gpatrickobrien.bsky.social
Historian and Assistant Teaching Professor. Tweeting my own thoughts on loyalism, refugee women in Nova Scotia c.1780, and college basketball.
ut.academia.edu/GPatrickOBrien
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To the first part of this statement: maybe globally in recent history. However, calls in the US to annex Canada have ALWAYS been far from sophisticated, built solely on the idea of manifest destiny and that unification is inevitable. It has never worked, of course, and will not this time either.
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More on birthright citizenship being MUCH older than the 14th Amendment:
I'm not an "originalist." But for those who are, it would be pretty hard to argue with Hamilton, who wrote to his friend in early 1802, "You, friend Morris, are by birth a native of this Country but by genius an exotic."
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"As she is not a Native of the States, she may I suppose come and reside amongst you as well as any other Foreigner, so that no difficulty will arise on that Account."
The letter writer, and others of the late 18th century, clearly recognized that being born on US soil made someone a citizen.
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I run a Reacting to the Past simulation focusing on the Revolution in New York City. The Loyalists often make the best arguments, but as in you experience, they NEVER win! I would love to run a simulation at a Canadian university and compare the discussions and outcomes.
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Yes, I suppose it would be better to say that I'm using The Patriot clip ironically. But I agree with you on the diaries. My scholarship focuses on the Robie family from Marblehead who relocates to Salem after they return, so I know exactly what you mean. Those are powerful.
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Perhaps! But isn't The Patriot a perfect example of how Americans have misunderstood the Loyalists? Plus, the quote was too perfect.
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Thanks, Patrick, and great work on the journal as a whole. I've greatly enjoyed every article that's been published. I've already bookmarked them for when I teach my Revolution class next academic year!