British North Americans were unsure about how they would fight off an American Invasion. British troops were busy fighting off Napoleon, in Europe. Very few men could be spared for Canada.
It was also a question of Loyalty.
Isaac Brock didn't know how many people would actually want to fight off the Americans. Ever since the American Revolution, many American settlers had moved north to Canada. These 'Late Loyalists' had formed a much bigger population that the trusty 'original Loyalists'. Nobody knew if the 'Late Loyalists' truly had appreciation, respect and strong feelings for Britain- instead it was suspected that the 'Late Loyalists' only came to upper Canada for the land. Some feared that the Late Loyalists would welcome the American Invasion!
Following the Invasion, some military members left British Forces. Several of the deserters joined the Americans, proving that the suspicion of disloyalty among Late Loyalists was too true.
By this time, the overall mood in upper Canada was pretty negative and depressing.
But not for the ever positive Isaac Brock.
Very little people thought that Upper Canada could ever be properly defended.
But my little happy- go -lucky friend here, Mr. Brock, refused to listen.
No comments:
Post a Comment