Everything Everywhere Daily: "The Plans for a US/Canadian War"

Host: Gary Arndt
Release Date: December 8, 2024

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Plans for a US/Canadian War," host Gary Arndt explores a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of North American history: the contingency plans for conflict between the United States and Canada. While today the relationship between these two neighbors is characterized by cooperation and friendship, Gary delves into a time when the prospect of war seemed plausible. This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, historical insights, and intriguing plans that reveal the complexities of US-Canadian relations over the past two centuries.

Historical Context: Evolving Independence and Relations

Gary begins by highlighting the modern perception of the US-Canada relationship, noting that they share "the world's longest undefended border" ([00:00]). However, this tranquility was not always assured. For much of the last 200 years, Canada's path to independence was closely tied to Britain, making the relationship with the British Empire a central factor in US-Canadian dynamics.

• Canada's Gradual Independence: While commonly believed to have achieved independence in 1867, Canada’s sovereignty was a gradual process. It wasn’t until 1899 that Canada could maintain a military, and only in 1982 did it gain full legislative independence from Britain ([00:00-02:00]).

• 19th-Century Tensions: Post-War of 1812, small skirmishes such as the Lumberjack War of 1838 and the Pig War of 1859 underscored the fragile peace. Additionally, during the American Civil War, certain British factions sympathized with the Confederacy, primarily due to economic interests in cotton ([02:00-04:00]).

The Seeds of Conflict: Defense Scheme Number One

The episode delves into a significant yet obscure chapter of Canadian military planning. In 1921, Lieutenant Colonel James Sutherland Buster Brown devised "Canadian Defence Scheme Number One," a proactive strategy to counter a potential US invasion.

• Strategic Vulnerabilities: Brown identified Canada's lack of strategic depth as a critical weakness. Unlike Russia, which could retreat eastward to stretch enemy supply lines, Canada’s population centers were densely concentrated near the US border. This geographical disadvantage prompted Brown to propose a bold solution: a preemptive invasion of the United States ([04:00-08:00]).

• The Five-Pronged Attack: Brown’s plan entailed a simultaneous assault from multiple fronts:

  1. West Coast: Seize Seattle, Spokane, and possibly Portland.
  2. Central Plains: Target Fargo, Great Falls, and Minneapolis.
  3. Ontario Front: Capture Detroit and Niagara.
  4. Quebec Assault: Move into upstate New York, aiming for Albany.
  5. Eastern Campaign: Advance from New Brunswick into Maine ([08:00-10:00]).

• Critical Flaws: The plan's lack of consultation with Britain and the oversight of defending vital Atlantic ports like Halifax rendered it impractical. British assessments at the time dismissed the viability of defending Canada, labeling a US-Canadian war as unwinnable ([10:00-12:00]).

The American Perspective: War Plan Red

Simultaneously, the United States was formulating its own strategies for potential conflicts. One such plan was "War Plan Red," developed in the 1930s as part of the broader "Plan Dog" Memorandum.

• Mirroring Strategies: War Plan Red mirrored Canada’s Defense Scheme Number One, emphasizing a broad front to quickly overwhelm Canadian defenses. Unlike the Canadian plan, it incorporated a significant naval component aimed at neutralizing British control over Atlantic ports and the St. Lawrence Seaway ([12:00-16:00]).

• Assumed Alliances and Tactics: The American strategy considered possible alliances between Britain and Japan, necessitating defense of the west coast from Japanese threats and the Mexican border. Notably, aviator Charles Lindbergh reportedly advised the use of chemical weapons, a stark violation of the Geneva Convention ([16:00-18:00]).

• Mobilization Capabilities: War Plan Red assumed the ability to mobilize an army of 12 million men within 60 days, leveraging the advantage of fighting on home soil to rapidly gather troops ([18:00-20:00]).

Shifting Alliances and Mutual Defense

By the late 1930s, the strengthening of US-UK relations rendered both Defense Scheme Number One and War Plan Red obsolete. The onset of World War II saw Canada and the United States collaborating on mutual defense initiatives, culminating in agreements like the Ogdensburg Agreement of 1940, which formalized joint defense responsibilities ([20:00-22:00]).

• Declassification and Modern Perception: These historical plans remained classified until 1974, and their release has since been met with amusement and disbelief on both sides of the border. Contemporary references in popular culture, such as the films "Canadian Bacon" and "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," reflect the absurdity with which these plans are now viewed ([22:00-24:00]).

Current Status: A Undefended Border

Today, the US-Canada border remains the longest undefended in the world, symbolizing the enduring peace and cooperation between the two nations. The episode underscores that while contingency plans existed, they were never acted upon and were ultimately rendered irrelevant by evolving geopolitical realities ([24:00-26:00]).

Insights and Conclusions

Gary Arndt concludes that the notion of a US-Canadian war, once a serious consideration within military circles, is now relegated to the realm of comedy. The episode serves as a compelling reminder of how international relations can transform dramatically over time, influenced by economic shifts, war alliances, and mutual interests.

Notable Quotes

• Gary Arndt [00:00]: "The United States and Canada share the world's longest undefended border."
• Gary Arndt [04:30]: "Strategic depth is a military and geopolitical concept referring to the distance between a nation's front lines or borders and its vital centers."
• Gary Arndt [16:45]: "Input on the plan came from a wide variety of sources, including the famed aviator Charles Lindbergh."
• Gary Arndt [24:15]: "The US-Canadian border is 8891 km, or 5525 miles long. It is not only the longest border in the world, but it is also totally undefended."

Production Credits

• Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
• Associate Producers: Benji Long and Cameron Keever

Gary extends gratitude to Patreon supporters and directs listeners to the show's merchandise and online communities for further engagement.

This episode of Everything Everywhere Daily offers a captivating exploration of a "what-if" scenario that highlights the fluid nature of international relationships and the importance of strategic planning. For intellectually curious minds, Gary Arndt provides a thorough and engaging narrative that brings to light an obscure yet intriguing facet of North American history.