Thirteen Colonies, Thirteen States

There are many complex facets to the American Revolution, most of them lost in today's fireworks and backyard barbecues. That's a shame, because, certainly in terms of culture and demographics, they are vitally important to consider for a better understanding of North America in the 21st century. 

The war lasted eight years (1775-1783), starting the year before the Declaration of Independence. It was an American Civil War, too: Patriots/Whigs/Rebels vs. Loyalists/Tories. Today, citizens of the USA may not give much or any thought to the Loyalists, but Canadians probably still do. Same in the West Indies and elsewhere in the old British Empire. As for the "Indian Reserve" in the map above? In the wake of the American War for Independence, most members of any First Nation or tribe (aka American Indians) were about to have their own independence curtailed or destroyed courtesy of the USA. How about slaves and slavery? By 1790, the US population, shorn of most Loyalists, was about 3.9 million, including nearly 700,000 slaves. All men were created equal, but apparently they were not intended to remain that way.  

And the legacy? Largely over slavery and the election of Abraham Lincoln, four of the original thirteen colonies/states departed from the United States of America in 1860-1861: South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina (the latter two after Fort Sumter). Then in 1863, a pro-Union part of Virginia split off to form West Virginia. After the four rebellious Confederate states were returned to the Union as a result of the American Civil War of 1861-1865, Virginia never again regained its prominent role in American policymaking.      

"The American Revolution created two countries, Canada and the United States. . . Those that defeated American invaders and local Rebels later came together to form Canada. . . In Canada, British victories at Québec City and Fort Cumberland had saved the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia from conquest, annexation and defined the border with the United States." -- Musée canadien de la guerre / Canadian War Museum. Link: http://www.museedelaguerre.ca/expositions/

Today's Rune: Wholeness.