Canada and the Canada and the United States - United States - Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

Scott MastersScott Masters

Crestwood CollegeCrestwood College

1867, the year of 1867, the year of Confederation was also Confederation was also the year of “the year of “Seward’s Seward’s FollyFolly”, or the U.S. ”, or the U.S. purchase of Alaska purchase of Alaska from the Russians.from the Russians.

By the 1890s the U.S. By the 1890s the U.S. had developed an had developed an imperialisticimperialistic outlook… outlook…

the the Spanish AmericanSpanish American WarWar took place: the U.S. took place: the U.S. won decisively and this won decisively and this was a big boost for was a big boost for American patriotism. American patriotism. Spanish lands like Spanish lands like Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam Philippines, and Guam all became part of the all became part of the U.S.U.S.

American imperialism American imperialism got another boost got another boost when when Teddy RooseveltTeddy Roosevelt became the U.S. became the U.S. presidentpresident

Teddy R. pushed hard Teddy R. pushed hard for U.S. interests for U.S. interests around the world using around the world using the slogan, “the slogan, “Speak Speak softly and carry a big softly and carry a big stickstick”. His “cowboy ”. His “cowboy diplomacy” was seen diplomacy” was seen in the in the Panama Canal Panama Canal CrisisCrisis

in 1903 the U.S. and in 1903 the U.S. and Columbia signed a Columbia signed a treaty (Columbia treaty (Columbia owned Panama at the owned Panama at the time)time)

the treaty gave the U.S. the right the treaty gave the U.S. the right to build a canal in return for to build a canal in return for cash; but Columbia canceled the cash; but Columbia canceled the agreement at the last min…agreement at the last min…Rebels in Panama began an Rebels in Panama began an uprising against the Columbian uprising against the Columbian government in Panamagovernment in Panama

The U.S. stepped in and Teddy The U.S. stepped in and Teddy sent the sent the USS USS NashvilleNashville (a (a powerful warship) to help the powerful warship) to help the Panamanian people overthrow Panamanian people overthrow the Columbian government and the Columbian government and help the rebels winhelp the rebels win

The U.S. recognized the The U.S. recognized the independence of Panama the independence of Panama the next day and the treaty was next day and the treaty was signed. The U.S. got its canal signed. The U.S. got its canal rightsrights

Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute

In 1825 a poorly worded In 1825 a poorly worded treaty had created a vague treaty had created a vague boundary between Canada boundary between Canada and the U.S. on the and the U.S. on the Northern Coast of B.C.Northern Coast of B.C.

Most miners made it to the Most miners made it to the Klondike via the Klondike via the Alaska Alaska PanhandlePanhandle, an area that , an area that many Canadians felt many Canadians felt should belong to Cda should belong to Cda

This would have allowed This would have allowed Canada to have Pacific Canada to have Pacific ports along certain inletsports along certain inlets

Klondike miners could Klondike miners could then land at Canadian then land at Canadian portsports

Teddy Roosevelt rejected Teddy Roosevelt rejected Canada’s claims to this Canada’s claims to this territoryterritory

In 1903, both sides agree to In 1903, both sides agree to settle the issue in court settle the issue in court with an impartial jury:with an impartial jury:

the U.S. and Teddy R. the U.S. and Teddy R. named 3 pro-U.S. judgesnamed 3 pro-U.S. judges

Canada picked 2 pro-Canada picked 2 pro-Canadian judges and G.B. Canadian judges and G.B. picked 1 judge- picked 1 judge- Lord Lord AlverstoneAlverstone. . . .for whom . . . .for whom would he vote?would he vote?

in 1903, when the 6 met in in 1903, when the 6 met in London, Lord Alverstone London, Lord Alverstone voted in favour of the U.S. voted in favour of the U.S. The U.S. claim to the land The U.S. claim to the land was protected and no sig. was protected and no sig. compromise was reached. compromise was reached. The U.S. retained the The U.S. retained the coastal inletscoastal inlets

Why did he vote this Why did he vote this way?way?

1) Teddy Roosevelt 1) Teddy Roosevelt made a threat.made a threat.

2) G.B. was concerned 2) G.B. was concerned about the growth of about the growth of European European navies/armies, navies/armies, especially in Ger. especially in Ger.

G.B. needed the G.B. needed the support of a strong support of a strong nation like the U.S. in nation like the U.S. in case of a war in case of a war in Europe.Europe.

Canada was very Canada was very bitter (and cranky)...bitter (and cranky)...

N.A. CooperationN.A. Cooperation Relations b/n Canada and Relations b/n Canada and

the U.S. begin to improve as the U.S. begin to improve as time went by...time went by...

1909: Canada established 1909: Canada established the the Department of External Department of External AffairsAffairs. Canada and the U.S. . Canada and the U.S. could now negotiate directly could now negotiate directly for the first timefor the first time

the the Reciprocity TreatyReciprocity Treaty – US- – US-Cda “free trade” in Canada’s Cda “free trade” in Canada’s natural products but natural products but protective tariffs on protective tariffs on manufactured goodsmanufactured goods

Co-operation between Co-operation between Canada and the U.S. was to Canada and the U.S. was to become closer still in WWI…become closer still in WWI…