The story of America’s independence from England is very well known, but did you know that Canada was also once part of the British Empire? It’s true! We Canadians threw off the same British yoke as you, only we took a more leisurely route to liberation. In fact, you might say, we’ve been “declaring” our “independence” for more than 200 years! Kind of!
Our style of revolution centered less on bloodshed and guerrilla warfare and more on the time-tested strategy of “not making a fuss.” For example, at the same time you were declaring war on the English monarchy, we were enjoying privileges granted to us by King George in the Treaty of Versailles, which gave us fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland, provided we not dry or cure fish on land. (And by the way, we later got the right to cure and dry fish on land, thank you very much!)
All I’m saying here is there is more than one way to skin a cat. Not that I am in any way saying that I would like to harm a cat. Quite the contrary. I like cats. Unless American wants Canada to skin a cat, in which case we will gladly do it.
The point is we took our time, waiting for The Canadian Moment to arrive, rather than forcing it upon the world. We waited, in the cold, wathcing the U.S., most of Central and South America, Africa and Asia throw off their colonial oppressors. I think it was us and Belize that held out.
And our patience ultimately paid off, for in the glorious year of 1982, we took the bold step of getting permission from England to amend our constitution so we could amend our constitution — without getting permission from England. Let freedom ring!
Now the only remants of the tyrannical rule of Queen Elizabeth II are an appointed “Governor General” who represents her in Canadian governmental affairs. And the Queen is still officially our head of state. Plus she’s on all our money. And when we take a government job, we have to swear a loyalty pledge to her. All in all, a small price to pay for an independence achived without bloodshed, violence, glory or independence.
I’m sorry if this in any way seems like bragging.
Samatha Bee
America: The Book
Search
Subscribe 
You are currently browsing the Bene Diction Blogs On weblog archives.
Related Entries
For blog design, Wordpress or MovableType coding or blog consulting, see cre8d design.
BD: I thought you were allergic to cats.
Maybe he’s just allergic to the ones without any skin on them??? <;-)
Malaysia went down almost the same route. We achieved our ‘freedom’ the way of negotiation.
Though … we no longer hold any allegiance to the Queen. I mean, with 11 sultans in our country alone, we have enough sovereigns!
I am allergic to cats, and I hold no, and I mean no affection for them.:^)
Well I guess we could brag that here in the US we were able to enjoy freedom for an additional 200 years more that up north but oh well. We all can brag about something. I also know that the relationship between Canada and and the UK has been a positive one so I guess you received “your reward” in 1982. You sparked my interest in Canadian history. One question: Has the relationship between Canada and the UK always been as positive or has the relationship between your country and the UK been strenuous at times over the past 225 years? I’m very curious and anxiously await your response. I want to learn something today. Your friend, DH.
See! You ask nicely, and we give you freedom! Very polite and civilised, no cats got harmed, everyone’s happy.
The short answer DH is yes and no.
Like the US, Canada began to be explored and settled in the 1600’s by two main European groups, the French and English. People were busy looking for the Northwest passage too.
Here is a history of Canada you might want to browse through.
http://www.linksnorth.com/canada-history/
Thanks for the link. After reading this, I guess Canada was caught in the middle between two world powers. I got the impression that maybe before the US Civil War that Canada could have fought for Independence. It sure would have been interesting if Canada and the US fought against England before then, but then I remember that the US was involved in the Mexican War in 1848. How about between 1812 and 1845? We will never know. or between 1875 (reconstruction) and WWI? That would have been militarily difficult. Man Canada was between a rock and a hard place but I guess it all worked out in the end.
It’s always wonderful to read the history of my homeland. Living in the US for no matter how long, I still feel like a foreigner. lol There truly is no place like home.