Separate Paths: Why Canada Rejected America’s Revolution
The Not Old - Better Show
Paul Vogelzang
5 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 30 June 2025
⏱️ 33 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
📚 What if Canada had become part of the United States?
In 1774, the Continental Congress sent heartfelt letters to Quebec—inviting Canadians to join the American Revolution. When the letters didn’t work, they tried something else: invasion.
Smithsonian Associate, author, historian, Ralph Nurnberger joins The Not Old Better Show in partnership with Smithsonian Associates to explain this little-known history. Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nurnberger will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates on August 21, 2025, and the title of his presentation is "One Border, Two Nations: U.S.–Canadian Relations, 1774–1816." From diplomatic missions with Benjamin Franklin to failed military campaigns in the Canadian snow, Ralph reveals how America’s northern dreams unraveled.
But this isn’t just a story about war—it’s about identity. While Americans were building a nation based on liberty and representation, Canadians were choosing something different: cultural preservation, religious freedom, and a path loyal to Britain.
The rejection wasn’t personal—it was defining. And it helped shape the two countries we know today.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://notold-better.com
🎙️ With Paul Vogelzang and guest Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nurnberger
#Leadership #History #CanadaUSRelations #SmithsonianAssociates #NotOldBetter #LifelongLearning
Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nurnberger will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates on August 21, 2025, and the title of his presentation is "One Border, Two Nations: U.S.–Canadian Relations, 1774–1816."
https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/u-s-canadian-relations-1774-1816
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast. |
| 0:11.0 | The show covering all things health, wellness, culture, and more. |
| 0:14.7 | The show for all of us who aren't old, were better. |
| 0:17.6 | Each week, we'll interview superstars, experts, and ordinary people, doing extraordinary |
| 0:22.9 | things, all related to this wonderful experience of getting better, not older. Now here's your host, |
| 0:29.5 | the award-winning Paul Vogelzang. Welcome to the Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast. |
| 0:40.0 | I'm Paul Vogelzang. |
| 0:41.4 | And as always, I'm honored. |
| 0:43.7 | You're spending time with us. |
| 0:45.6 | Thank you for that. |
| 0:46.7 | Today's episode takes us back to a time when history wasn't written yet. |
| 0:51.0 | It was unfolding. |
| 0:52.6 | It's 1774. The American colonies are fuming over British rule. |
| 0:58.0 | They're about to revolt, and they want their French-speaking neighbors to the north to join them. |
| 1:04.0 | But Canada had other ideas. |
| 1:07.0 | Even before the first shots rang out at Lexington and conquered, American revolutionaries were wooing the province of Quebec, sending letters, envoys, and yes, even invading armies. |
| 1:19.8 | They promised liberty, self-ruled, and a new nation built on rights and freedoms. |
| 1:25.8 | But Canada said no, politely, persistently, |
| 1:29.6 | and as we'll hear from our guest today, |
| 1:32.9 | Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nuremberger. |
| 1:36.2 | They said it quite powerfully. |
| 1:39.0 | Our guest today is Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nuremberger, |
... |
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