Did Canada Ever Attempt to Retrieve Its Northwest Territory from the United States?

Canadians often wonder about the possibility of the Northwest Territory being under their control during the formation of the United States of America. Historically, it is important to understand the complex geopolitical context and the historical context surrounding this.

Understanding the Treaty of Paris 1783

The Northwest Territory was not something Canada ever sought to retrieve. The key reason lies in the historical context of the Treaty of Paris signed in 1783, which formally ended the American Revolutionary War. Under this treaty, Britain ceded the western territories that had been part of the Province of Quebec to the United States.

It is critical to note that control over foreign affairs was only a concern for the Canadian government post-World War I, which was long after the Treaty of Paris. Thus, the British, and by extension, Canada, were not in a position to reclaim these territories.

Post-Treaty of Versailles and World War I

Post-World War I, when Canada began to take a more active role in foreign affairs, the situation was different. However, even then, Britain did not seek to reclaim the lands because, as historian Rich Palmer points out, Britain was not interested in territorial disputes with the United States. They were more focused on maintaining peace and preventing conflict with the U.S.

Britain actually did consider ceding territory during negotiations with other European powers, as seen in the complexities of the Alaska-Canadian border issue in 1903. However, these negotiations were not aimed at reclaiming the Northwest Territory, which had already been ceded to the U.S. in 1783.

The Role of Canada

While the U.S. did not actively seek to sell the Northwest Territory, the involvement of countries like Russia was complex. Attempts were made by Russian authorities to sell Alaska to the U.S. as a counterbalance to British Columbia. However, these attempts failed, and the British government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Palmerston, did not support such a move, as they believed they had enough undeveloped northern lands.

The British government's stance during the Alaska border dispute was another factor. Rather than seeking to reclaim lands, they were more interested in negotiating the use of the Bering Sea for fur and fish trade. They managed to back down American claims that the Bering Sea was under U.S. territorial waters.

The Historical Context

During the 19th century, negotiations did take place between the British Hudson’s Bay Company and Russian authorities. However, these were primarily about trading posts and not about reclaiming the Northwest Territory. By 1867, when the three provinces of British North America (present-day Canada) joined together, the context had shifted. The newly formed Canada did not have a common border with Russian America, but there was significant concern about American influence in the region.

Moreover, British colonization of the area, particularly British Columbia, had a shared border with American territories. The British were indeed wary of American expansion, but they did not seek to reclaim the Northwest Territory from the United States.

Further Insights and Literature

Certain historical novels, such as Arthur Hailey’s “High Places,” tackle the topic of Canada’s potential acquisition of Alaska in the early 1960s, long after the initial cession in 1783. Such literature often reframes the issue, focusing on how Canada could have dealt with such acquisitions in a different historical context, but this is a work of fiction.

Ultimately, the main resolution to this question is rooted in the Treaty of Paris 1783 and the geopolitical realities of the time. Canada did not seek to reclaim the Northwest Territory from the United States of America due to historical and practical reasons.

Key Takeaways:

Treaty of Paris 1783 Post-World War I Geopolitical Context Britain’s Focus on Peace and Trade

Key Phrases:

Northwest Territory U.S. History 1783 Treaty of Paris