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Originally Posted by Acajack
Was it really the fact that we were united (to varying degrees throughout the period) or was it rather that regardless of how we were structured, we were under the protective shield of the British Empire that prevented the Americans from swallowing us up?
Newfoundland didn't join Canada until 1949, and was even independent for a time, and the Americans never annexed them.
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If we're specifically talking about 1812, then I think being unified was a critical factor. People often forget that 1812 was probably the single most opportune moment for America to ever annex Canada. Napoleon was about to begin his disastrous march on Moscow, following which his retreat would mark the best opportunity for the British-led coalition to stop the continental menace for good (until next time). The amount of resources available to protect a fairly unprofitable, cold, forested wasteland were slim. The actual defense of Canada contained only a handful of British regulars, and many of the most famous victories in the early part of the war were won with the blood of Canadian militia and native allies. It wasn't really until The Battle of Lundy's Lane and the subsequent incursions into the American heartland (leading to the famous burning of the Whitehouse and Battle New Orleans) that Britain began to flex it's military muscle on the continent. I'm not sure on the exact numbers, but I've read that fewer than 10,000 British regulars were ever sent to North America, and the vast majority of those would've been after key defensive victories like Queenston Heights, Chateauguay, and Chrysler's Farm. The American army was in its infancy and faced leadership and logistical difficulties that allowed for Canada to barely hold up an adequate defense.
After 1814 the opportunity had passed the Americans for good. Following the Battle of Waterloo, Britain's global dominance would not be challenged for nearly 100 years. At that point falling under the umbrella of the British Empire was as close to a guarantee of security against a foreign power as a country/colony could have. The American army would not be truly competitive with a European power until the end of the Civil War, but even then, a land incursion into Canada would likely guarantee the full weight of the British navy thrown against the Eastern Seaboard. The U.S. navy wouldn't compete with the British until after World War 1, at which point annexation of a budding ally and relatively developed nation would be unsavory to say the least.