As we all know, Rhode Island rejected the US Constitution several times, eventually declaring itself an independent Republic. When the United States under President Jefferson tried to annex Rhode Island in 1804, (which I've read on your typical conspiracy-theory websites was supposedly a ploy to get more support in the next elections) Rhode Island appealed to Britain for help. Britain promptly sent a large part of their army, which was instrumental in the foundation of the Confederation of New England, which proved to be one of Britain's closest allies up until the Second Great War in the 1950s.
But, what would have happened if Rhode Island had ratified the Constitution to begin with? I mean, it's obvious that in the short term, Britain won't have the opportunity to reclaim some of its North American territories, but could they try later, perhaps in the 1820s? Oh, and if Rhode Island ratifies the Constitution, is there still a possibility of it un-ratifying it later? I mean, if there ever was a hotbed of anti-Americanism, it's got to be Rhode Island.
Alternatively, what would happen if Britain was tied up in another struggle in 1804? Say, against France? The US would have obviously successfully annexed Rhode Island, but would they have been able to keep it, or would there have been too much resentment?
So, yeah... Thoughts? Comments? Questions?
But, what would have happened if Rhode Island had ratified the Constitution to begin with? I mean, it's obvious that in the short term, Britain won't have the opportunity to reclaim some of its North American territories, but could they try later, perhaps in the 1820s? Oh, and if Rhode Island ratifies the Constitution, is there still a possibility of it un-ratifying it later? I mean, if there ever was a hotbed of anti-Americanism, it's got to be Rhode Island.
Alternatively, what would happen if Britain was tied up in another struggle in 1804? Say, against France? The US would have obviously successfully annexed Rhode Island, but would they have been able to keep it, or would there have been too much resentment?
So, yeah... Thoughts? Comments? Questions?