19th century American democracy as reflected in colonial Canadian literature

What is it about?

This article examines the political satire of Nova Scotian writer and politician Thomas Chandler Haliburton through the lens of early nineteenth-century transatlantic debates over reform and the best form of government. Haliburton’s Sam Slick sketches feature a charismatic Yankee commenting on global political affairs, and were immensely popular at the time. They were published and read in Britain, Canada, and the US throughout the 19th century. The article argues that Haliburton’s portrayal of American culture is shaped by his negative opinion about popular democracy and its relationship with the industrial capitalism transforming North America. Haliburton’s political satire was meant to persuade colonial readers that the introduction of American-style elective institutions in Nova Scotia had the potential to radically alter British North American culture, and push the colonies out of the orbit of the Empire.

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Why is it important?

Examining Haliburton's writings we understand that popular democracy and American-style liberal republicanism were not unanimously embraced. They were contentious topics and coexisted with other political models throughout the hemisphere.