The map of North America could have looked very different today.
Many U.S. states nearly flew the Canadian flag instead of the stars and stripes due to border fights, land deals, and political battles that happened long ago.
Maine:
Big toss-up on whether Maine should go with the "Americans" or the British... decision still up in the air!
Vermont:
Vermont existed as an independent republic from 1777 to 1791 and considered joining British North America. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys held discussions with British representatives about Vermont potentially becoming a Canadian province. Vermont officials negotiated with both nations to determine the most beneficial arrangement. The territory ultimately became the 14th U.S. state in 1791, though historical records indicate this decision was not unanimous.
Minnesota:
The northern Minnesota territory was disputed, with Britain seeking the mineral-rich Mesabi Range for Canada. Initial boundary proposals placed the northern shore of Lake Superior under British control. This resource-rich area became an important consideration during negotiations following the War of 1812. The boundary established by the 1842 treaty placed Minnesota’s northern border at the 49th parallel, securing these natural resources for the United States.
Montana:
Northern Montana was claimed by Britain during multiple border disagreements throughout the 19th century. The Hudson’s Bay Company established trading posts and developed relationships with Native American tribes across the region. British diplomats attempted to secure territories south of the 49th parallel, particularly focusing on areas with strategic water routes. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 established Montana’s northern boundary at the 49th parallel, though the physical border survey wasn’t completed until the 1870s.
Michigan's Upper Peninsula:
British forces occupied Mackinac Island and influenced the Upper Peninsula region following the War of 1812. Military authorities requested that the entire Upper Peninsula remain under British control as part of Canada. Their territorial claim was based on military presence and established commercial networks throughout the region. The Treaty of Ghent in 1814 returned the peninsula to American control, though the final Great Lakes boundary wasn’t fully determined until the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842.
North Dakota:
The border placement along the 49th parallel created territorial uncertainty in North Dakota for several decades. Hudson’s Bay Company established trading operations while Métis communities developed settlements near the unmarked boundary. Survey errors regarding Fort Pembina’s location contributed to geographical misunderstandings about the exact border. The boundary was officially designated in 1818 but remained unmarked until surveys were conducted in the 1870s, creating an area of jurisdictional uncertainty.
Alaska:
Russia approached both Britain and the United States when seeking to sell its Alaskan territory. Canadian representatives showed interest in acquiring the territory to extend their western territories to the Pacific Ocean. Secretary of State William Seward completed the purchase for the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million. This acquisition prevented Alaska’s substantial natural resources from becoming Canadian assets.
Wisconsin:
The fur trade made northern Wisconsin strategically important during early boundary negotiations between the United States and British North America. The Great Lakes watershed boundary was contested, with Britain claiming areas farther south than the current border. British commercial enterprises had established trading networks that they sought to maintain through territorial control. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 created a preliminary boundary, though disputes continued until the Webster-Ashburton Treaty established the final border in 1842.
New York:
Northern New York remained under British military presence for years following the American Revolution. The regions surrounding the St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain were considered strategically significant by both nations. British military forces maintained control of forts despite treaty obligations to withdraw from American territory. The Jay Treaty of 1794 finally secured British military withdrawal, though border questions continued into the early 19th century.
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