Annexationist Movement

The Annexationist Movement was an unsuccessful movement in British North America to join to the United States. Instead the alternative of Canadian Confederation was adopted.

In the mid-nineteenth century the British colonies in North America were suffering economically with little immigration. The repeal of the Corn Laws had cut the region off from its British links. A small but organized group supported integrating the colonies into the United States, which had a standing invitation for the colonies to join.

It was hoped a merger with the United States would give Canada markets for its goods, ensure national security, and provide the finances to develop the west. A half measure was the in 1854 Canadian-American Reciprocity Treaty that linked the two areas economically.

The leading organization advocating merger was the Annexation Association founded in 1849 by both francophone and anglophone supporters of republic. Many of its members were participants in the 1837-38 rebellions.

Annexation was never a very popular choice. Many Canadians were loyal to Britain, especially the descendents of the United Empire Loyalists. French Canadians worried about being an even smaller minority in a larger union, and were concerned about American anti-Catholicism. The American Civil War convinced many Canadians that the American experiment was a failure.

Since Confederation there have always been fringe movements advocating union, but never again any groups of any significant or influence.

See also: Manifest Destiny