NationStates Jolt Archive

I hear that Canadians are proud of their history, yet I never hear the story following. So tell me, what's the history of your country?

I hear that Canadians are proud of their history, yet I never hear the story following. So tell me, what's the history of your country?

You really think any of us Canadians are going to sit here for what would take days/weeks/months to tell you our history? LOL

Would it not be easier if you really want to know to look it up on the net or actually better yet, go to the library and read about it :)

Well, I don't really feel like going through the entire history of Canada, but I think it's mostly periods in Canadian history that we're proud of.
I think being a haven of freedom during the U.S.s most oppressive days is what I'm proudest of.
By this I mean Canada's welcoming of african americans fleeing slavery, and the protection given to American draft dodgers.

There are also definite shameful moments in Canadian history though, like the internment of Japanese Canadians during WWII.

Some High Points in Canadian History (From an American)

Defending themselves from American Invasion in two wars
The creation of the Dominion in 1867 (or was it '68, sorry not exactly sure)
Completion of a trans-continental rail link
The Great War, the Canadian Corps performed admirably, with the high point being the assault on Vimy Ridge, which carried Vimy Ridge, a feat both the French and British had been unable to accomplish in three years of constant offensives.
The Second World War, they didn't even have to enter this time, but did, and again, the Canadian Army performed outstanding. They stoutly defended Hong Kong, eventually succumbing, and the First Canadian Army was instrumental in the Second Battle for France. They ended the war with a respected Army and the third largest Navy in the world (quite an achievment considering they started the war with 1 sloop and 3 corvettes)

We kicked some serious ass in WWII for a population of our size. In fact one could argue that Canada did more for the war effort then any other country if you were to judge it by "per-capita" but, that's not how it works ;)

Some High Points in Canadian History (From an American)

Defending themselves from American Invasion in two wars
Okay, I know one of them is the War of 1812, but can we REALLY say the Canadians defended themselves? Wasn't it British troops? Or was it like how the British treated us in the French and Indian War where they used the American colonists to fight their wars?

I hear that Canadians are proud of their history, yet I never hear the story following. So tell me, what's the history of your country?
All I can think of is Juno Beach at Normandy. Canadians, help me out here, it seems all Canada is is Juno Beach, Curling, and Hockey.

All I can think of is Juno Beach at Normandy. Canadians, help me out here, it seems all Canada is is Juno Beach, Curling, and Hockey.
why not read the other posts, eh?

Okay, I know one of them is the War of 1812, but can we REALLY say the Canadians defended themselves? Wasn't it British troops? Or was it like how the British treated us in the French and Indian War where they used the American colonists to fight their wars?

Well it was both.. but don't forget Canada started the same way the US did. British settlers as well as French. So while we did have support from the UK it was basically the Canadians and the Indians. Now where people try to argue with this is they argue that Canada had not yet been founded and we were nothing more then a British colony, which I guess is fair, but the people who fought for Canada stayed in Canada (some exceptions) and thus were Canadians..Although there was both.

Okay, I know one of them is the War of 1812, but can we REALLY say the Canadians defended themselves? Wasn't it British troops? Or was it like how the British treated us in the French and Indian War where they used the American colonists to fight their wars?

When the Americans invaded Canada during the War of 1812, it was Canadian Militia that defended Canada, only an extremely small number of British Regulars were available (They were busy against this little French general), not even enough to defend a frontier fort. It was a British officer who organized the defence, but Canadian militia that did the majority of the fighting, the Americans went in understrength becuase they didn't expect the Canadian militia to appear in such force. Canadians also made up a large part of the force that defeated the US at Bladensburg and burned Washington (in retaliation for the American destruction of York, modern day Toronto), by the time the British arrived in force, the war was over (but that didn't stop them from getting thrashed at New Orleans, at which IIRC no Canadian troops were present for).

All I can think of is Juno Beach at Normandy. Canadians, help me out here, it seems all Canada is is Juno Beach, Curling, and Hockey.

Well, if it's all YOU can think of - then I'm sure that must be it...

:rolleyes:

I think some one has already mentioned this, but the "Underground Railroad" where Canada saved thousand upon thousands of human beings from slavery in the USA is a VERY proud Canadian moment.

I think some one has already mentioned this, but the "Underground Railroad" where Canada saved thousand upon thousands of human beings from slavery in the USA is a VERY proud Canadian moment.
Indeed, for the Northern U.S. as well.

Well it was both.. but don't forget Canada started the same way the US did. British settlers as well as French. So while we did have support from the UK it was basically the Canadians and the Indians. Now where people try to argue with this is they argue that Canada had not yet been founded and we were nothing more then a British colony, which I guess is fair, but the people who fought for Canada stayed in Canada (some exceptions) and thus were Canadians..Although there was both.
Ahh, so people who say the Canadians burned the White House were only half-right then? :)

We kicked some serious ass in WWII for a population of our size. In fact one could argue that Canada did more for the war effort then any other country if you were to judge it by "per-capita" but, that's not how it works ;)

The size of the Canadian Military (1 1/2 million IIRC) was amazing in comparison to it's population (11 million) during WW2.

why not read the other posts, eh?
Eh? Well, let me go get a Labatt's, put on my Tuque, and go outside to the pond and watch some hockey, eh?


See, I'm kind of Canadian. Im a big hockey guy, and I play and watch a lot of hockey.

Ahh, so people who say the Canadians burned the White House were only half-right then? :)

Yep - kinda like when people say that the US won WWII....


A I recall - we burned the left half. You can blame the brits for the right half... :D

The size of the Canadian Military (1 1/2 million IIRC) was amazing in comparison to it's population (11 million) during WW2.
I heard somewhere that much of the Canadian military came from Americans who REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to fight the war, is that true?

Eh? Well, let me go get a Labatt's, put on my Tuque, and go outside to the pond and watch some hockey, eh?


See, I'm kind of Canadian. Im a big hockey guy, and I play and watch a lot of hockey.

Why would you go outside? Just turn on your tv - Team USA is actually WINNING a game right now....

I heard somewhere that much of the Canadian military came from Americans who REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to fight the war, is that true?

No.

Some Americans came north, but not a significant number at all.

The size of the Canadian Military (1 1/2 million IIRC) was amazing in comparison to it's population (11 million) during WW2.

Ah, so close.. 1.1 million...population 12 million ;)

http://www.nt.net/~toby/ww2.html

Some great WWII history about Canada.

I heard somewhere that much of the Canadian military came from Americans who REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to fight the war, is that true?

Only a very small number of Americans joined the Canadian Military, about how many joined the British (In other words, an inconsequential number), usually an American wanting to go to war would go to Canada, and then to Britain, only those who may have once been Canadian, or felt more attached to Canada would join the Royal Canadian Army/Navy/or Air Force. Americans were discouraged from joining in the war becuase President Roosevelt made it celar in January 1940, that any American participating in a foreign war would have his citizenship revoked, and would be banished from the United States (Except the Winter War, becuase the Soviet Union had never sent a Decleration of War, so technically it wasn't a "war").

Most Americans that wanted to fight went straight to Europe.

On D-Day, 14,000 Canadians stormed ashore on Juno Beach and were the only force to capture all their initial objectives that day, at a cost of 1000 casualties, of which 350 were fatal.

Ah, so close.. 1.1 million...population 12 million ;)

http://www.nt.net/~toby/ww2.html

Some great WWII history about Canada.

Well, I wasn't sure about the Canadian military numbers (I only know for sure the Army's, which was 750,000 soldiers mobilized), but the 11 million population was coming from the mobilization tables in The Complete Idiot's Guide to World War 2, and several WW2 sites.

a friend of mine said the only reson the US took Omaha (SP?) was becuse the Canadains destryed most of the heavy fixed German Artiraly after they took Juno

On D-Day, 14,000 Canadians stormed ashore on Juno Beach and were the only force to capture all their initial objectives that day, at a cost of 1000 casualties, of which 350 were fatal.

Well, that is a bit misleading, to understand it you have to realize how completely ridiculous most of the objectives for D-Day were (Like Caen was an initial objective, it didn't fall until late July). Juno was remarkable in that everything went right, the bombing was fiarly accurate, as was the naval support, and the DD tanks did not flounder and almost all got ashore. They had a tough fight for the first hour or so, but after the DD's arrived, they broke through, and the divisions they were facing was static, and of less than third-rate quality.

a friend of mine said the only reson the US took Omaha (SP?) was becuse the Canadains destryed most of the heavy fixed German Artiraly after they took Juno

As astounding as it sounds, it is false. Juno Beach was not adjacent to Omaha (that was Utah and Gold), and there was no heavy fixed artillery being utilized by the Axis forces against Omaha from there. The only fixed artillery that presented a great threat to Omaha (and Utah), were the heavy German guns on Point du Hoc, which were destroyed by US Rangers, who scaled the cliff walls, found the guns moved, then accidentally stumbled upon them and destroyed them.

Throughout the war, Canada provided training facilities and instruction to airmen from all over the world in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, graduating 132,000 pilots and aircrew, over half of whom were Canadian.

U.S. president F.D. Roosevelt called Canada "the aerodrome of democracy".

:cool:

Canadian History (http://www.canadahistory.com/)

Canadian History (http://www.canadahistory.com/)

Not the best site, it appears to be under heavy construction. There is not really much info on it. In some areas none at all.

http://history.cbc.ca/

I think thats a good site

I didn't read any more the first page so someone may have said this, but the war of 1812. We beat the Americans and then...WE BURNT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE! Oh yeah, it was us! We beat them so bad. lol

Honestly, we're proud because we aren't what we appear. We seemed so peaceful back then and then we burnt down the white house. We seem to be so proper now, but were making a lot of contreversial decisions. Oh and Hockey was invented here. In Nova Scotia, Canada! GO CANADA!

Some canadian historic moments (other than stated above):

- Internationnaly recognised as a peacefull country and a peace-broker.

- Managed to make both french and english culture to co-exist (mostly peacefully)

- Arguably one of the best healthcare system on the planet.

- Managed to separate himself from the motherland without the need for bloodshed.

- Land of many inventions (microphone, telephone, ski-doo, and many others). On this point I'd like to mention that some of Alexander Graham Bell's invention are claimed by the US and Canada as Bell resided in both countries. Also, the US like to think they invented the microphone but it is not the case, they merely commercialized it.

- Defeated the russians in hockey in '72. It was a big deal back then for us and for them.

- Great at lesser known sport like curling or bridge.

There's more to history than war, people!

Check out this PARTIAL list of great Canadian inventions and inventors.

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa090100a.htm

Thing about Alexander Graham Bell...he may have very well become Canadian if citizenship had been around at the time (he died 1920, citizenship enabled around 1947 in Canada) since he was in love with the place and had both his permanent residence and summer home in Canada (he's buried at his summer home in Baddeck, NS).

He moved to America and became a citizen there to keep his inventions from being used by Britain in WWI (he was a pacifist, obviously he's allowed) but he was certainly born in Scotland. So he's more scot than anything else IMHO, even though he was very Canadian in spirit, which is why he's treated in that regard by many (maybe I should too and give him the status he wanted post-humously...hmm...).

But that doesn't make him any less notable. In fact scots played the largest part in the founding of Canada and its institutions. Many of the first prime ministers, other politicians and industrialists were scottish born. And there is even a province named Nova Scotia which means 'New Scotland' in latin. So its hard to say he's not canadian by his scottish status alone. He certainly said he loved the land, people and all that patriotic stuff.

Some rather profound Canadian Inventions...(not all the links work, but it lists the invention and by who)

http://www3.sympatico.ca/taniah/Canada/things/

Even more inventions and other notables.

Excerpts from a book written by Ralph Nader of all people...

http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.com%2FYosemite%2FTrails%2F2802%2Fst_cdn.htm

Lets not forget that it was our former PM, Lester. B Pearson who won the Nobel peace prize for inventing the concept of peacekeeping which had never been done before.

Lets not forget that it was our former PM, Lester. B Pearson who won the Nobel peace prize for inventing the concept of peacekeeping which had never been done before.

What kind of Canadaian would I be if I didn't know about the Suez Crisis :)

Hell, we prevented WWIII and managed to hold back the armies of quite a few powerful nations through non-violent military action.

What a thing to be proud of!

I didn't read any more the first page so someone may have said this, but the war of 1812. We beat the Americans and then...WE BURNT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE! Oh yeah, it was us! We beat them so bad. lol

Honestly, we're proud because we aren't what we appear. We seemed so peaceful back then and then we burnt down the white house. We seem to be so proper now, but were making a lot of contreversial decisions. Oh and Hockey was invented here. In Nova Scotia, Canada! GO CANADA!
Calm down there, there was no "beating" of each other. There was significant damage done to each other, and there was a treaty that ended the war. Neither side won, nor did any side loss. Although America did suffer the loss of it's capitol building. But the spirit of America lies within a true, patriotic American.

Some rather profound Canadian Inventions...(not all the links work, but it lists the invention and by who)

http://www3.sympatico.ca/taniah/Canada/things/
Your really really really really into this aren't you? :D


I emphasize with you, if America had a better, more decent history and wasn't as well known as Canada's was, I would be shouting as much as I can.

You know what they say:

Canada - too much geography, and not enough history.

The nice thing about Canada is they're modesty and I think they care a lot for their environment too. Don't Canadians speak both French and English? Beautiful! I even think they weren't that hard on the natives either. No massacres and etnic purifications, that sort of thing.

Correct me if I'm wrong...they never invaded "commie" asian or south-american countries either.

The nice thing about Canada is they're modesty and I think they care a lot for their environment too. Don't Canadians speak both French and English? Beautiful! I even think they weren't that hard on the natives either. No massacres and etnic purifications, that sort of thing.

Correct me if I'm wrong...they never invaded "commie" asian or south-american countries either.

People in Quebec commonly speak both. Other parts of the country speak largely English only, or with French as a partially-known language.

I found this factoid from the link (http://www.nt.net/~toby/ww2.html) posted earlier interesting:

There were 142 Canadian aces in WWII (an ace being a pilot who shot down five or more enemy aircraft). Thirty-two of these aces shot down ten or more aircraft. The top five aces were:

...[some people]...

William McKnight - 16.5 kills

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you get half a kill?

well...

some guy named champlain or something came over from france and found quebec. Then some natives pointed at their huts and said "KANATA!" which means houses or something. The British or should I say Hudson's bay company "The Bay" didn't want these frenchies in their fur trade and kicked htem out of KANATA! so france made peace and settled for some island in the tropics. Then came the americans in 1812, as everyone knows and the proof the british won is Detroit is on the American side and we own the best parts of Niagra falls. KANATA! shortly afterwards gained some autonomy and became a country.


Then, one by one the other british colonies joined in the Canadian federation as the canadian pacific railroad was built form east to west coast from Halifax NS to Vancouver BC largely to keep out US raliroad interests. KANATA! steadily grew and transformed from a rural economy to industrial in the post world war 2 period Canada's currency surged in the 60's and 70's against the US dollar and well surpassed it. KANATA! is also the least populous member of the G8; the world's richest and industrialized countries.

Not too bad for 137 years old and what country could say it started out as a land holding of what is today a department store chain and kicked out not only the french, but the brits and the yanks??? No one is really too sure what KANATA! actually means either. For all we know it could mean 'you stink go take a bath'

Oh and we have the best beer!

*belch*

*belch*

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you get half a kill?

The Brits were notorious anal on how they counted kills, and many Canadians served in the RAF throughout the war as the two services were well integrated.

How do you get half a kill? In dogfights multiple aircraft might attack the same target. Who gets the credit if the plane goes down if two fighters strafe the same bomber? Both got half a kill attributed. On your mission debrief you had to state identifying marks on the craft you shot down. Also, craft downings over england during the Battle of Britain were all verified by spotters and credits were also vetted through such witness testimony.

Things were taken more on faith for missions going out over the Eurpean mainland, but for action over Britain it was common to have pilots with their credit including a number of partial kills.

The Brits were notorious anal on how they counted kills, and many Canadians served in the RAF throughout the war as the two services were well integrated.

How do you get half a kill? In dogfights multiple aircraft might attack the same target. Who gets the credit if the plane goes down if two fighters strafe the same bomber? Both got half a kill attributed. On your mission debrief you had to state identifying marks on the craft you shot down. Also, craft downings over england during the Battle of Britain were all verified by spotters and credits were also vetted through such witness testimony.

Things were taken more on faith for missions going out over the Eurpean mainland, but for action over Britain it was common to have pilots with their credit including a number of partial kills.

I suppose that makes sense. Thanks for the info. ^_^

Oh and we have the best beer!

*belch*

*belch*

haha, Labbat or Labat ... I once drank Labbat Ice or is it Labat Ice... It was refreshing and tasty yes... A lot of corn I think? Well let me put it short, being from the most important country considering good beer (and chocolat)...not germany (they wouldn't know good chocolat if you hit them over the head with it)...you have never tasted home brewed Belgian beer (no export stella...no export Leffe either, if they export it). You should try Duvel. One of our best. Duvel is Flemish dialect for Devil. Most people pass out (when not used to it) after about 8 Duvels. :p :D Sweeet... I think I'm going for one now... (its 8h30 past noon here)

Ew... Not only is Labatt a pilsner, it tastes like dish water and it is way too foamy! Blech, so bloody disgusting, eh! Now, before Molsens merged with Coors, they had good beer; now on principle I refuse to touch it. For international beer, Guiness is good.

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/images/030701.jpg

Okay, I know one of them is the War of 1812, but can we REALLY say the Canadians defended themselves? Wasn't it British troops? Or was it like how the British treated us in the French and Indian War where they used the American colonists to fight their wars?
By the time of some of the largest French and Indian wars, (1798-1815) America had broken away from Britian. There where no American troops serving for Britian at Ayasse for example. A few Americans who where Loyalists served England in the Napolianic wars.

Also, at the time of the War of 1812 England was also involved in the Penisula war, and in that year lost around 20,000 troops in one seige (Badajoz) yet we still managed to stop your attacks.

I hear that Canadians are proud of their history, yet I never hear the story following. So tell me, what's the history of your country?
I think, apart from all the reasons mentioned above that people can be proud of Canada, some mentioned should be made of Jean Chretien's decision not to circumvent the United Nations protocols and participate in the war on Iraq.

I think, apart from all the reasons mentioned above that people can be proud of Canada, some mentioned should be made of Jean Chretien's decision not to circumvent the United Nations protocols and participate in the war on Iraq.

ehr...who invaded Iraq?

ehr...who invaded Iraq?

The USA with some help from the UK...Canada deemed the invasion illegal and didn't take part.

We are however in Afghanistan.

ehr...who invaded Iraq?
A coalition of 33 countries, led by the US and the UK.

The USA with some help from the UK...Canada deemed the invasion illegal and didn't take part.

We are however in Afghanistan.
Not "illegal". Canada chose to respect the United Nations and grant it due authority, whereas the US and UK chose to ignore any authority it may have in favour of "I've got the bigger weapons, so you have to listen to me" democracy.

EDIT: I meant diplomacy, not democracy.

A coalition of 33 countries, led by the US and the UK.

Umm, not quite true.. only 3 or 4 countries actually took part in the invasion. Over 90% of the actual troops were Americans. With the Americans also footing 95% of the bill. Other then 4 or 5 countries the rest aren't really worth mentioning as they only gave political support. Now many countries have stepped up to the plate to help re-build Iraq. The actual invasion it's self was done mostly by the Americans with help from the UK, with a very small amount of troops from other countries. There certainly was never any where near 33 countries in theater, it was political support that was it. In exchange for aid for their (mostly) poor countries.

Any way, this thread is about Canada not the Iraq war. Lets get back on topic.

Thank You!

Not "illegal". Canada chose to respect the United Nations and grant it due authority, whereas the US and UK chose to ignore any authority it may have in favour of "I've got the bigger weapons, so you have to listen to me" democracy.

Get back on topic. I'm a Canadian, yes we did deem it illegal under international law.

Any way, as stated, Canada not Iraq. You want to argue over Iraq, start a new thread.

Thank You.

Get back on topic. I'm a Canadian, yes we did deem it illegal under international law.

Any way, as stated, Canada not Iraq. You want to argue over Iraq, start a new thread.

Thank You.
Sorry. I thought it was a thread about Canadian history. My mistake.

Sorry. I thought it was a thread about Canadian history. My mistake.

Then talk about Canadian history. Since Canada had nothing to do with what we were talking about... it's not exactly about Canadian history now is it. ;)