Instead of compelling Canada to become an American state, the 1890 McKinley Tariff drove Canada into British hands.

Republicans in the late 19th century wanted to annex Canada. And the episode ought to serve as a warning for President Donald Trump.

  • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
    0·
    12 days ago

    Providing people a common enemy is always the easiest way to keep them together and focused. It’s a tactic as old as time.

    For example:

    Naturally the common people don’t want war . . . but after all it is the leaders of a country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or parliament or a communist dictatorship. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.

    –Hermann Goering (1893-1945)