When I first started researching my book on Benjamin Franklin and Canada it seemed like a niche topic.
Why would anyone care than an American icon wanted to possess Canada?

#hedidnotconquer #CIHE #canada #history #books #cdaus @revwar250.bsky.social @dundurnpress.bsky.social

Photo of a man using his phone to take a picture of three people: a female author, seated at a table and signing books, with two men standing behind her smiling.

What a pleasure to talk about my book to members of the Canadian International Council, Waterloo branch, last night at St. Jerome's University. An engaged and thoughtful audience!

There are a lot of people to thank for making it happen.

#hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #cdaus

French, sepia-toned etching from 1778, showing Benjamin Franklin as a God dressed in flowing garments. The Latin inscription can be translated as "He snatched lightning from the sky and the sceptre from tyrants."

#OTD February 22, 1776, the commander of the American forces occupying Trois-Rivières, Quebec, wrote Benjamin Franklin, urging him to use his reputed supernatural powers to conquer Canada.

#hedidnotconquere #canada #history #cdaus @revwar250.bsky.social #America250 @dundurnpress.bsky.social

This is a portrait of John Adams, former US president and founding father, painted by Mather Brown in 1788. He is wearing a brown jacket and matching waistcoat, with a white neckerchief. He has some papers in one hand and a quill in the other. He is wearing a grey wig and has a serious expression.

“The Unanimous Voice of the Continent is Canada must be ours. Quebec must be taken.” So declared John Adams in a letter sent #OTD Feb. 18, 1776, to fellow revolutionary James Warren.
#hedidnotconquer #canada #history #cdaus #America250 @dundurn

Portrait of a portly Benjamin Franklin. He is wearing what looks like a grey silk suit, with matching waistcoat and white neckerchief. His hair is long and still brown. He looks serious. His lips are pursed.

This is a portrait of Samuel Chase. He has abundant, long, grey hair. He is wearing a dark jacket and white neckerchief. He is gazing directly at the viewer and has a serious expression.

This is a portrait of Charles Carroll of Carrollton. He has a patrician air. He appears to have short grey hair. He is wearing a dark jacket and has a white neckerchief. He has a serious expression and is gazing directly at the viewer.

#OTD Feb. 15, 1776, the Continental Congress asked Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton to go to Canada to ask the French Canadians to join the American Revolution.

#hedidnotconquer #canada #history #cdaus @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

General Lee never got a chance to test Franklin’s theory in Canada because he was reassigned March 1 to protect the 13 colonies against an anticipated spring attack by the British.

#hedidnotconquer #history #cdaus @todayinamrev.bsky.social @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revolution250.bsky.social

In Conversation with Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien – February 2, 2026 At a ceremony in Ottawa, former prime minister Stephen Harper receives a gold medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) in recognition of his career in public service. Following the ...

It is heartening to see two former prime ministers, from different parties, have a friendly conversation about Canadian unity in the time of Trump.

#hedidnotconquer #canada #history #cdaus #americanrevolution @dundurnpress@twitter.piriklub.eu

Really enjoyed speaking with Larry Ostola of the Champlain Society about my book and its relevance to Canada-US relations today.

#hedidnotconquer #canada #history #cdaus #americanrevolution
@dundurnpress.bsky.social @revolution250.bsky.social

Opinion: Carney picks the wrong battle in Quebec City Another historic confrontation is more perfectly suited to this moment — the defeat of American invaders in 1775 by combined forces.

My take on the historical aspects of the prime minister’s Quebec speech.

#hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #cdaus @dundurnpress.bsky.social

If anyone had any doubts about where Trump intends to go next, these faked photos, which MSN says Trump posted last night, make it clear.
Take a look at the map showing Canada covered by the American flag.
#hedidnotconquer #canada #cdaus #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social

It would take many more months and a personal visit by Franklin to Montreal before they realized that the American invasion of Canada, begun in September 1775, was a complete failure.

#books #cdaus @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

America’s Roots are Showing with its Threat to Greenland – Centre for International Policy Studies Canada's leading centre for analysis and debate of international affairs.

Trump is not inventing a new foreign policy with his threats to Greenland. He’s resurrecting an approach that is 250 years old.

#hedidnotconquer #canada #cdaus #history @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System | International Organization | Cambridge Core Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System - Volume 79 Issue S1

This paper lays out a new and scary explanation for what motivates Donald Trump.
It also explores the lowly place for Canada and other countries in this new system.
Well worth reading.
#canada #cdaus #history

Carleton did not want anyone within the city walls who would not fight on his side. Many who left were English-speaking merchants, originally from the 13 colonies, who sided with the invaders.

#hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #cdaus

But coming so soon after the announcement of his death, the moment felt bittersweet.

He was Canada’s preeminent military historian, the author of 19 books that told us who we are and where we came from. He is already missed.

#cdahist #cdaus @dundurnpress.bsky.social #history #canada

He said that “our affairs wear so favourable an aspect in Canada, that if Colonel Arnold should penetrate to Quebeck, the whole country will, in all probability, be in our hands soon.” It did not work out that way.

#hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #cdaus @dundurnpress.bsky.social

Woman with grey hair and glasses wearing a red sweater stands beside a screen showing the cover of the book He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Below the screen is a marble fireplace.

Had a really enjoyable evening discussing my book with the Friends of Lifelong Learning at the Glebe Centre in Ottawa. What a great group!
#cdahistory #cdaus #hedidnotconquer

Woman with grey hair and glasses standing in front of a podium at the Atwater Library in Montreal. In the background is a map from 1560 with the word Canada circled. Photo credit: Patricia Poirier

Woman with grey hair and glasses signing a book. In the foreground is the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.

I really enjoyed giving a talk on my book today at the Atwater Library in Montreal. A special thanks to those who came out despite the transit strike.
@dundurnpress.bsky.social #cdahist #cdaus #hedidnotconquer

Female author with grey hair and glasses, wearing a red jacket, signing a book in a book store.

A crowd in a book store for an event. Female author wearing a red jacket is speaking to a man with white hair before a wall of bookshelves. Others are listening to the conversation.

Had a great time at the Toronto launch of my book at Ben McNally Books. My thanks to Meghan Macdonald of @dundurnpress.bsky.social for kicking things off, Rupert and Danielle McNally for hosting, and to all the friends and book lovers who came.
#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdapoli

Ad for a talk by Madelaine Drohan about her book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada, at the Atwater Library in Montreal on Nov. 6 at 12:30. There is a photo of the author on the left. She has short grey hair, wears glasses, and is smiling. There is a photo of the book cover on the right. The title is superimposed on a portrait of Franklin, who appears to be frowning. Below the images is text giving the details of the event.

I’m looking forward to speaking at the Atwater Library at 12:30 pm on November 6. Montreal plays a big part in the story I tell about Benjamin Franklin wanting to annex Canada. He set the stage for Donald Trump. My book is published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social
#hedidnotconquer #cdahist #cdaus

Thanks to Ben McNally Books for hosting the Toronto launch my book, published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social

#hedidnotconquer #cdahist #cdaus #canada #Canada250

Second, the idea of a North American wearing a kingly crown did not begin with Donald Trump.
#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdahist

What a pleasure it was to speak this week with Tom Fournier of the @historysymposium.bsky.social about my book, published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social. I gave the high points of Benjamin Franklin’s designs on Canada.

#cdaus #cdapoli #cdahist #hedidnotconquer

youtu.be/IySBOsrhFE8?...

Canada’s Difficulty in Dealing with the Victim-in-Chief - Open Canada Two and a half centuries after Benjamin Franklin cast the young United States as the aggrieved party to pry concessions from Britain, the same playbook appears to be back in circulation.

We all have self-proclaimed victims in our lives who are difficult to deal with. Imagine facing them across a negotiating table when the stakes are high. That's where PM Carney finds himself now.
#cdaus #cdahist #CIC #hedidnotconquer

This is a poster for an October 21st event at the national capital branch (Ottawa) of the Canadian International Council. It shows a photo of the speaker, Madelaine Drohan, and a photo of the moderator, Melanie Walker. It also shows the cover of Madelaine Drohan’s book, which is called He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. It gives the details of where the event will take place: 150 Elgin Street, suite 1800, Ottawa, and the time 6:30pm.

Did Benjamin Franklin’s failure to annex Canada set the stage for Donald Trump and his talk of the 51st state? I’ll be discussing that and other questions at a Canadian International Council meeting Oct. 21. Open to the public (see poster for details).
#cdaus #cdapoli #cdahist #hedidnotconquer

Here are 61 books to add to your must-read list this fall New memoirs from Margaret Atwood and Arundhati Roy, buzzy fiction by Mona Awad and more notable reads this season

I’m really pleased @theglobeandmail.com said my book He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada (@dundurnpress) is a must-read. Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state have made it relevant.
#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdahist #dundurn

www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/book...

Woman standing in a book store, smiling, holding two copies of the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. She is wearing a blue raincoat. There is a table piled with books beside her.

Dropped into #Indigo at the Rideau Centre today. No matter how many books you write, it is a good feeling the first time you see copies on display.
#hedidnotconquer @dundurnpress.bsky.social #cdaus #cdahist

Mark Carney’s radical vision for handling Trumpian America Liberalise at home and lead a new free-trade revolution

It will be interesting to see if Mr. Trump repeats his claim that Canada should become part of the US today. Equally interesting will be how Mr. Carney deals with it.
#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdahist #dundurnpress

Opinion: This is what the opening move of the U.S.’s attempted annexation of Canada could look like A Trump annexation effort would likely start in the North. It’s time to take the possibility seriously and have a hard conversation about Canada’s maritime Arctic sovereignty

Well worth reading, right to the end.

#Canada #cdaUS #cdahistory #hedidnotconquer

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

This is a photo of a book signing at an indoor pool. The author is sitting at a picnic table, with a pen in her hand. She is talking to a man sitting beside her. Two other swimmers, a man and a woman wearing swimming costumes, are standing to her left, listening.

Having a book signing at a pool is slightly unconventional. But book lovers can be found everywhere!

#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdahist #dundurnpress