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Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation
Blood and Daring will change our views not just of Canada's relationship with the United States, but of the Civil War, Confederation and Canada itself.
In Blood and Daring , lauded historian John Boyko makes a compelling argument that Confederation occurred when and as it did largely because of the pressures of the Civil War. Many readers will be shocked by Canada's deep connection to the war--Canadians fought in every major battle, supplied arms to the South, and many key Confederate meetings took place on Canadian soil. Boyko gives Americans a new understanding of the North American context of the war, and also shows how the political climate of the time created a more unified Canada, one that was able to successfully oppose American expansion.
Filled with engaging stories and astonishing facts from previously unaccessed primary sources, Boyko's fascinating new interpretation of the war will appeal to all readers of history. Blood and Daring will change our views not just of Canada's relationship with the United States, but of Confederation itself.
In Blood and Daring , lauded historian John Boyko makes a compelling argument that Confederation occurred when and as it did largely because of the pressures of the Civil War. Many readers will be shocked by Canada's deep connection to the war--Canadians fought in every major battle, supplied arms to the South, and many key Confederate meetings took place on Canadian soil. Boyko gives Americans a new understanding of the North American context of the war, and also shows how the political climate of the time created a more unified Canada, one that was able to successfully oppose American expansion.
Filled with engaging stories and astonishing facts from previously unaccessed primary sources, Boyko's fascinating new interpretation of the war will appeal to all readers of history. Blood and Daring will change our views not just of Canada's relationship with the United States, but of Confederation itself.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
19 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
John Boyko
11 books23 followersMy 8th book, The Devil's Trick: How Canada Fought the Vietnam War, will be published by Knopf Penguin Random House in Canada and the US on April 13, 2021. It explores the largely unknown ways in which Canada was involved in the war and changed by it.
Sir John's Echo: The Voice for a Stronger Canada, was released by Dundurn Press in 2017.
Cold Fire: Kennedy's Northern Front, was published by Knopf Penguin Random House in Canada and the US in 2016. It was short-listed for the Dafoe Prize for Non-Fiction.
Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation was published in 2013. It was a national bestseller and chosen as one of the Globe and Mail's Best Books of the year. It was shortlisted for a Governor General's award for its translation into French.
My other books include Bennett: The Rebel Who Challenged and Changed a Nation, Into the Hurricane: Attacking CCF and Socialism in Canada, and Last Steps to Freedom: The Evolution of Canadian Racism.
I enjoy writing my Monday morning blog (johnboyko.com) and I also write op-eds for newspapers across Canada and entries for the Canadian Encyclopedia.
Sir John's Echo: The Voice for a Stronger Canada, was released by Dundurn Press in 2017.
Cold Fire: Kennedy's Northern Front, was published by Knopf Penguin Random House in Canada and the US in 2016. It was short-listed for the Dafoe Prize for Non-Fiction.
Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation was published in 2013. It was a national bestseller and chosen as one of the Globe and Mail's Best Books of the year. It was shortlisted for a Governor General's award for its translation into French.
My other books include Bennett: The Rebel Who Challenged and Changed a Nation, Into the Hurricane: Attacking CCF and Socialism in Canada, and Last Steps to Freedom: The Evolution of Canadian Racism.
I enjoy writing my Monday morning blog (johnboyko.com) and I also write op-eds for newspapers across Canada and entries for the Canadian Encyclopedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 29, 2021
Ok sooo the author breezed through the assassination. He left out a ton of details. My guess is that happened because that’s not exactly an event important to the topic? Saying that I had zero clue Canada was that freaked out and that a war with England was even a possibility.
August 14, 2018
It's a good read, and the connection to Confederation was interesting. Just something was off. I'm sorry, I can't quite put my finger on it. The chapter on Seward was very interesting, but it somewhat slows down half way though.
August 12, 2013
The American Civil War tore apart a country. Secession in the South sought to establish a new nation where life could be lived in the fashion people were used to- with the foundation of slavery underpinning everything. Union Northerners refused to allow the country to fall apart, and for more than four years, Americans went to war against each other, killing each other in large numbers over the issues of race, freedom, the nation, and what kind of future they would all have. By war’s end, the country was reunited, slavery was abolished, and state’s rights, one of the underlying issues that had contributed to the war, gave way to a more unified sense of Americans about themselves. Yet two countries did rise out of the aftermath of that war.
Blood And Daring: How Canada Fought The American Civil War And Forged A Nation is a new book by historian John Boyko, weaving the tale of the Civil War and that of the birth of Canada. The war influenced Canada- and Canada influenced the war- in ways that most people overlook, and this book sheds light on a side of the war that needs to be told. I have read earlier books that go through some of this material; Claire Hoy wrote an insightful book several years ago called Canadians In The Civil War. This book delves into the same territory but offers new insights.
The author tells the story of the war and the parallels of what was going on across the border before, during, and after those years. The British North American possessions- Canada East and West, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland- had been given chances to form a more cohesive union going back a decade or more before the war; officials in Britain were distracted by events in Europe and wondered if it was worthwhile to hold onto their Canadian possessions. American leaders looked north as well as west, believing in the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, that all of North America should be theirs. Abolitionists brought slaves north into Canada, to safety and freedom, away from the slave hunters, to the far end of the Underground Railroad. Southern aristocratic families vacationed in Canada in the summers, escaping the heat from their home states, forming friendships in towns along the way. And colonial leaders were divided among themselves.
Boyko uses six people from the era as cornerstones to tell his story. John Anderson, a fugitive slave who settled in Canada after his flight to freedom found himself at the core of a court case, pursued by American officials for killing a white man during his escape. The case made headlines around the world; had Canadian courts ruled for deportation, it would bring an end to the safety of the Underground Railroad, potentially allowing any white slave holder to demand the return of a free man from Canadian soil. Through Anderson and people like him, who saw Canada as a place free of bounty hunters, this part of the story, so integral to the war that followed, is told. Boyko stresses the anger felt by many in the South towards Canada for harbouring what they viewed as personal property, and the influence that had in increasing the tensions between North and South.
William Seward, the fiery Secretary of State under Lincoln, is a presence through the book. His intention early on to try to provoke a war with Britain, in the expectation that the South would rally around the flag, is explored. Like other politicians in the North, Seward was a fervent believer in Manifest Destiny, seeking ways either through bluffing, intimidation, or negotiation, to take Canada and make it American. This was a belief he held before and after the war, and I can only imagine the personal frustration he must have felt to end up getting so outmanoeuvred, in the end, by a man on the other side of the border.
Sarah Emma Edmonds is a lesser known figure, and yet it makes her all the more compelling in the narrative. Here we have a young Canadian woman who, through circumstances, began to pass herself off as a man, making a living on both sides of the border. When the Civil War began, she joined the Union Army, serving variously as a nurse, soldier, and spy, seeing action while passing herself off as male. She survived the war, serving both as her male alter ego and as herself later on, one of a number of women doing the same who saw frontline combat. Her story is woven in with that of other soldiers. It’s estimated that anywhere from twenty to fifty thousand Canadians served in the War, the vast majority of them in the Union Army; Boyko settles on a total of forty thousand. This was despite the fact that the British were officially neutral. Some served out of principle, while others were co-opted in by unscrupulous recruiting brokers who got them drunk and ended up putting them in a uniform. Canadian boys served all over; Boyko makes note of their presence in the 20th Maine on Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg. Twenty nine Canadians would win the Congressional Medal of Honour. A Canadian was among the honour guard outside the McLean home when Grant and Lee came to terms at Appomattox. And a Canadian, Lieutenant Edward Doherty, who had moved south in 1860, was the cavalry officer in charge of the troops who ran John Wilkes Booth to ground. Boyko vividly brings the story of the soldier to life in his narrative, exploring how young Canadian men violated the terms of neutrality and served through the Civil War.
During the war, Canada served as a breeding ground of Confederate plots, and into this, Boyko brings us Jacob Thompson. Once a Secretary of the Interior for the US government, he became Jefferson Davis’ point man in establishing a second front, operating from Toronto and Montreal, dispatching spies and irregular operations across the border. Coupled with the fact that arms were shipped to the Confederacy from Canadian sources (including a foundry not far from my childhood home) and that Confederate ships found safe harbour in some Canadian ports, there was some sympathy for Confederates- even while other Canadians were fervent abolitionists. Thompson stepped into all of this, operating a shadowy network of spies and saboteurs, conceiving with his cohorts a series of plots directed at destabilizing the Union, conferring with Copperhead politicians who felt that the war served little purpose. Thompson’s operations were a thorn in the side for the Union at a time when Lincoln was occupied with the war, increasing tensions on both sides of the border. It gave fuel to the annexation agenda, to the idea that Canada was the source of trouble for the Union, particularly given the two faced response from colonial officials and the British.
Boyko’s last two keystone figures are tied together, as fathers of Confederation and political rivals who had to work together to forge a country through these years. George Brown looms large in Canadian history. A politician and reporter who founded the Globe (still around today as the Globe and Mail), Brown had already served in a number of capacities in the colonial administration before the War. As a politician and as a journalist, he argued the case that to prevent themselves from being swallowed up by America, Canadians would have to forge an identity, a country, for themselves. And looking at what was happening south of the border, he saw the need for a strong central government clearly from the fact that state’s rights had been such a strong factor in triggering the war.
John A. Macdonald looms over the entire book. From the 1850s on, Macdonald was the strongest voice in colonial politics, in a variety of posts. He was something of a rascal (and a drunkard), but also a fiercely principled man and a masterful politician. As the war came, Macdonald understood that the only way to stand up against a strong Union during and afterwards would be as a united front. Like Lincoln, he concealed his wisdom behind a front of sorts- for Lincoln it was the homespun storytelling, for Macdonald, it was the drinking, which served its own purpose. He was the driving force behind Confederation, negotiating the terms of what would become a country in its own right. And he was a leader who could keep a calm head in a crisis- through the tensions of those four years and the Fenian Raids that followed, the efforts of Irish-American veterans to invade and use Canada to force Britain to let go of Ireland. We see the resourceful and ingenious Macdonald who completely checkmated Seward by purchasing and securing the whole of what is today the Canadian west and north for a pittance, bringing an end to the dream of annexation. And we see the Macdonald who- during the Treaty of Washington negotiations that would wrap up fallout of the war for America, Britain, and Canada- would stand his ground on everything, securing the future of his country.
Boyko ends up giving us an insightful book that explores in depth the complex story of the Civil War on both sides of the border. Canada rose up from that conflict, played a part in many ways. It was a time of deep tension between neighbours, when backstabbing and mutual suspicion seemed to be the order of the day. The Civil War made Confederation a necessity, driving colonial leaders with vastly different concerns to accept that survival meant joining together, and played a big part in shaping the national character. Its aftermath became the foundation for where the country would go, and the way it would relate to America in the years that followed. Blood and Daring is a well written book that offers a fresh look at both countries, and a worthy addition to the story of the Civil War. Readers from both sides of the border will come away enlightened.
Blood And Daring: How Canada Fought The American Civil War And Forged A Nation is a new book by historian John Boyko, weaving the tale of the Civil War and that of the birth of Canada. The war influenced Canada- and Canada influenced the war- in ways that most people overlook, and this book sheds light on a side of the war that needs to be told. I have read earlier books that go through some of this material; Claire Hoy wrote an insightful book several years ago called Canadians In The Civil War. This book delves into the same territory but offers new insights.
The author tells the story of the war and the parallels of what was going on across the border before, during, and after those years. The British North American possessions- Canada East and West, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland- had been given chances to form a more cohesive union going back a decade or more before the war; officials in Britain were distracted by events in Europe and wondered if it was worthwhile to hold onto their Canadian possessions. American leaders looked north as well as west, believing in the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, that all of North America should be theirs. Abolitionists brought slaves north into Canada, to safety and freedom, away from the slave hunters, to the far end of the Underground Railroad. Southern aristocratic families vacationed in Canada in the summers, escaping the heat from their home states, forming friendships in towns along the way. And colonial leaders were divided among themselves.
Boyko uses six people from the era as cornerstones to tell his story. John Anderson, a fugitive slave who settled in Canada after his flight to freedom found himself at the core of a court case, pursued by American officials for killing a white man during his escape. The case made headlines around the world; had Canadian courts ruled for deportation, it would bring an end to the safety of the Underground Railroad, potentially allowing any white slave holder to demand the return of a free man from Canadian soil. Through Anderson and people like him, who saw Canada as a place free of bounty hunters, this part of the story, so integral to the war that followed, is told. Boyko stresses the anger felt by many in the South towards Canada for harbouring what they viewed as personal property, and the influence that had in increasing the tensions between North and South.
William Seward, the fiery Secretary of State under Lincoln, is a presence through the book. His intention early on to try to provoke a war with Britain, in the expectation that the South would rally around the flag, is explored. Like other politicians in the North, Seward was a fervent believer in Manifest Destiny, seeking ways either through bluffing, intimidation, or negotiation, to take Canada and make it American. This was a belief he held before and after the war, and I can only imagine the personal frustration he must have felt to end up getting so outmanoeuvred, in the end, by a man on the other side of the border.
Sarah Emma Edmonds is a lesser known figure, and yet it makes her all the more compelling in the narrative. Here we have a young Canadian woman who, through circumstances, began to pass herself off as a man, making a living on both sides of the border. When the Civil War began, she joined the Union Army, serving variously as a nurse, soldier, and spy, seeing action while passing herself off as male. She survived the war, serving both as her male alter ego and as herself later on, one of a number of women doing the same who saw frontline combat. Her story is woven in with that of other soldiers. It’s estimated that anywhere from twenty to fifty thousand Canadians served in the War, the vast majority of them in the Union Army; Boyko settles on a total of forty thousand. This was despite the fact that the British were officially neutral. Some served out of principle, while others were co-opted in by unscrupulous recruiting brokers who got them drunk and ended up putting them in a uniform. Canadian boys served all over; Boyko makes note of their presence in the 20th Maine on Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg. Twenty nine Canadians would win the Congressional Medal of Honour. A Canadian was among the honour guard outside the McLean home when Grant and Lee came to terms at Appomattox. And a Canadian, Lieutenant Edward Doherty, who had moved south in 1860, was the cavalry officer in charge of the troops who ran John Wilkes Booth to ground. Boyko vividly brings the story of the soldier to life in his narrative, exploring how young Canadian men violated the terms of neutrality and served through the Civil War.
During the war, Canada served as a breeding ground of Confederate plots, and into this, Boyko brings us Jacob Thompson. Once a Secretary of the Interior for the US government, he became Jefferson Davis’ point man in establishing a second front, operating from Toronto and Montreal, dispatching spies and irregular operations across the border. Coupled with the fact that arms were shipped to the Confederacy from Canadian sources (including a foundry not far from my childhood home) and that Confederate ships found safe harbour in some Canadian ports, there was some sympathy for Confederates- even while other Canadians were fervent abolitionists. Thompson stepped into all of this, operating a shadowy network of spies and saboteurs, conceiving with his cohorts a series of plots directed at destabilizing the Union, conferring with Copperhead politicians who felt that the war served little purpose. Thompson’s operations were a thorn in the side for the Union at a time when Lincoln was occupied with the war, increasing tensions on both sides of the border. It gave fuel to the annexation agenda, to the idea that Canada was the source of trouble for the Union, particularly given the two faced response from colonial officials and the British.
Boyko’s last two keystone figures are tied together, as fathers of Confederation and political rivals who had to work together to forge a country through these years. George Brown looms large in Canadian history. A politician and reporter who founded the Globe (still around today as the Globe and Mail), Brown had already served in a number of capacities in the colonial administration before the War. As a politician and as a journalist, he argued the case that to prevent themselves from being swallowed up by America, Canadians would have to forge an identity, a country, for themselves. And looking at what was happening south of the border, he saw the need for a strong central government clearly from the fact that state’s rights had been such a strong factor in triggering the war.
John A. Macdonald looms over the entire book. From the 1850s on, Macdonald was the strongest voice in colonial politics, in a variety of posts. He was something of a rascal (and a drunkard), but also a fiercely principled man and a masterful politician. As the war came, Macdonald understood that the only way to stand up against a strong Union during and afterwards would be as a united front. Like Lincoln, he concealed his wisdom behind a front of sorts- for Lincoln it was the homespun storytelling, for Macdonald, it was the drinking, which served its own purpose. He was the driving force behind Confederation, negotiating the terms of what would become a country in its own right. And he was a leader who could keep a calm head in a crisis- through the tensions of those four years and the Fenian Raids that followed, the efforts of Irish-American veterans to invade and use Canada to force Britain to let go of Ireland. We see the resourceful and ingenious Macdonald who completely checkmated Seward by purchasing and securing the whole of what is today the Canadian west and north for a pittance, bringing an end to the dream of annexation. And we see the Macdonald who- during the Treaty of Washington negotiations that would wrap up fallout of the war for America, Britain, and Canada- would stand his ground on everything, securing the future of his country.
Boyko ends up giving us an insightful book that explores in depth the complex story of the Civil War on both sides of the border. Canada rose up from that conflict, played a part in many ways. It was a time of deep tension between neighbours, when backstabbing and mutual suspicion seemed to be the order of the day. The Civil War made Confederation a necessity, driving colonial leaders with vastly different concerns to accept that survival meant joining together, and played a big part in shaping the national character. Its aftermath became the foundation for where the country would go, and the way it would relate to America in the years that followed. Blood and Daring is a well written book that offers a fresh look at both countries, and a worthy addition to the story of the Civil War. Readers from both sides of the border will come away enlightened.
October 10, 2013
The origins of Confederation are normally ascribed to several factors; political deadlock, British desire to be less responsible for colonial defense, a need for railroads, inter-colonial trade, and finally fear of the US. Boyko takes the latter cause as his central focus to the neglect of the others. Not to say he completely ignores them, but his focus is the US, the Civil War and the threat it represented to Canada.
Boyko focuses on five individuals creating almost five separate books. From runaway slaves to Canadian soldiers to politicians, a diverse look at the Civil War and Canadian involvement is given. He gives us a vast trove of information and weaves the connections together in a fresh and interesting manner. However, as he gets closer to Confederation he falls into typical Canadian history -- a detailed description of each conference. A reminder why grade 8s find Canadian history boring.
Boyko focuses on five individuals creating almost five separate books. From runaway slaves to Canadian soldiers to politicians, a diverse look at the Civil War and Canadian involvement is given. He gives us a vast trove of information and weaves the connections together in a fresh and interesting manner. However, as he gets closer to Confederation he falls into typical Canadian history -- a detailed description of each conference. A reminder why grade 8s find Canadian history boring.
October 31, 2013
It's been often said that Canadian history is boring.
I disagree. Canada's history is rich, vibrant and fascinating. Blood and Daring, John Boyko's engrossing history of Canadian-American relations during the Civil War is a case in point.
The book is a gold mine of facts not well-known. For example, we learn many Canadians supported the Confederacy and not Lincoln's United States. Confederate spies operated freely in Canada and, shockingly, plotted Lincoln's assassination from there.
Boyko also chronicles the fascinating struggle of John A. Macdonald to stave off persistent annexation claims by the U.S. government led by Secretary of State Seward.
Hundreds of Canadians fought for both sides, including 39 individuals who won the Congressional Medal of Honour.
This book is a must for Civil War history buffs and those who want to learn more about a critical path in Canadian history.
I disagree. Canada's history is rich, vibrant and fascinating. Blood and Daring, John Boyko's engrossing history of Canadian-American relations during the Civil War is a case in point.
The book is a gold mine of facts not well-known. For example, we learn many Canadians supported the Confederacy and not Lincoln's United States. Confederate spies operated freely in Canada and, shockingly, plotted Lincoln's assassination from there.
Boyko also chronicles the fascinating struggle of John A. Macdonald to stave off persistent annexation claims by the U.S. government led by Secretary of State Seward.
Hundreds of Canadians fought for both sides, including 39 individuals who won the Congressional Medal of Honour.
This book is a must for Civil War history buffs and those who want to learn more about a critical path in Canadian history.
January 4, 2015
This book answers a number of questions for me around the birth of Canada. Why was Canada not a republic like the americans? Mostly, that model was seen as a failure at the time and the civil war held up as proof of that failure. Why is Alaska not part of Canada (Or Russia)? Is being anti-american part of being canadian?
The book was full of interesting information although the writing was somewhat confusing at times.
i always thought that Canada was not born out of war but it seems I was mistaken. The book provides a convincing view that the american civil war provided the sense of urgency to give confederation the push it needed. The americans, led by Lincoln's secretary of state Seward, kept the pressure for the eventual annexation of the British colonies for a great north-american republic. From a timing perspective, the other key ingredient in the mid 1800s was the British who were becoming pre-occupied by a growing german power and a number of influential Brits that wanted to redirect resources away from the colonies and were inward looking.
An interesting part for me was that the British north american act was written by Canadians and there was no amendments imposed by the brits when the bill became law and signed by Queen Victoria.
After the civil war, the americans (Seward) pushed hard to exchange Canada for penalties against the British for their role in providing warships to the confederates during the war - even though the British had promised to be neutral. These negotiations ended with a lot of positives for Canada and all due to the John A. As part of the Washington Treaty, it had ended civil war irritants, established canada as a fact and rendered its borders safer - the treaty also gave Canada $5.5 million for ten years of inland fisheries during the war, elimination of duties on canadian goods, Britain's promise to come to canada's aid in the event of another invasion. All of this when the negotiations started with the americans demanding canada for reparations for the British helping the south during war. John A was the only delegate for Canada (5 americans, 4 british) and he obviously did a masterful job.
It always puzzled me why the Americans have Alaska. The Russians sold it to the Americans (Seward) for $7 million march 29, 1867 - the day Queen Victoria signed the BNA. This was done by Seward as part of an overall strategy to annex Canada starting by British Columbia and that was how it was sold to the american senate although their was a lot of push-back to what became known as "Seward's Folly". The Americans and the Russians were actually allies at the time and saw Britain as competitors. They both wanted to see the British influence diminish in the American Pacific.
With the British's help and backing, in late 1868, Rupert's land was sold by the hudson bay to Canada for 300 thousand pounds - a very small amount. This extended from north Quebec/Ontario to the rockies and then up north to the arctic. This was a great accomplishment orchestrated by John A Macdonald and negotiated by Cartier and McDougall in London. In effect that cut the wind out of the american annexation. The last part of which was in 1869 when the British pressured the BC colony to become part of Canada in 1871- a lot of people in Vancouver were pro-american annexation; so, this wasn't obvious. John A promised them for Canada to take over their debt and trans-national railroad within 10 years.
The book itself is structured by following 6 people: 1) John Anderson (a black slave liberated in Canada and on trial in Toronto for killing his owner as part of his escape), 2) William Seward - Lincoln's secretary of state that pushed hard for his vision of a north american republic, 3) Sarah Emma Edmonds: a Canadian that was a nurse and spy for the union in the civil war (one of 50,000 Canadian/maritimes), 4) Jacob Thompson - a confederate leader that organized the south's distraction and attacks of the Union from Canada, 5) George Brown who pushed for the confederation idea when John A. didn't believe in it, and 6) John A. as the indispensable man who charmed and coaxed everyone to agree to confederation and completed the job that Galt and Brown started. This included getting new brunswick on board when they were backing away for some time (until the Fenians tried their invasions) and getting the legislation for the BNA signed in London and then getting the americans and British to agree to treat Canada as a country for the Washington treaty that ended the civil war irritants.
The book was full of interesting information although the writing was somewhat confusing at times.
i always thought that Canada was not born out of war but it seems I was mistaken. The book provides a convincing view that the american civil war provided the sense of urgency to give confederation the push it needed. The americans, led by Lincoln's secretary of state Seward, kept the pressure for the eventual annexation of the British colonies for a great north-american republic. From a timing perspective, the other key ingredient in the mid 1800s was the British who were becoming pre-occupied by a growing german power and a number of influential Brits that wanted to redirect resources away from the colonies and were inward looking.
An interesting part for me was that the British north american act was written by Canadians and there was no amendments imposed by the brits when the bill became law and signed by Queen Victoria.
After the civil war, the americans (Seward) pushed hard to exchange Canada for penalties against the British for their role in providing warships to the confederates during the war - even though the British had promised to be neutral. These negotiations ended with a lot of positives for Canada and all due to the John A. As part of the Washington Treaty, it had ended civil war irritants, established canada as a fact and rendered its borders safer - the treaty also gave Canada $5.5 million for ten years of inland fisheries during the war, elimination of duties on canadian goods, Britain's promise to come to canada's aid in the event of another invasion. All of this when the negotiations started with the americans demanding canada for reparations for the British helping the south during war. John A was the only delegate for Canada (5 americans, 4 british) and he obviously did a masterful job.
It always puzzled me why the Americans have Alaska. The Russians sold it to the Americans (Seward) for $7 million march 29, 1867 - the day Queen Victoria signed the BNA. This was done by Seward as part of an overall strategy to annex Canada starting by British Columbia and that was how it was sold to the american senate although their was a lot of push-back to what became known as "Seward's Folly". The Americans and the Russians were actually allies at the time and saw Britain as competitors. They both wanted to see the British influence diminish in the American Pacific.
With the British's help and backing, in late 1868, Rupert's land was sold by the hudson bay to Canada for 300 thousand pounds - a very small amount. This extended from north Quebec/Ontario to the rockies and then up north to the arctic. This was a great accomplishment orchestrated by John A Macdonald and negotiated by Cartier and McDougall in London. In effect that cut the wind out of the american annexation. The last part of which was in 1869 when the British pressured the BC colony to become part of Canada in 1871- a lot of people in Vancouver were pro-american annexation; so, this wasn't obvious. John A promised them for Canada to take over their debt and trans-national railroad within 10 years.
The book itself is structured by following 6 people: 1) John Anderson (a black slave liberated in Canada and on trial in Toronto for killing his owner as part of his escape), 2) William Seward - Lincoln's secretary of state that pushed hard for his vision of a north american republic, 3) Sarah Emma Edmonds: a Canadian that was a nurse and spy for the union in the civil war (one of 50,000 Canadian/maritimes), 4) Jacob Thompson - a confederate leader that organized the south's distraction and attacks of the Union from Canada, 5) George Brown who pushed for the confederation idea when John A. didn't believe in it, and 6) John A. as the indispensable man who charmed and coaxed everyone to agree to confederation and completed the job that Galt and Brown started. This included getting new brunswick on board when they were backing away for some time (until the Fenians tried their invasions) and getting the legislation for the BNA signed in London and then getting the americans and British to agree to treat Canada as a country for the Washington treaty that ended the civil war irritants.
April 15, 2015
What a totally sensational book! I am amazed at how much I didn't know about Canada's level of involvement in the U.S.'s Civil War, and how close we came to being part of the United States rather than our own sovereign nation as a result. Absolutely fascinating and engrossing start to finish!!
I am a little embarrassed at how much of the history detailed in this book I have absolutely no knowledge about. In my own defense, none of this was taught in the history classes at any of my schools. I am thrilled to have learned it now, as it makes me even prouder to be Canadian, for the way dear old John A. demonstrated one of the early examples of what would become Canada's signature behaviour in contentious situations - stand your ground and protect what's yours, but do it politely and without bloodshed as much as possible. Macdonald literally saved Canada from a deeply acquisitive USA using that approach.
This book is completely engaging, and is so interesting I had a hard time putting it down. I learned a ton about the Civil War, which is a particular interest, but also about how interconnected Canada and the U.S. were at the time, which led to a myriad of issues that threatened to lead to war and invasion by the Americans on more than one occasion. Having read this book, I am frankly astonished that Canada is today its own country, because we came REALLY close to be "annexed" by the U.S. during the aftermath of the Civil War. Who knew??!
The author is a marvelous writer, with an engaging and story-focused style that makes this book read like fiction even though it is well-researched history. The method of using an individual person to anchor each chapter and tell the stories of the U.S. and Canada during and after the Civil War makes the history that much easier for the reader to connect to. It also makes for a cracking good read!
If you are Canadian and proud of our country, you should read this book. If you are interested in the Civil War there's plenty here for you as well, whether your interest is American or Canadian. Unless you are a heavy history reader, I doubt you will be familiar with much of what went on in relation to Canada, and it's a heck of an entertaining education. Highly, highly recommended!
I am a little embarrassed at how much of the history detailed in this book I have absolutely no knowledge about. In my own defense, none of this was taught in the history classes at any of my schools. I am thrilled to have learned it now, as it makes me even prouder to be Canadian, for the way dear old John A. demonstrated one of the early examples of what would become Canada's signature behaviour in contentious situations - stand your ground and protect what's yours, but do it politely and without bloodshed as much as possible. Macdonald literally saved Canada from a deeply acquisitive USA using that approach.
This book is completely engaging, and is so interesting I had a hard time putting it down. I learned a ton about the Civil War, which is a particular interest, but also about how interconnected Canada and the U.S. were at the time, which led to a myriad of issues that threatened to lead to war and invasion by the Americans on more than one occasion. Having read this book, I am frankly astonished that Canada is today its own country, because we came REALLY close to be "annexed" by the U.S. during the aftermath of the Civil War. Who knew??!
The author is a marvelous writer, with an engaging and story-focused style that makes this book read like fiction even though it is well-researched history. The method of using an individual person to anchor each chapter and tell the stories of the U.S. and Canada during and after the Civil War makes the history that much easier for the reader to connect to. It also makes for a cracking good read!
If you are Canadian and proud of our country, you should read this book. If you are interested in the Civil War there's plenty here for you as well, whether your interest is American or Canadian. Unless you are a heavy history reader, I doubt you will be familiar with much of what went on in relation to Canada, and it's a heck of an entertaining education. Highly, highly recommended!
August 6, 2013
If you ever thought, "The Civil War's nice and all, but what did Canadians think about it?" look no further. In fact, the author argues that the Civil War helped prompt the creation of Canada as we know it today. Not only that, but there were Canadians in all different parts of the war itself, including Little Round Top and the hunt for John Wilkes Booth. The author also gives a strong overview of the tensions caused between the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain during the war. Today, Canada may seem like a quaint, charming little big place up that way, eh? But in 1861, Canadians and Americans still remembered the two previous attempts by a young United States to annex Canadian territories. Many Americans (from high to low places) still wanted Canada, and many Canadians (from high to low places) feared American ambitions. All in all, this was a fascinating look at a subject that I had, unfortunately, neglected.
July 14, 2015
That was great - a refreshing and new perspective on the American Civil War, and a thought-provoking study on Canadian Confederation. This is a popular history that gets deeper because it steps outside the common vantage point of the US politicians and military leaders. The Canadian viewpoint breathes fresh air on the subject and provides new insight about the causes of the Civil War.
September 20, 2013
Great book with lots of History on the American Civil War in relation to Canada i was not aware of. Makes me proud to be a Canadian.
September 16, 2023
The title makes it sound like Canada was a major player in the American Civil War. To be honest, Canada played a minor role in the Civil War. As usual in Canadian affairs, it was the Civil War that was itself epochal in its impact on Canada, while in return, Canada was at most an important secondary concern for both American sides.
Despite that the title may mislead a tiny bit, I really enjoyed this book, which is clearly written from a Canadian perspective and therefore, for Canadians. Canadians, insofar as we are educated in history of our country at all, learn absolutely nothing about the geopolitics of Canada during the Civil War. The best part for me was the geopolitics. Although I also enjoyed the stories of John Anderson and Sarah Emma Edmonds, these stories were somewhat peripheral to what I took as the main thrust of the book.
From American eyes a lost opportunity; from a Canadian perspective Americans always had their eyes on Canada. During the Revolution there was a concerted push to have Canada join as the fourteenth colony; the ardor being all one-sided to the chagrin of the Americans. At the outbreak of the Civil War, American expansionist ardor was not confined to the west. William H. Seward was a principal one of a cadre of influential political leaders who were frankly pushing for annexation of Canada, which at the time was divided into Upper and Lower, corresponding roughly to today’s Ontario and Quebec. The Maritime Provinces would also become U.S. states, in the views of expansionists who imagined the United States as engulfing all of North America.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the smart money was on a scenario like this: the North will crush the South quickly, and with little effort. Then, flush with victory, and with a vast, well-equipped, and battle-tested army, they will find a pretext to go to war with Britain and thus take over Canada.
The complicated course of the Civil War did not truly change the overall power dynamic. The lengthy struggle provided multiple irritants between Canada and the U.S. which threatened to devolve into armed confrontation which very likely would have ended with all or part of Canada absorbed. There were various raids and intrigues launched from Canada by CSS actors, notably Jacob Thompson, who attempted jailbreaks of Confederate soldiers.
In the aftermath of the war, America had a major grievance against Britain, who had allowed illegal construction of CSS warships, which in turn had done considerable damage to the Union cause and arguably prolonged the war. Seward’s position was straightforward: “give us Canada and we can solve the whole matter in ten minutes.” Fortunately (for Canada), John A. MacDonald was present as the head of the newly-forged Canadian confederation.
Despite that the title may mislead a tiny bit, I really enjoyed this book, which is clearly written from a Canadian perspective and therefore, for Canadians. Canadians, insofar as we are educated in history of our country at all, learn absolutely nothing about the geopolitics of Canada during the Civil War. The best part for me was the geopolitics. Although I also enjoyed the stories of John Anderson and Sarah Emma Edmonds, these stories were somewhat peripheral to what I took as the main thrust of the book.
From American eyes a lost opportunity; from a Canadian perspective Americans always had their eyes on Canada. During the Revolution there was a concerted push to have Canada join as the fourteenth colony; the ardor being all one-sided to the chagrin of the Americans. At the outbreak of the Civil War, American expansionist ardor was not confined to the west. William H. Seward was a principal one of a cadre of influential political leaders who were frankly pushing for annexation of Canada, which at the time was divided into Upper and Lower, corresponding roughly to today’s Ontario and Quebec. The Maritime Provinces would also become U.S. states, in the views of expansionists who imagined the United States as engulfing all of North America.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the smart money was on a scenario like this: the North will crush the South quickly, and with little effort. Then, flush with victory, and with a vast, well-equipped, and battle-tested army, they will find a pretext to go to war with Britain and thus take over Canada.
The complicated course of the Civil War did not truly change the overall power dynamic. The lengthy struggle provided multiple irritants between Canada and the U.S. which threatened to devolve into armed confrontation which very likely would have ended with all or part of Canada absorbed. There were various raids and intrigues launched from Canada by CSS actors, notably Jacob Thompson, who attempted jailbreaks of Confederate soldiers.
In the aftermath of the war, America had a major grievance against Britain, who had allowed illegal construction of CSS warships, which in turn had done considerable damage to the Union cause and arguably prolonged the war. Seward’s position was straightforward: “give us Canada and we can solve the whole matter in ten minutes.” Fortunately (for Canada), John A. MacDonald was present as the head of the newly-forged Canadian confederation.
November 21, 2017
I was aware that many Canadians went South to volunteer to fight in Vietnam creating a reverse migration to the draft dodgers. It had not occurred to me that thousands of citizens of then British North America fought on both sides of the War between the States. Newspapers were divided between the North and the South as was public opinion. Confederation was in part a reaction to American sentiment that saw annexation of the British Colonies that eventually became Canada. Ironically French Lower Canada preferred the accommodations granted by the British Governors of Canada to the lawlessness of the Americans. France, you may remember supported the revolting colonies in their fight against the British. Support for the South was in contradiction to Canada’s role as the Northern Terminus of the Underground Railroad.
This history of the war is told from the perspective of the involvement of 5 key figures but not in chronological order jumping back and forth to make the author's points often covering the same battles multiple times as seen from various points of view, battles having different names in North and South as in Bull Run and Manasses. As in all wars leaders made strategic errors that cost the lives of thousands of their men. As the war of attrition went on the means of finding replacements got more and more desperate. Recruitment drives involved signing bonuses and pay advances, drafts and conscription. Recruiters used unscrupulous means on both sides of the border and men of means were allowed to buy their way out of service.
The Fenians. Patriotism seems to be strongest among those who have left their homeland. Just look at the number of Newfoundland authors writing about home from Toronto. Thousands if not millions of Irish left home during the potato famine. There are now more Irish in New York City than in the whole of Ireland and St Paddies Day celebrations began there and not in Ireland. A second passion has been that of riddling Ireland of British rule and the Fenians in the US, the Hibernians in Canada sought means to support the struggle. The Fenians sought to use Irish Veterans of the Civil War to capture British North America and use it as a bargaining tool to liberate Ireland. Although there were a few skirmishes it was the threat more than actual incursions that was influential in promoting the idea of strength in Canadian Union in Confederation. My Maternal Grandfather in central Lunenburg County, NS, received Fenian Pay in return for his agreement to be vigilant and if called upon to fight in defense.
Twenty per cent of the book is taken up by footnotes.
This history of the war is told from the perspective of the involvement of 5 key figures but not in chronological order jumping back and forth to make the author's points often covering the same battles multiple times as seen from various points of view, battles having different names in North and South as in Bull Run and Manasses. As in all wars leaders made strategic errors that cost the lives of thousands of their men. As the war of attrition went on the means of finding replacements got more and more desperate. Recruitment drives involved signing bonuses and pay advances, drafts and conscription. Recruiters used unscrupulous means on both sides of the border and men of means were allowed to buy their way out of service.
The Fenians. Patriotism seems to be strongest among those who have left their homeland. Just look at the number of Newfoundland authors writing about home from Toronto. Thousands if not millions of Irish left home during the potato famine. There are now more Irish in New York City than in the whole of Ireland and St Paddies Day celebrations began there and not in Ireland. A second passion has been that of riddling Ireland of British rule and the Fenians in the US, the Hibernians in Canada sought means to support the struggle. The Fenians sought to use Irish Veterans of the Civil War to capture British North America and use it as a bargaining tool to liberate Ireland. Although there were a few skirmishes it was the threat more than actual incursions that was influential in promoting the idea of strength in Canadian Union in Confederation. My Maternal Grandfather in central Lunenburg County, NS, received Fenian Pay in return for his agreement to be vigilant and if called upon to fight in defense.
Twenty per cent of the book is taken up by footnotes.
September 4, 2017
What a great book! It truly explains well how the two nations of Canada and America were so joined and segregated at the same time. As America urged on with manifest destiny and Canada forged itself into a nation to avoid it, the similarities and political connections are incredibly interesting. Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation by John Boyko.
Reasons I Recommend:
1) The question of slavery and how it was viewed in North America during the Civil War - never as cut and dried as Confederates vs. The Rest; the border city skirmirshes that erupted with the Underground Railroad, slave hunters, and the underlying question of laws
2) Conspiracy theories of Lincoln assassination plots and terrorism coming from Canada; Fenians; and the great number of Canadians who fought in the American Civil War
And 3) What the Civil War was and what it represented and how it drove a budding nation to form together; to take a stand.
A really great book for anyone interested in Canadian history and in Civil War history. #bibliophile #booktoread #canada150 #canada #america #americancivilwar #bloodanddaringhowcanadafoughttheamericancivilwarandforgedanation #lincoln #macdonald #johnboyko #bookworm #briereads #history #canadianhistory #biography #goodreads #recommendedbybrie
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Reasons I Recommend:
1) The question of slavery and how it was viewed in North America during the Civil War - never as cut and dried as Confederates vs. The Rest; the border city skirmirshes that erupted with the Underground Railroad, slave hunters, and the underlying question of laws
2) Conspiracy theories of Lincoln assassination plots and terrorism coming from Canada; Fenians; and the great number of Canadians who fought in the American Civil War
And 3) What the Civil War was and what it represented and how it drove a budding nation to form together; to take a stand.
A really great book for anyone interested in Canadian history and in Civil War history. #bibliophile #booktoread #canada150 #canada #america #americancivilwar #bloodanddaringhowcanadafoughttheamericancivilwarandforgedanation #lincoln #macdonald #johnboyko #bookworm #briereads #history #canadianhistory #biography #goodreads #recommendedbybrie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 30, 2021
An interesting book with detailed descriptions of Confederate intrigue and political wrangling among the various North American UK colonies and the fledgling US, but “Canada” did not fight the American Civil War. Individual people from what is now Canada did fight in the war, but even calling them “Canadians” after the war ended and they permanently stayed in the US is incorrect - because by staying in the US they became American. “How modest. How Canadian.” Hardly.
The writing in first half of the book is well done but the last couple of chapters repeat information and feel tacked on. Several times detailed biographical information is given about politicians after they have already been talked about in previous chapters. This book needed a stronger editorial hand.
I would have liked to see more specific numbers about the Canadians who joined either side of the conflict, but then again that would have made it more of a book for scholars rather than appeal to the average Canadian reader.
The writing in first half of the book is well done but the last couple of chapters repeat information and feel tacked on. Several times detailed biographical information is given about politicians after they have already been talked about in previous chapters. This book needed a stronger editorial hand.
I would have liked to see more specific numbers about the Canadians who joined either side of the conflict, but then again that would have made it more of a book for scholars rather than appeal to the average Canadian reader.
October 30, 2017
Fascinating history of "Canada" (mainly East, West, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia at the time) during the US Civil War, this has two main themes: Canada's rather heavy involvement in the conflict and how the US' reaction to that fueled the cat-herding of the British North American (BNA) provinces into Confederation. The 3-way politics between Canada, the US and Britain had a number of serious twists and turns, and could have led to war with the US at many points, which likely would have meant that the US would have annexed us, as so many of their politicians and others desired. It is hard to blame the US, since Canada was crawling with Confederates at the time, planning all manner of plots against the Union. Many prominent politicians in Britain wanted to be rid of BNA, as we had become more expensive and troublesome than it was of any benefit to the mother country. This is an area of our history that I had not the first clue about. Very interesting read.
December 23, 2025
I started this book in high school and to finally have finished it almost makes me sad. This is a book I think about multiple times a year despite the fact that it’s taken me over a decade to finish.
This book was easy to read and honestly so relevant to present day Canadian-American relations. I also enjoyed how it didn’t shy away from Canada’s involvement in the American Civil War on the Confederate side, as I feel that’s a subject that rarely gets acknowledged in schools or in conversation on the topic.
Canadians have really been saying since the 1860s that we are not Americans and we do not want to be Americans and they just do not get it. I truly think this is a must read for Americans (and Europeans) who this year think any of the reactions Canadians have had to Trump have been “overblown”.
This book was easy to read and honestly so relevant to present day Canadian-American relations. I also enjoyed how it didn’t shy away from Canada’s involvement in the American Civil War on the Confederate side, as I feel that’s a subject that rarely gets acknowledged in schools or in conversation on the topic.
Canadians have really been saying since the 1860s that we are not Americans and we do not want to be Americans and they just do not get it. I truly think this is a must read for Americans (and Europeans) who this year think any of the reactions Canadians have had to Trump have been “overblown”.
July 1, 2024
This book is exceptional in covering Canada's part in the American Civil War and geopolitics of the time. In addition to that, it balances national histories with personal histories such as those of Sir John A. Macdonald and John Anderson, and covers the little-discussed topic of American political intent to invade Canada that was all-pervasive at the time. A unique viewpoint on Canadian Confederation, American annexationism, Union and Confederate spies and sympathisers north of the border, and more.
This book would get five stars from me if it had given any focus to Indigenous peoples, which the book lacks.
This book would get five stars from me if it had given any focus to Indigenous peoples, which the book lacks.
June 16, 2019
A part of the Civil War usually overlooked.
An aspect of the Civil War often overlooked - the role of Canada. And what a role! From Canada providing a safe haven for runaway slaves; Confederate intrigue, using the safety of Canada to plan raids into the Union and to secure military supplies; to John Wilkes Booth in Montreal; Secretary of State Seward’s ongoing quest to make Canada part of the United States; and finally, the negative influence of the perceived U.S. flaws that helped create the Country of Canada - what an enlightening and well written piece of history!
An aspect of the Civil War often overlooked - the role of Canada. And what a role! From Canada providing a safe haven for runaway slaves; Confederate intrigue, using the safety of Canada to plan raids into the Union and to secure military supplies; to John Wilkes Booth in Montreal; Secretary of State Seward’s ongoing quest to make Canada part of the United States; and finally, the negative influence of the perceived U.S. flaws that helped create the Country of Canada - what an enlightening and well written piece of history!
June 3, 2021
This was such a fascinating book to read. The research that went into it to make it such a readable history lesson was amazing.
It brought out how many Canadians were involved in the American Civil War in so many ways. The five or six chosen in this book were each a lesson in history.
Canadian history is not a dull story as the author explains.
This book is a great addition explaining this moment in history. The growth of one nation and the birth of another.
It brought out how many Canadians were involved in the American Civil War in so many ways. The five or six chosen in this book were each a lesson in history.
Canadian history is not a dull story as the author explains.
This book is a great addition explaining this moment in history. The growth of one nation and the birth of another.
November 12, 2021
If you like history and don't know much about how the American Civil war affected the birth of Canada, then you must read it. This is something I wish I had known earlier. It is well written with many stories of interesting Canadians and their part as soldiers for the Americans. The politics of the time, and the work required to bring all the provinces into Confederation makes me appreciate being a Canadian.
May 30, 2024
I loved the Canadian perspective of the book. I was never taught how Canada decided to become a country, it was a thing that happened in 1867. The book helped to put it context for me. World events can have an affect on how decisions are made. I also gained a lot more respect for Sir John A. as a politician after reading this. His views helped to shape Canada. He wasn't perfect but had a vision for a new country.
September 19, 2024
Boyko traces in great detail the "battles" between what became Canada and the United States. He notes the, perhaps surprising, support among many Canadians and Maritimers for the Confederate cause and the intrigues by Southern agitators who sought to distract and inflict damage on the northern states to help win the Civil War. Well-researched and well-written, Blood and Daring sheds light on Canada's creation and of it's relationship with it's nearest neighbour.
August 11, 2022
Finalement le Canada est créé par peur des États-Unis et par puritanisme britannique. Bravo aux États-Unis de pas en vouloir aux Canadiens d'avoir autant aidé les sudistes dans leur dos.
Cependant, l'histoire de Sarah Emma Edmonds devrait être connue de tous! Une femme incroyable!
Cependant, l'histoire de Sarah Emma Edmonds devrait être connue de tous! Une femme incroyable!
October 27, 2022
Tells the story of Canadian involvement in seven chapters roughly based on a people that had a role in Canada/US relations before and during the war. It was great in the beginning 2-3 chapters but got pretty bogged down by details by the end.
May 6, 2018
A fascinating and easy read. It is interesting to learn the extent to which Canada was involved in the Civil War. A must read for those who want to understand Canada's beginnings.
March 30, 2020
This was quite an eye opener for me. I did not realize that Canada played a role in the Civil war. I love Mr. Boyko's style of writing. Very effective..
March 11, 2021
I learned lots. A tad bit dull sometimes.
November 2, 2013
While many people are civil war buffs, I really don't know much about the conflict. I know the Confederate south wanted to secede, went to war, were winning that war for awhile until the defeat at Gettysburg and went on to lose to Grant's army.
I also had no idea on how effect the civil war had on Canada, until I read Blood and Daring by John Boyko.
Blood and Daring will change our views not just of Canada''s relationship with the United States, but of the Civil War, Confederation and Canada itself.
In Blood and Daring, lauded historian John Boyko makes a compelling argument that Confederation occurred when and as it did largely because of the pressures of the Civil War. Many readers will be shocked by Canada''s deep connection to the war--Canadians fought in every major battle, supplied arms to the South, and many key Confederate meetings took place on Canadian soil. Boyko gives Americans a new understanding of the North American context of the war, and also shows how the political climate of the time created a more unified Canada, one that was able to successfully oppose American expansion.
Filled with engaging stories and astonishing facts from previously unaccessed primary sources, Boyko''s fascinating new interpretation of the war will appeal to all readers of history. Blood and Daring will change our views not just of Canada''s relationship with the United States, but of Confederation itself.
Boyko is an interesting writer and manages to bring to life many stories about the war. I really enjoyed the book, learned a lot about the war itself and Canada's role in it. For instance I didn't realize how soon after Lincoln had been elected that the war started or that he was assassinated just days after the wars end. I had heard that Canadians went down and fought in the war, but was surprised that for a country with such a small population that 40,000 Canadians went south to fight. Even more surprising was that they fought for both sides.
One chapter is filled with stories of individuals that fought in the war. One of the most interesting was that of Sarah Emma Edmonds who disguised herself as a man, Franklin Thompson, and joined the Union army as first a nurse, then a spy. There are many more.
Canada was a hotbed of Confederate activity too, something I didn't know.
Finally, I was again surprised to learn how much Canada was coveted by the States. One of the reason that Confederation came about was the desires of the U.S. to take us over. Even after Confederation, the States tried to make a deal with Britain to give Canada to them as payment for selling warships to the Confederates which they called the Alabama claims.
For a civil war buff or somebody interested in Canadian history this is a must read. For everyone else, this is a very interesting and entertaining book!
I also had no idea on how effect the civil war had on Canada, until I read Blood and Daring by John Boyko.
Blood and Daring will change our views not just of Canada''s relationship with the United States, but of the Civil War, Confederation and Canada itself.
In Blood and Daring, lauded historian John Boyko makes a compelling argument that Confederation occurred when and as it did largely because of the pressures of the Civil War. Many readers will be shocked by Canada''s deep connection to the war--Canadians fought in every major battle, supplied arms to the South, and many key Confederate meetings took place on Canadian soil. Boyko gives Americans a new understanding of the North American context of the war, and also shows how the political climate of the time created a more unified Canada, one that was able to successfully oppose American expansion.
Filled with engaging stories and astonishing facts from previously unaccessed primary sources, Boyko''s fascinating new interpretation of the war will appeal to all readers of history. Blood and Daring will change our views not just of Canada''s relationship with the United States, but of Confederation itself.
Boyko is an interesting writer and manages to bring to life many stories about the war. I really enjoyed the book, learned a lot about the war itself and Canada's role in it. For instance I didn't realize how soon after Lincoln had been elected that the war started or that he was assassinated just days after the wars end. I had heard that Canadians went down and fought in the war, but was surprised that for a country with such a small population that 40,000 Canadians went south to fight. Even more surprising was that they fought for both sides.
One chapter is filled with stories of individuals that fought in the war. One of the most interesting was that of Sarah Emma Edmonds who disguised herself as a man, Franklin Thompson, and joined the Union army as first a nurse, then a spy. There are many more.
Canada was a hotbed of Confederate activity too, something I didn't know.
Finally, I was again surprised to learn how much Canada was coveted by the States. One of the reason that Confederation came about was the desires of the U.S. to take us over. Even after Confederation, the States tried to make a deal with Britain to give Canada to them as payment for selling warships to the Confederates which they called the Alabama claims.
For a civil war buff or somebody interested in Canadian history this is a must read. For everyone else, this is a very interesting and entertaining book!
September 25, 2014
If you're interested in the American Civil War or the birth of Canada as a nation, this is a fascinating and engagingly written book.
Much of the impetus for Canadian confederation came because of the desires of many Americans to either invade or peacefully annex Canada. In order to not become American in one way or another, many inhabitants of British North America thought it best to strengthen their position and confederate into the single country of Canada. The raids from the United States by the anti-British, pro-Irish, Fenians contributed to the very real fear of invasion.
The American appetite for expansion across all of North America (especially Seward's) fuelled some of the Canadian sympathy for the South — not because of a fondness for slavery, but because of an understanding of the perceived need to stand up to the increasing power of the United States. This sympathy extended to Canada becoming the home of some Southern refugees after the war, including Jefferson Davis. And if you think the extent of Canadian sympathy for the South was bad, just wait until you learn more about the British and how they supplied the South with arms, despite their official neutrality. Anti-Americanism was apparently a powerful force in the mid to late 1800s.
As a Brit, now living in Canada, with a fascination for the American Civil War, this book was a great read. :)
Much of the impetus for Canadian confederation came because of the desires of many Americans to either invade or peacefully annex Canada. In order to not become American in one way or another, many inhabitants of British North America thought it best to strengthen their position and confederate into the single country of Canada. The raids from the United States by the anti-British, pro-Irish, Fenians contributed to the very real fear of invasion.
The American appetite for expansion across all of North America (especially Seward's) fuelled some of the Canadian sympathy for the South — not because of a fondness for slavery, but because of an understanding of the perceived need to stand up to the increasing power of the United States. This sympathy extended to Canada becoming the home of some Southern refugees after the war, including Jefferson Davis. And if you think the extent of Canadian sympathy for the South was bad, just wait until you learn more about the British and how they supplied the South with arms, despite their official neutrality. Anti-Americanism was apparently a powerful force in the mid to late 1800s.
As a Brit, now living in Canada, with a fascination for the American Civil War, this book was a great read. :)
March 7, 2014
When I was in school, as a Canadian I learned about the push for Confederation. I also learned a little about the US Civil War. Neither part really stuck with me.
But I don't remember the two events being tied together as tightly as this book does. Mr Boyko uses the stories of six people (an American slave who came to Canada and was the focus of a law case, a Canadian woman who disguised herself as a man to join the Union army, US politician Seward who after the war bought Alaska for the US, the owner of the Canadian newspaper The Globe, a Confederate man who came to Canada to spy for the southern states, and, of course, Sir John A Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada).
I was a little shocked at some of the things that I learned in this book; the US attitude to Canada in particular. We all grew up in the era of Canada and the US being tightly bound together through economics and friendship. To read about the US government intentions to annex Canada, before, during, and after the Civil War was a little disturbing.
All in all, I found a lot here that is either glossed over or ignored in the history classes, and was a little shock at how close we came to just being US territory and not an independant country of our own.
But I don't remember the two events being tied together as tightly as this book does. Mr Boyko uses the stories of six people (an American slave who came to Canada and was the focus of a law case, a Canadian woman who disguised herself as a man to join the Union army, US politician Seward who after the war bought Alaska for the US, the owner of the Canadian newspaper The Globe, a Confederate man who came to Canada to spy for the southern states, and, of course, Sir John A Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada).
I was a little shocked at some of the things that I learned in this book; the US attitude to Canada in particular. We all grew up in the era of Canada and the US being tightly bound together through economics and friendship. To read about the US government intentions to annex Canada, before, during, and after the Civil War was a little disturbing.
All in all, I found a lot here that is either glossed over or ignored in the history classes, and was a little shock at how close we came to just being US territory and not an independant country of our own.
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