Between Empire and Republic: America in the Colonial Canadian Imagination

In 1837, a small group of rebels proclaimed the short-lived Republic of Canada. The choice between monarchy and republicanism shaped both colonial self-images and images of the United States, driving the political deliberations that united the colonies of British North America into a self-governing Dominion under the British Crown. Colonial authors Susanna Moodie, Th. Ch. Haliburton, and John Richardson explained colonial realities to their British, Canadian, and American readership, serving as a lens into colonial Canadian perceptions of American and British political ideas and institutions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In 1837, a small group of rebels proclaimed the short-lived Republic of Canada, marking a significant moment in the history of the region. Between then and the Act of Confederation of 1867, colonial Canadians embarked on a journey of envisioning the future of their communities in North America. The choice between monarchy and republicanism played a pivotal role in shaping both colonial self-images and perceptions of the United States. It also drove the political deliberations that ultimately united the colonies of British North America into a self-governing Dominion under the British Crown.

Between Empire and Republic is a thematic exploration of the political discourse embedded in the literary output of this period. Colonial authors such as Susanna Moodie, Th. Ch. Haliburton, and John Richardson enjoyed transatlantic popularity, reaching a wide audience across British, Canadian, and American territories. Collectively, their writings serve as a valuable lens into colonial Canadian perceptions of American and British political ideas and institutions.

The book delves into North America as a literary contact zone, where British principles of constitutional monarchy competed with American ideas of republicanism and democratic self-government. The author argues that political ideas in pre-Confederation Canada filtered into the literary works of the time, creating two settler-colonial communities with distinct cultural characteristics that echoed public attitudes towards the political projects underpinning them.

One of the key themes explored in Between Empire and Republic is the concept of imperialism and the influence of the British Empire on the development of Canada. The author argues that the British Empire's presence in the region shaped colonial Canadian identity and influenced their perceptions of the United States. The colonists were exposed to British political ideas and institutions, which had a profound impact on their understanding of governance and democracy.

At the same time, American ideas of republicanism and democratic self-government also played a significant role in shaping colonial Canadian perceptions. The colonists were influenced by the revolutionary movements that swept across the Atlantic world, and they sought to establish a government that reflected their values and aspirations. This led to debates and discussions about the nature of political power and the role of the individual in society.

The literary works of the period provide a rich source of evidence for these debates and discussions. Colonial authors such as Moodie, Haliburton, and Richardson depicted the struggles and triumphs of the colonists in their novels and essays. They portrayed the challenges faced by the settlers in establishing a new society and the complexities of navigating the political landscape.

Through their writings, colonial authors sought to articulate their vision of the future and to influence public opinion. They used literature as a means of promoting their political ideas and shaping the cultural identity of their communities. Moodie's novel "Roughing It in the Bush" is a notable example of this, as it portrays the struggles of a young woman who travels to Canada and establishes a homestead.

Haliburton's novel "The Last of the Mohicans" is another example, as it explores the conflict between the British colonists and the Native American tribes in the region. The novel portrays the Native Americans as noble and heroic, while the colonists are portrayed as ruthless and exploitative.

Richardson's novel "Walden" is perhaps the most famous example of this period, as it explores the themes of individualism, self-reliance, and the connection between man and nature. The novel portrays the life of a man who retreats to a remote cabin in the woods to live a simple and self-sufficient life.

In conclusion, Between Empire and Republic is a valuable contribution to the study of Canadian history and literature. It provides a rich insight into the political discourse of the period and the ways in which colonial Canadians imagined the future of their communities in North America. The book explores the complex relationship between British imperialism, American republicanism, and the development of settler-colonial communities in Canada. Through the literary works of the period, the author demonstrates how political ideas filtered into the literary output and shaped the cultural identity of colonial Canadians.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 228 x 159 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793635525