The Establishment of the United States-Canada Border: A Historical Analysis
Trump is an idiot when it comes to history. He thinks the US/Canada border is arbitrary. We'll, here's a tutorial which should be shirt enough for Trump to understand - - if he's patient enough to sit still long enough to allow someone to read it to him…
The U.S.-Canada border, the longest international land boundary in the world, is a testament to centuries of evolving geopolitical landscapes. Its formation is a complex narrative woven from treaties, territorial disputes, and the gradual solidification of national identities. Here's a look at the key milestones in its history:
Early Origins and the Treaty of Paris (1783):
The initial delineation of the border stemmed from the Treaty of Paris, which concluded the American Revolutionary War. This treaty established the boundary between the newly formed United States and British North America. However, the treaty's descriptions were often vague, leading to future disagreements.
Early border definition was difficult, because of the lack of good maps, and the fact that many areas were still not well explored.
Key Treaties and Territorial Adjustments:
The Jay Treaty (1794):
This treaty aimed to resolve lingering disputes from the Treaty of Paris, including the precise location of the St. Croix River. It established commissions to survey and map portions of the border.
The Treaty of 1818:
A crucial agreement that established the 49th parallel as the boundary from the Lake of the Woods westward to the Rocky Mountains. It also established joint occupation of the Oregon Country.
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842):
This treaty resolved disputes in the eastern portion of the border, particularly in Maine and New Brunswick. It clarified the boundary in areas that had been sources of tension.
The Oregon Treaty (1846):
This treaty settled the dispute over the Oregon Country, extending the 49th parallel westward to the Strait of Georgia. This established the current boundary in the Pacific Northwest, with the exception of the alaska panhandle.
The Alaska Boundary Dispute (1903):
Following the United States' purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, a dispute arose over the boundary between Alaska and British Columbia. An international tribunal ultimately settled the dispute in favor of the United States, granting it the Alaska Panhandle.
The Role of the International Boundary Commission:
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the International Boundary Commission played a vital role in surveying, mapping, and maintaining the border.
This commission continues to ensure the accurate demarcation of the boundary, maintaining thousands of monuments and reference points.
Key characteristics of the border:
The US/Canadian border is extremely long, and traverses many different types of terrain, from ocean, to mountains, to plains, and great lakes.
The border, for the most part, is a peaceful border, with a long history of cooperation between the two nations.
In summary:
The U.S.-Canada border is a product of gradual evolution, shaped by diplomatic negotiations and territorial adjustments. While disputes arose throughout its history, the two nations have consistently sought peaceful resolutions. Today, the border stands as a symbol of the enduring relationship between the United States and Canada.