DIY Uncle Sam

This is one of the most revealing political cartoons ever printed about the settlement of Western Canada, and almost no modern Canadians—or even most historians—fully appreciate what it is saying.

Let’s break it down clearly and then explain why it matters so much today, especially for Albertans.

✅ WHAT THE IMAGE IS ABOUT

This cartoon shows:

• Uncle Sam (the United States)

• Jack Canuck / Johnny Canuck (Canada)

• The American saying he’s sad that Americans leave home—but happy when they go to Canada because they will receive “square treatment.”

In the background:

• A long line of covered wagons heading north, marked “TO CANADIAN WEST.”

• A sign reading: “HOMES FOR MILLIONS IN THE GREAT CANADIAN WEST.”

This cartoon dates from the late 1800s to early 1900s—the era when the Canadian Prairies were being settled, and when the United States was worried about losing people to Canada.

It captures a historic fact that Canada seldom discusses:

The Canadian West—especially Alberta—was largely settled by Americans.

Uncle Sam is literally “giving his blessing” for Americans to move north and build the Prairies.

✅ THINGS MODERN ALBERTANS AND CANADIANS MIGHT NOT KNOW

1. Up to HALF of early Alberta homesteaders were American.

This is the biggest forgotten fact in Canadian history.

By 1911:

• In southern Alberta, 30–50% of farmers were American-born.

• In some districts (e.g., Macleod, Cardston, Pincher Creek), the majority population was American.

• The U.S. government openly encouraged this because Americans would spread American-style democracy and agriculture into the region.

Some scholars even describe Alberta as:

“America’s most successful informal colony.”

But this is rarely taught in Canadian schools.

2. Canada was terrified the U.S. would annex the Prairies.

The Dominion government knew:

• Americans were pouring into the West more than British or Eastern Canadians.

• American settlers wanted American-style laws, American-style land rights, and some quietly hoped for annexation.

This is why Ottawa pushed:

• the North-West Mounted Police,

• strict land surveys,

• heavy-handed federal control,

• and the creation of the CPR.

All were designed to “Canadianize” the frontier before Americans could take it.

This cartoon shows the U.S. being “friendly”—but underneath, there were strong geopolitical tensions.

3. Many Albertan political traditions are actually American.

Modern Albertans often don’t know how American their province originally was.

American settlers brought:

• individualism,

• religious pluralism,

• libertarian political culture,

• mistrust of central government,

• republicanism,

• local autonomy,

• community self-governance,

• the grange / cooperative movement,

• and evangelical Protestant culture.

Alberta’s populism today—both left and right—is deeply rooted in its early American identity.

4. Western alienation has roots in this period.

The U.S. settlers assumed Western Canada would become something like:

• Montana

• North Dakota

• Wyoming
i.e., a region with local power and decentralized politics.

Instead, Ottawa imposed:

• tariff policies benefiting Central Canada,

• grain marketing controls,

• Dominion Police,

• appointed lieutenant-governors,

• and the CPR monopoly.

To American-born farmers, this felt like colonial rule—not the freedom they expected.

The anger they felt became the emotional ancestor of:

• the Progressive movement,

• Social Credit,

• Reform Party,

• the Wildrose movement,

• and modern Alberta discontent.

5. This image captures a moment when the U.S. and Canada were in a friendly competition for people.

In the 1890s–1910s:

• The United States was becoming crowded.

• Land was more expensive.

• Canada needed settlers desperately.

So Canada ran massive propaganda campaigns in:

• Minnesota

• Iowa

• Nebraska

• the Dakotas

• Montana

and the U.S. acknowledged that Canadians were poaching American farmers.

This cartoon literally shows Uncle Sam shrugging and saying:

“At least they’ll be treated fairly over there.”

This was partially mockery but also partly true—Canada was offering:

• cheap land,

• fewer taxes,

• and less corporate dominance (at least at first).

✅ WHY THIS IMAGE IS RELEVANT TODAY

1. Alberta’s political DNA is more American than British.

When people say Alberta feels “more American,” they are not imagining it.

It was built by Americans, culturally and demographically.

This explains Alberta’s:

• strong free-speech culture

• gun culture

• entrepreneurial spirit

• natural mistrust of centralized authority

• push for property rights

• populism

• desire for provincial autonomy

• recurring interest in statehood or closer U.S. alignment

These attitudes were imported directly.

2. Canada still downplays Western contributions in its national narrative.

Canadian history textbooks focus on:

• the CPR,

• the heroic Mountie myth,

• Laurier’s policies.

But they skip:

• the American-led settlement wave

• American political influence

• the internal fear of annexation

• Western frustration with Eastern control

This creates a distorted national memory.

This cartoon is a reminder of the real history.

3. The cartoon visually shows the Canada–U.S. tension that still exists.

Things that remain relevant today:

• migration from the U.S. into Alberta continues

• Alberta’s identity remains closer to Montana and North Dakota than to Toronto

• political relationships resemble those of the American Plains

• many Albertans feel culturally Americanized but governed by British-derived institutions

• statehood discussions echo old 19th-century concerns

The image is an early example of the continentalist pull—a pull that remains active today.

4. It can be used today to reframe conversations about Alberta’s future.

For AB51, this cartoon is powerful because it shows:

• America already saw the West as culturally compatible.

• Americans who moved north often expected political alignment.

• The U.S. didn’t see Canadians as enemies—just people who might eventually join the Union.

It is a reminder that:

The idea of Alberta as part of the U.S. is not new. It is over 120 years old.

And it was once considered normal.

✔ SUMMARY

This cartoon shows:

• The U.S. acknowledging the massive migration of Americans into Western Canada.

• Canada advertising the West as a land of opportunity.

• A friendly but competitive relationship for settlers.

• The American roots of Prairie culture.

• The geopolitical tensions about annexation.

• The origins of Alberta’s political character.

And it is deeply relevant today because it explains why Alberta still feels like it doesn’t fully belong in the Canadian political order.

If you'd like, I can also analyze:

• how this cartoon fits with the Laurier immigration boom,

• how many U.S. settlers became Albertan MLAs and MPs,

• or how to use these images in AB51 educational material.

Just let me know. (chat g p t)

*SHARED FROM Benjamin Elbe

Meet me in church on Sunday!