawmaker of the nation's wealthiest province, advocated for diplomacy between the two jurisdictions. Smith backed up her words by attending Donald Trumps swearing in ceremony on January 20th, 2025.


Ever since the failure of American Revolutionary armed forces, lead by Generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold, to seize Quebec in 1775-1776, there has been a question of how to align the northern section of North America. A similar United States military failure in Nova Scotia, where soldiers under the command of Jonathan Eddy were unsuccessful in their 1776 siege of Fort Cumberland, resulted in a political division of New England. American ambitions to unite with Canada were also thwarted during the War of 1812 as repeated invasions of Upper Canada (Ontario) produced more frustration for the Yanks.


Recognizing that political divisions were a reality which could not be denied, a second tactic was employed to bring the two national groups together. Uniting the two regions economically, through the use of treaties, became the strategy of choice for the unifiers. Force had proved futile, so the promise of prosperity was now enacted. On June 6, 1854 Governor General (of British North America) Lord Elgin and United States Secretary of State William Marcy signed the Reciprocity Treaty. Reciprocity was an agreement to end all tariffs between the two groups, allowing products and goods to travel freely across the respective borders. Proponents of the Reciprocity Treaty hoped to build support for the policy amongst the general public through an increase in trade across the two borders. An increase in trade would enhance prosperity.


While there definitely was an increase in trade following the treatise implimentation the measures popularity met it's demise due to geopolitics. Canada was a British colony in the 1850's and 1860's. During the American Civil War (1861-1865) the United Kingdom aided the rebellious Southern states in many ways. Sentiment among the population in the Northern states became actively hostile toward Great Britain. Once the war was successfully concluded their emerged a popular political movement in the United States to quash Reciprocity. Over a very short period of time this movement achieved success. On March 17, 1866 the United States Congress cancelled the Reciprocity Treaty!


Attempts in 1891 and 1911 to bring back Reciprocity between the two countries failed on the altar of nationalism. Canadians were now wary of the emerging American giant to their south. Successful endeavors in 1935 and 1938 arranging limited Reciprocity ultimately came to naught when the deals were suspended in 1948.


Between 1948 and 1988 much occurred in the Great White North on the political front. Provincialism grew as the Canadian provinces put economic barriers not only against the United States yet against other parts of Canada as well. Separation (what Americans call secession) aspirations grew within different areas of Canada. Initially this desire existed almost exclusively in French speaking Quebec. Quickly it spread out west to Alberta and Saskatchewan. There even emerged a separatist movement in parts of Manitoba, British Columbia, and Newfoundland. Cultural laws were passed in Canada's federal parliament which pretected the jurisdictions music, film, and television industry. Throughout the Northern Dominion the forces of nationalism appeared to be growing, whether it be at the regional level or on the federal political scene. Admittedly Canadian nationalism paled when compared to the pride Americans possessed for 'The Land of the Brave.' Nevertheless the political future of Northern North America appeared to be one of fragmentation!


This all changed in the 1980's. On both sides of the border business leaders, entrepeneurs, and social analysts started to strenuously advocate for closer economic relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and President Ronald Reagan agreed with these advocates. With the full force of political leadership behind it a Free Trade deal was signed by representatives of both governments on January 2, 1988. Since that occasion the agreement has been expanded to include Mexico.


Free Trade is not just about transporting product across borders duty free. It includes synchronizing laws, rules, regulations, department responsibility, and a host of other integrations! This has been taking place between Canada and the United States for 37 years. Expanding free trade policy to include Mexico has not changed the dynamic between Canada and the United States in the least. According to (Government Agency) Global Affairs Canada during 2023 2.7 billion U.S. dollars (3.6 billion Canadian dollars) in goods and services were traded daily over the U.S. Canada border. As a result of this achievement Canadian business leaders, such as Kevin O'Leary and Diane Francis have urged the adoption of even stronger ties between the two North American entities.


This is occurring against a backdrop of decline in both countries. Clearly the brief American superpower unipolar moment has expired. Militarily and economically the United States faces many challengers, notably Communist China and Russia, who themselves rate as great powers. Canadians on the other hand are not just suffering through relative decline, they are plummeting into financial catastrophe. In 2015 the average Canadian was on a financial par with the average American. According to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2025 the average American now makes 40% more than his Canadian counterpart!


This is the history, along with contemporary circumstances, which existed when Donald Trump uttered his 51st state comment. A declining United States along with a declining Canada have caused at least some individuals to ponder the idea of political union. Kevin O' Leary of Canada is the most well known of this group. O'Leary disengenuously pronounces that Canada can integrate with the Uited States without sacrificing sovereignty. Yet he is not a villain for doing so. Addressing a problem with a solution, even if it is an answer one disagrees with, does not make a person a villain.


For United States citizens the acquisition of Canada, or parts of it, has obvious attractions. Possessing British Columbia would give America a land bridge to Alaska. Oil rich Alberta and Saskatchewan would ensure energy self sufficiency for decades to come. Mineral rich Quebec offers untold wealth. These examples are probably discussed behind closed doors at 1600 Pennsylvannia Avenue. Controlling such resources could greatly assist in slowing American decline. For Canadians in the affected areas political union with the United States might offer financial solvency to the average citizen.


Greenland and Panama (Canal) have also come under the Trump gaze. Yet neither are exposed as is traditional Canada. Canadians loyalty to their country is often a mile wide and an inch deep. There are also huge levels of the Canadian population devoid of any loyalty to the land they live in. Under this condition a President such as Trump can cause immeasurable mischief to the Canadian body politic. What makes this situation so dangerous for traditional Canadians is that there are compelling reasons for the U.S. President to do so. The Western Hemisphere requires consolidation if the United States is to put a break on their decline. This means getting control of natural resources, something which abundantly exists in the Northern Kingdom. Acquiring Western Canada would improve Republican Party fortunes while sovereignty over Quebec and the Maritimes assists the Democratic Party. Thus both political parties in the United states have a political motive for union. Ontario meanwhile is a cats breakfast electorally but rich in industry and resources. Domain over Canada's Northern Territories would greatly improve American far north aspirations.


Meanwhile in Canada there is hardship with little evidence this will change anytime soon. The OECD predicts that if present economic trends continue Canada will place dead last till 2050 among developed countries in all important (standard of living) categories. These facts leave the Canadian government in a highly vulnerable position when trying to ford off advances from a determined American suitor. Unless the financial situation quickly reverses itself pocketbook voters will abandon Canadian nationhood!


William Shakespeare famously termed the future as "the undiscovered country." It is a wise statement always to be respected when trying to predict what is to come. There is no sure thing when it comes to the future. Yet there are probabilities. Unless Canada's lawmakers reverse the trend of impoverishment in their country there appears to be a strong chance that the nation, or at least parts of it, will be annexed to the United States of America.



References:

The Canadian Encycylopedia

Reciprocity by D.C. Masters August 12, 2013

updated by Jon Tattrie, Andrew MacIntosh November 12, 2019


Global Affairs Canada

U.S. Canada Trade


revolutionarywar.us The Battle of Fort Cumberland

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