The Canadian/American border is one of the few completely natural borders in the world. It follows the watersheds all across the continent. Not that there has to be a border but if you are going to have one, it's current location is exactly where to put it. There are a few dips and doodles of course but they were imposed on to the original vision.
One of the most notable was revision of the Fraser River watershed to replace the original Columbia River watershed removing what is now Washington state from the then British/Canadian view of the situation. The *little* dip was imposed by Teddy Roosevelt in his big stick mode.
The fact that Canada became a federal, parliamentary democracy also had a lot to do with America’s 200 plus year old decision not to envelope Canada. From a realist viewpoint it definitely could/should have done so by now. The liberal peace theory says otherwise. Also, despite the east-west connection you highlight with the railroad there is enough economic flow from Canada to the US to assuage the US. For instance, most of Canada’s hydrocarbons still go to US refineries as you point out.
Stanley Lipset’s book “Continental Divide” does a very good job of explaining why the two so similarly cultural peoples have developed differences that keep them politically separate.
As an aside, the US’s and Canada’s decision to build railroads and then roads across their continents and America’s ability to finish the Panama Canal made any development of the famed Northest passage much more unlikely.
Chris, thank you for this wonderful and fascinating post. Big picture strategic engineering thinking runs in your veins!
Canada’s example played an important role for Australia by providing a non-Republican model for the Federation that was to be realised on 1 Jan 1901. This was first mentioned in a little known public speech at Ballarat in 1869, referencing the 1867 events in Canada. So important that we all know our history, both family and national.
The Canadian/American border is one of the few completely natural borders in the world. It follows the watersheds all across the continent. Not that there has to be a border but if you are going to have one, it's current location is exactly where to put it. There are a few dips and doodles of course but they were imposed on to the original vision.
One of the most notable was revision of the Fraser River watershed to replace the original Columbia River watershed removing what is now Washington state from the then British/Canadian view of the situation. The *little* dip was imposed by Teddy Roosevelt in his big stick mode.
Thanks for the color.
The fact that Canada became a federal, parliamentary democracy also had a lot to do with America’s 200 plus year old decision not to envelope Canada. From a realist viewpoint it definitely could/should have done so by now. The liberal peace theory says otherwise. Also, despite the east-west connection you highlight with the railroad there is enough economic flow from Canada to the US to assuage the US. For instance, most of Canada’s hydrocarbons still go to US refineries as you point out.
Stanley Lipset’s book “Continental Divide” does a very good job of explaining why the two so similarly cultural peoples have developed differences that keep them politically separate.
As an aside, the US’s and Canada’s decision to build railroads and then roads across their continents and America’s ability to finish the Panama Canal made any development of the famed Northest passage much more unlikely.
thanks for the education Chris
Chris, thank you for this wonderful and fascinating post. Big picture strategic engineering thinking runs in your veins!
Canada’s example played an important role for Australia by providing a non-Republican model for the Federation that was to be realised on 1 Jan 1901. This was first mentioned in a little known public speech at Ballarat in 1869, referencing the 1867 events in Canada. So important that we all know our history, both family and national.
Best, Stephen