Canada at War!
Speaking of fighting between Canada and the US. Did you all know that the US tried to take over Canada once and LOST? Yep, that's right. Those of you who know history know that on August 16th, 1812 (War of 1812 might ring a bell), General William Hull tried to invade Canada and was stopped at Detroit by a smaller, yet well prepared army led by Isaac Brock. I hope no one has hard feelings about this but it just goes to show you that Canadians knew how to fight at one time (we've lost our edge the last 10 years or so). Actually, little known to most, Canadians were very involved in many wars. In World War I (1914-1918), Canada (population of 8 million at the time) sent 418,000 troops and lost over 60,000. In World War II we declared war on Germany on Sept 10, 1939...yes 1939 and Canada (population of 12 million at the time) sent 1,100,000. We were allies with the US in both the Korean and Vietnamese wars and big into peace-keeping. So...my American friends...don't even think of trying to invade Canada. You may think you can over take us...but we will stop you!
posted by barry-eh @ 12:38 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Good observation Tyler, I had to look that one up (like all the facts). The British actually occupied the Detroit area but later in 1813 the Americans came in again and took the Detroit area. Maybe the British Canadians thought, "If we give them Detroit, maybe then they will be happy."
But actually during that war, of 1812, there were many "invasions" back and forth across the border. In fact, also around the time of the Revolutionary War. Again, due to British rule still in Canada, even such things as West Point (History I know all too well) are located at strategic spots to prevent the free logistical support of British controlled New York City during the Revolution. West Point (Then a series of forts, including the infamous Fort Arnold of Benedict Arnold fame where he became a traitor) was located to stop ships from being able to travel the Hudson river between Canada and NYC.
In that war, and 1812, there were also several battles on the Great Lakes, and invasions around Ottawa, Montreal, Pennsylvania and Ohio. And you know what. The furthest any of them advanced was the British/Canadians down through New York in the Revolution until the battles of Saratoga and Ticonderoga (I think I have the battles right) in upstate New York.
My conclusion from this: Both sides have had their fighting in the past, and due to the terrain and lakes/St. Lawrence absolutely none of them were successful in the long term...but that was then and this is now.
On another note, as for fighting today, I had an instructor at a United States Army Officer school from Canada--and we return the favor with them. Canadians do fight, and are a great army in their own right. This may seem unpatriotic to us US Citizens, but really most of those other Armys and Armed Forces are tougher than ours. They just don't have the numbers. But that is the balance--you can create stricter standards for a smaller force...and the larger you get the lower the standards. It's a fact, in anything, but particularly military. So if the US attacked Canada, there wouldn't even be much of a fight because we have numbers and money on our side. But as a smart person, we shouldn't fight right now. The US will let Canada go about and just ban handguns and weapons in general as they seem to be doing now. Then, what resistance will they have! Then again, why would we want Canada a part of the US? It's awfully cold up there and we do have such a good thing going now...
Canada won the hockey game last night!! :)
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