The American Revolution has assisted in shaping the Canadian history. It started when the American formed a military initiative in Canada. This happened during the invasion of Canada in 1775 during the American revolutionary war (Billias 4). The military initiative intention was to gain military control of Quebec province. Also, it had purposed to persuade the Canadians who were speaking French to join in their revolution. Most English-speaking merchants were very bitter with the Quebec Act. The act had introduced French laws and had authorized Catholic tithes. The Act had invoked them to attack. However, they had not drawn the support of the habitants of the area (Billias 7).
The French Canadians paid attention to the democratic ideas being spread by the American patriot agents. This was contrary to the expectation of Carleton who had over-estimated the obedience of the Canadians. The priests had sought to tell the people to be loyal and honor the Act. However, the ordinary farmers stayed put. They just looked at the British and American, fighting each other. Moreover, though the Canadians were still firm to their catholic faith, they were not thrilled by the issue of tithes being made legal. The Quebec Act did not bring out the desired results that were anticipated by Carleton and other London Officials (Billias 17). In fact, the French Canadians listened to the messages being spread by the American agents.
The Carleton’s limited forces in Quebec were only a small number of the entire Canadian Military. Though some had joined the American side, Carleton had other British regulators who counted for considerably more. The American suffered from inadequate supplies and were not equipped well (Fiske 23). In addition, during the siege they suffered greatly from disease. Their situation worsened in the night of December 30, where there was a major attack brought a blast of fire on the attackers and led to the death of General Montgomery (Fiske 27). Afterwards, the British power sent a strong fleet which made the drained and lessened Americans had to give up and retreat in the St. Lawrence. This led to a high relief to Canada because the United States would no longer assault them. They had relied on the point of British power by sea. This enabled British to be given the power to hold Quebec during the wartime alliance reached between the young American republic and France. This is because none of the two, France and the young American republic, wanted to see another establish at Quebec.
The merchants’ sense of responsibility increased as a result of the American Revolution. As the revolution continued, fighting has spread to the southward from Quebec. In the process, the attitude of people in Quebec province started changing. The fur business depended on the British markets. In addition, the trade was guarded by the British authorities, British Navy on the Atlantic and by military power in the interior. The key business men had changed their approach, since they got more money from the sale of fur. It did not take time for them to realize that the economic stake outweighed any discontent in the Quebec Act. This made the merchants be committed in the 1780s (Billias 19).
There was a great development in terms of commitment. The French Canadians also became committed to the British side. They even concluded that the Americans should not be welcomed into the area. The attitude of the Canadians had greatly changed. They developed a positive attitude for the Quebec Act and deemed it to be better that what the Americans would have given.
In 1776, there was a small attach launched in the Maine cost. Thanks to the Yorkshire settlers in the district who stood out against the attempt (Billias 30). Furthermore, they sent messages to the British authorities who sent out troops that quickly stopped the attack. In the process, two Indians and an American were killed. This demonstrated that the power of the British Authorities could maintain the region.
As a result of the American Revolution, the British built Fort Howe at the Mouth of Saint John to assist in guarding the Bay of Fundy. This strengthened the British side due to the strong structure they had built. They sought to construct this due to the attacks that they received from New England privateers seeking plunder.
Moreover, it religious movements arose among the Yankee dwellers. This saw the rise of powerful preachers. For instance, a powerful evangelistic preacher by the name Henry Alline spearheaded the “Great Awakening” that swept the New England districts (Billias43). The attention of the Yankees shifted from the earthly American republic towards the teachings of God. This led to the City of God to erect in Nova Scotia. People took more time in religious matters than they were with the political concerns. The people were now more fixed in the British authority, which made the British stronger to be threatened by revolution (Fiske 55).
It led to the rise of the empire of the west that was essentially Canadian. This was due to the founding of the great North West Company that reduces the impact of Bay Company. Bay Company had been created to react to the peddlers from Canada who were very aggressive. In addition, new fur supplies were unlocked. Peter Bond who was a city trader opened up a region that was rich in beaver. However, they faced high costs of transport that led them to enter into a joint venture that resulted to the formation of the Grate North West Company.
The emerging of the Canadian west empire made the division shaped by the American Revolution less harmful (Fiske 61). The divisions were crucial. This is because out of them came the United States and the Modern Canada. The west side is still unformed. It is vital that the northern part of the British holdings remained apart concerning the American Revolution.
The loyalists added strong convictions to the Canada’s heritage. They made more people to deeply support the British cause. This made the young republic lose their strength amid the strong loyalist movement.
The American Revolution led to the signing of a peace treaty in Paris in September, 1783 (Billias 66). The treaty recognized that the United States was an independent state and it drew the boundaries that separated the republic from the British territories in the North.
Furthermore, the loyalists resolved to seek security and justice from the British authorities. This was after, they had failed to get legal compensations for the losses that they has incurred. This made them move northward and leave their land to seek for justice. Due to the grievances they shared they sought earnestly for reforms and solutions. The loyalists sought to conserve the law and order from destruction by the American revolutionists. This things that were raised by the loyalists have mattered in the Canadian history today. The loyalists denied wholeheartedly revolutionary republicanism. In addition, they did not advocate for the democracy that was campaigned for by the American people. They strengthened the idea that there could be a way of doing things besides the way the America does the things.
Settlement of the loyalists in Quebec led to the Upper Canada Province, the current Province of Ontario. In addition, the Quebec Act that was designed to suit the French Canadians was altered to suit the English-speaking loyalists in the western districts of Quebec. In addition, Quebec was divided into two provinces, Upper and Lower Canada. The Upper Canada was set to be for loyalists and an English law was developed and was given its own government and assembly (Fiske 77).
The loyalists contributed economically and socially to the economy of Canada. This is due to the various activities that they were involved in. In addition, they had American experience that enabled them to clear thick bushed and build farms. The loyalists brought diversity of British America. Moreover, they were a representation of independence Canada had gained from the American Revolution.
In conclusion, the American Revolution shaped the Canadian history thorough the developments. It led to major developments in terms of military, building structures, altering and creating Acts. In addition, it led to loyalists who have had a positive impact to the economy.
Works Cited;
Billias, George A., and Donald B. Chidsey. "The War in the North: An Informal History of the American Revolution in and Near Canada." American Historical Review, 1968. Print.
Fiske, John. The American Revolution. Boston: Houghton Mifflin and Co, 1891. Print.
Lanctôt, Gustave. Canada & the American Revolution, 1774-1783. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1967. Print.
