Canada and the United States - Manifest Destiny

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Canada and the United States - Manifest Destiny

• Scott Masters
• Crestwood College

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• 1867, the year of Confederation was also the year
  of Sewards Folly, or the U.S. purchase of
  Alaska from the Russians.
• By the 1890s the U.S. had developed an
  imperialistic outlook
• the Spanish American War took place the U.S. won
  decisively and this was a big boost for American
  patriotism. Spanish lands like Puerto Rico, the
  Philippines, and Guam all became part of the U.S.

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• American imperialism got another boost when Teddy
  Roosevelt became the U.S. president
• Teddy R. pushed hard for U.S. interests around
  the world using the slogan, Speak softly and
  carry a big stick. His cowboy diplomacy was
  seen in the Panama Canal Crisis
• in 1903 the U.S. and Columbia signed a treaty
  (Columbia owned Panama at the time)

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• the treaty gave the U.S. the right to build a
  canal in return for cash but Columbia canceled
  the agreement at the last minRebels in Panama
  began an uprising against the Columbian
  government in Panama
• The U.S. stepped in and Teddy sent the USS
  Nashville (a powerful warship) to help the
  Panamanian people overthrow the Columbian
  government and help the rebels win
• The U.S. recognized the independence of Panama
  the next day and the treaty was signed. The U.S.
  got its canal rights

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Alaska Boundary Dispute

• In 1825 a poorly worded treaty had created a
  vague boundary between Canada and the U.S. on the
  Northern Coast of B.C.
• Most miners made it to the Klondike via the
  Alaska Panhandle, an area that many Canadians
  felt should belong to Cda
• This would have allowed Canada to have Pacific
  ports along certain inlets
• Klondike miners could then land at Canadian ports

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• Teddy Roosevelt rejected Canadas claims to this
  territory
• In 1903, both sides agree to settle the issue in
  court with an impartial jury
• the U.S. and Teddy R. named 3 pro-U.S. judges
• Canada picked 2 pro-Canadian judges and G.B.
  picked 1 judge- Lord Alverstone. . . .for whom
  would he vote?
• in 1903, when the 6 met in London, Lord
  Alverstone voted in favour of the U.S. The U.S.
  claim to the land was protected and no sig.
  compromise was reached. The U.S. retained the
  coastal inlets

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• Why did he vote this way?
• 1) Teddy Roosevelt made a threat.
• 2) G.B. was concerned about the growth of
  European navies/armies, especially in Ger.
• G.B. needed the support of a strong nation like
  the U.S. in case of a war in Europe.
• Canada was very bitter (and cranky)...

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N.A. Cooperation

• Relations b/n Canada and the U.S. begin to
  improve as time went by...
• 1909 Canada established the Department of
  External Affairs. Canada and the U.S. could now
  negotiate directly for the first time
• the Reciprocity Treaty US-Cda free trade in
  Canadas natural products but protective tariffs
  on manufactured goods
• Co-operation between Canada and the U.S. was to
  become closer still in WWI