American History Hit America's Invasion of Canada
Oct 6, 2025
Maj. Jonathan D. Bratten, a historian with the Maine Army National Guard specializing in Revolutionary War history, dives into the intriguing 1775 American invasion of Quebec. He sheds light on the ideologies behind wanting Canada as the 14th colony and the challenges Benedict Arnold faced during the treacherous wilderness march. Bratten navigates through military logistics, the disastrous Quebec assault, and the significant repercussions of the campaign, pondering how success might have altered the course of the war.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Why Canada Was Viewed As The 14th Colony
- Many American revolutionaries believed Quebec should become the 14th colony due to longstanding colonial conflicts with Canada.
- They saw 1775 as a unique window because British forces in North America were thin and reinforcements had not yet arrived.
Canada's Social Complexity Was Underestimated
- American planners underestimated Quebec's internal complexity and assumed French Canadians would uniformly support the rebellion.
- They failed to fully appreciate British settlers, class divisions, and local loyalties inside Canada.
Arnold's Backdoor Proposal
- Benedict Arnold presented his idea to Washington and was initially rebuffed from leading the main Champlain thrust.
- Arnold then proposed a backcountry route to Quebec and raised a volunteer force of roughly 1,200 men to exploit a perceived flank.
