Canada+and+the+U.S.

=Should The United States and Canada be one Country?=

During the War of 1812, the United States invaded Canada no less than 3 times with the intent to conquer it and make it part of the United States. Since then, peaceful relations have persisted and we now share the longest undefended border in the entire world. We are each other's closest ally and largest trading partner. Our values and national cultures are very similar. We have great admiration and respect for each other. It has been suggested that the U.S. and Canada combine voluntarily into one country for both of our benefit. Could this work? Would it really be best for both of us?

Check out this editorial from the Providence Journal that was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Wednesday, April 9th

Canada, U.S. have dated for years; is it time to get serious about union?

This topic relates directly to our Terrritorial Growth / Manifest Destiny unit as the U.S grew from the Mississippi/ Rocky Mountains to the Pacific by annexing the Republic of Texas, invading and defeating Mexico to acquire the Southwest including California by treaty, and by negotiating to split Oregon with Great Britain. In later years (to be studied in 10th grade) the U.S. will buy Alaska from Russia, annex Hawaii, and acquire territories in the Pacific including the Phillipines and in the Caribbean including Puerto Rico as a consequence of vitory in the Spanish-American War. Have we really stopped growing? Will we forever have only 50 states?

What would be the benefits of joining with Canada?

What would the complications be?

This discussion will run through Monday, April 21st.