Newfoundland to join the colonies in the ARW

I have a plan to lead Nova Scotia in to join the colonials, but also wanted newfoundland to join in.
 

TFSmith121

Banned
It would be fairly short-lived; even if the politics were

What would be needed for Newfoundland to join the colonial side in ARW?

It would be fairly short-lived; even if the politics were such that the Newfoundlanders sought common cause with the American rebels, the smallest US state in 1790 (first US census) was Delaware, with almost 60,000 people. In 1785, the population of Newfoundland is estimated at 10,244, according to Statscan.

Newfoundland is also heavily dependent on the sea for transportation and trade in this era (as it remains today); pretty difficult for them to sustain independence in the face of British sea power. It is, after all, an island (more or less).

It's worth noting how tiny the population of what was (at the time) British North America; the US had ~4 million people in 1790; Canada didn't hit that until 1876, almost a century later and a decade after confederation and dominion status. The US population in 1870 was 38.5 million, and more than 50 million in 1880.

The most populous Canadian province in 2010 had fewer people than multiple US states.

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The most populous Canadian province in 2010 had fewer people than 13 US states.

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I think you're looking at the second-most populous province (Québec) and not the most (Ontario). There are only four U.S. states more populous than Ontario.
 

TFSmith121

Banned
You are correct; read the wrong line.

I think you're looking at the second-most populous province (Québec) and not the most (Ontario). There are only four U.S. states more populous than Ontario.

Thanks. You are correct; read the wrong line. The point still stands; it's a small country and always has been.

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What would be needed for Newfoundland to join the colonial side in ARW?

A lot more than what you'd think, and just taking Halifax is not enough. TFSmith121 hit some of the main points, but it also requires conditions to be almost perfect. The reason for that is because thanks to the Treaty of Utrecht, part of Newfoundland's coastline was reserved to the French to allow the maintenance of their fishing industry - the French Shore (which had long been an irritant throughout 19th century Newfoundland history). Also, at that point in time, Newfoundland was also governed differently from the rest of North America, as it was under the direct jurisdiction of the Admiralty as well as economically dependent on the UK through the West Country fish merchants. OTL provides the best example of what Newfoundland's reaction is going to be, even if it sinks the economy. Not only would Britain not give it up; neither would the locals let it, particularly once France gets involved. The loss of Halifax would make Britain depend even more on The Rock than OTL.

In effect, as far as I can tell there's no way Newfoundland could join the rebel side in the ARW. It's too far away, too insignificant in the eyes of the rebels, would be worthless in the long run without the fisheries, and too much trouble. A poignant example - during one of the wars where Newfoundland had the unfortunate distinction of being a battlefield, the French army under M. d'Iberville tried to conquer Newfoundland from the British. However, the residents of the outport settlement of Carbonear managed to defeat the French, by simply moving the entire settlement across the bay to an island that was largely impenetrable rock and easily defensible. (Some believe that locals learned their craft from a notorious pirate named Peter Easton, who was active 'round these parts.) The French tried to force the outport to surrender, but thanks to all sorts of tricks the locals put on them M. d'Iberville was forced to give up and retreat. Never underestimate the ingenuity of locals to confound all sorts of authority, particularly when that authority is their own. :p It would not work to any American advantage, that's for sure.
 
Thanks. You are correct; read the wrong line. The point still stands; it's a small country and always has been.

Best,

It is strange to consider that 60% of Canada's population lives in two provinces. The rest of the country has less than 14 million residents.
 

TFSmith121

Banned
Yep; in a lot of ways, it mirrors Australia and Argentina

It is strange to consider that 60% of Canada's population lives in two provinces. The rest of the country has less than 14 million residents.

Yep; in a lot of ways, it mirrors Australia and Argentina in having the population fairly concentrated, both in terms of a few cities/metropolitan areas and a couple of individual states/provinces.

Plenty of open space, of course.

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