Canadians had no grievance against the United States that was worth risking war. Upper Canada welcomed American immigrants. Many families had relatives on both sides of the border. Pioneer societies in Upper Canada and western New York were very similar and linked by close social and economic ties. War with the United States would threaten these connections and expose emerging communities to invasion and destruction.
Geography and War
Upper and Lower Canada, 1812-15
CWM
War Fears
Bush Farm near Chatham, 1838
Watercolour by Philip Bainbrigge, 1838 Library and Archives Canada, 1983-047-21
A Mohawk Community
View of a Mohawk Indian Village
Watercolour by Sempronious Stretton, 1805 Library and Archives Canada, 1990-113-1