Canada

[ccpender]

Canada had no real reason to side with the Americans. Prior to the revolution, the Quebec Act of 1774 transferred the Indian trade between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Quebec. Also, Quebec’s French inhabitants were granted French law and the ability to practice Roman Catholicism. This created division between the American Protestants because they believed the British government was trying to create a hostile Catholic province ( pg 22-23). Because of their not siding with Americans, many loyalists fled to Canada as a safe haven (113).

[dwhannah]

Canada and France did not wish to see the Colonies gain strength and be a “Power” in their front yard. Canada was also a haven for British loyalist that fled the Colonies during the Revolution. The British passed acts that gave the French the right to speak their own language, worship as Catholics, and pass laws. All these measures were passed to fain support for the Colonies. Although, Franklin and other delegates were sent to Quebec it was to little avail and Canada still did not join the Revolution.

[nicolesmith]

The Canadians were asked numerous times by American leaders to join in the Revolution, and they continually said no. When they declined, Congress invaded Canada and they were unsuccessful on two different occasions. After these attempts Canada remained part of the British Empire.
The loyalists made up about twenty percent of the white American population, and nearly 20,000 of them fought for the crown. As many as 60,000 to 80,000 loyalists, it is estimated, left America for Canada and Great Britain during the Revolution, although many of these returned after the war and were reintegrated into American society,” (pg. 113).