Plausibility Question: The Maritimes in US or New England

So a question that I've had in my mind for the past few days: whether OTL, the world of Decades of Darkness, or other TLs and adventures, what reasons would need to exist or what events would need to take place in order for the United Kingdom to give up the Maritimes, either to the United States or to an independent New England, such as in Decades of Darkness.
I had considered such a move in a TL of my own, and had considered having New English emigration focus on New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, similar to British movements of colonists into the region following the French and Indian War. Of course, that's not enough by itself to result in a change of possessions, and I can't simply see the British giving up a western Atlantic port city like Halifax. What else would it take - fear of a repeat of a American Revolution bog-down during a war with France? Perhaps the failure of Canadian confederation resulting in her fracture? Other suggestions?
 
Last edited:
Part of the reason is the big fort which looms over Halifax, the tour guides clam that having a British Army sitting there was there reason that NS remained British. they also claim that at that time in the province more that half of the population was from Massachusetts or there parents were.
I remember having to go to Maxwell pub just out side the fort and think about while trying as may of there 120 beers as possable.
 
Top