Monday, April 8, 2013

Yankee Doodled

English: A graphical representation of a typic...
English: A graphical representation of a typical Butler's Rangers soldier. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

New Englanders were not happy Pilgrims when Old Englanders
sent them the bill for the Seven years War.

As a matter of fact they were downright cranky about it.

They did unfriendly things like confiscating a man's property and
burning his house down if he did business with the British Army

or sat on the fence politically. 
Sometimes they hanged him and left his family destitute. 

To escape the dangerous mobs many Loyalists fled to New York City. 

It eventually became the last British stronghold in the 13 Colonies. 

In a scene that must have been reminiscent of the expulsion
of the Acadians, the British evacuated thousands of people out of

New York harbour before the Continental Army entered the city.

About 30,000 refugees were taken to the Maritime Provinces
and about 2,000 were settled in Quebec.

7,500 Loyalists escaped by travelling overland to the British

outpost at Fort Niagara.

Once there many of the men joined Col. John Butler's Rangers and
fought back against the Continental Army.

Unfortunately for the Loyalists wherever they ended up
there was no going home again when the war ended.

People who had lived comfortable lives in New England had to start
over in the Canadian wilderness with nothing.

The border between Canada and the US was decided by the

Treaty of Paris at the end of the war.

Canada, with a population of less than a million, was composed of angry

French people, angrier refugees from the US and a large number
of totally pissed off indigenous folks.

The 19th century could only get better. 


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CraveCute said...

Right! People can be so cranky and difficult though!

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

All those angry, cranky people in Canada. How did we ever get to be so polite and friendly?

Adam said...

makes you wonder what America would have become if Great Britain had treated them fairly.

The Dancing Crone said...

Interesting question, Adam. There are so many possibilities, particularly around the French population. As for GB treating America unfairly, in my polite Canadian way I'm trying to say we don't think you treated our ancestors very well and now we want our land back. :)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

My Loyalist forebears drove across the border from New Jersey. Or should I say New Joisey? I'm sure they were as cranky as the rest.

Doug Jamieson said...

I'd never really considered how much the Loyalists would have given up to stay on the British side. Enjoying your historical journey.

Introverted Art said...

I have to agree with Martha. I am yet to meet a rude Canadian. Actually, just today, I saw a car from Quebec (ok, I know, doesn't really count ;-) speeding down the highway like a psycho and I swear I was so surprised because generally everyone is so polite.

Pandorah's Box said...

Hahah! Right!

Fundy Blue said...

Loved the ending, Francie! Coming out of that modern Canadians must be a miracle with their politeness and respect! I'm enjoying your historical posts.