dishwashing

Inspired (cough) by oink's post, I wondered how many people agree with this assessment.

Certainly Canadians do seem conservative and "careful" but is this insecurity or just a repressed social network

not2old

disagree

plasticcanuck

Quite frankly, I believe very little of what Oink writes.

el_richo

I agree with Oink

JamesM

I agree.

No one on this forum more diplomatic or forgiving of Canadians than Oink either. A true pillar.

Oink

Wouldn't you feel a bit insecure when your country is completely overshadowed by a massively egotistical, phenomenally wealthy and culturally vibrant (if a little mad at times) country while most your population huddles as close as it can to its northern border?

Oink

I like Canadians when they're not in Canada or they're keeping their mitts out of my fridge.

MarylandNed

I thought that was so Canadians could fight them off when they tried to invade. Like they did before in that war Canada won. You know the one that I mean - that one that no Americans know about.

Oink

It is a little disingenuous to call that war and more so to say that Canadians won it. The local colonists were rather indifferent and only really got the hump when their southern brethren came in and started nicking their stuff.

dishwashing

oink does have a very depressing outlook, I wonder if he is happy.
Ok I think we settle it as next...!

MikeUK

That's because only Canadian's calls it a war, for everybody else it was classed as a battle !
and to be fair it was really a military conflict between Britain and America brought about by Britain's war and embargoes with France, and no borders were changed
and for many in Europe it was considered to be part of the Napoleonic wars

caretaker

Fought by British regulars and Canadian militias versus American regulars and militias and First Nations on both sides. definately a war as it involved many battles on many fronts on land and at sea and was not won, as it was settled diplomatically at the Treaty of Ghent. If immigrants aren't going to be required to learn the major points of Canadian history before being admitted I wish they'd at least expend minimal effort to learn it after they arrive.

Oakvillian

It wasn't a war in its own right, as far as anyone other than the Canadians (and some Americans) are concerned. It was a series of engagements as part of the Napoleonic wars; war was declared by America because they were pissed off with the Brits blockading US-French maritime trade (among other gripes). Inasmuch as it was the first time America ever declared war on another sovereign nation it is significant, but America didn't win so it doesn't really count, as any fule kno.

As soon as the Brits had started getting the better of Napoleon in the European theatre in 1814, they turned up the heat on the Americans who quickly and enthusiastically joined the Ghent negotiations. Although America won some of the later battles (Plattsburgh, New Orleans, Baltimore) in late 1814 and early 1815, all territorial exchanges were restored to their pre-1812 lines as party of the treaty. British victories in Upper Canada, largely against poorly led American militias, have been inflated into some sort of national-identity shorthand in Canada today. The irony of Laura Secord's exploits being simpered over to the point that they are reduced, quite literally, to a picture on a chocolate box is more profound than most Canadians credit.

A bit like Vimy Ridge, really - heartwarming for Canadians to get dewy-eyed and emotional over, but not tremendously significant in the grand scheme of things.

If Canadians aren't going to be required to understand their place in the World Order in school, I wish they'd at least expend minimal effort to appreciate it when they're older

Oink

That's a rather nebulous concept.

caretaker

The battle of Vimy Ridge, like the War of 1812 were both great achievements of the Harper Government. Unless I have my conflicts confused the Royal Navys' press-ganging of Americans was one of the US's grievances.
Vimy's historical significance for Canada isn't about some short-lived capture of land but because it was the first time Canada's army planned and controlled military operations without the British being in charge; a victory for independence as much as a military victory.