Why have the US not tried to annex Canada since the 1810s? I mean, it blocks the land access to Alaska, so I see no geographic reason to let Canada remain. Or is it just because the US didn't want any war with the British post-1867?

There are several reasons why the United States has not attempted to annex Canada since the 1810s:

1. International norms: Since the end of World War II, the international community has increasingly recognized the sovereignty of individual nations and the importance of self-determination. The idea of annexing another country against its will is generally seen as a violation of these norms.

2. Strong Canadian identity: Canada has developed a strong national identity over the past two centuries, with its own political institutions, cultural traditions, and sense of history. Many Canadians take pride in their country's independence and would strongly object to being annexed by the United States.

3. Political stability: Canada has a stable and democratic political system that has been able to resolve many of its internal challenges without resorting to violence. There is little appetite among Canadians for a violent conflict with the United States over the issue of annexation.

4. Economic ties: The United States and Canada have a long history of economic cooperation and trade. Annexing Canada would disrupt these ties and create economic instability on both sides of the border.

5. International relations: Annexing Canada would have significant implications for the United States' relations with other countries, particularly its close ally, the United Kingdom. The US would risk damaging its relationships with other countries and undermining its global influence

 

1. Mutual respect for sovereignty: Both the US and Canada have a long-standing tradition of respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Annexing Canada would be a violation of this principle and would likely damage relations between the two countries.

2. Economic and diplomatic ties: The US and Canada have close economic and diplomatic ties, with significant trade and investment between the two countries. Annexing Canada could disrupt these ties and damage the US economy.

3. Cultural similarities: The US and Canada share many cultural similarities, including language, history, and values. Many Americans have Canadian ancestry, and many Canadians have American ancestry. Annexing Canada could be seen as an attempt to erase these cultural ties and would likely be met with opposition from both sides of the border.

4. Political stability: Canada is a stable democracy with a well-established political system. Annexing Canada could disrupt this stability and could lead to political unrest and conflict.

5. International law: Annexing a sovereign nation is a violation of international law, and the US would likely face significant diplomatic and legal consequences if it attempted to do so.

Overall, the US has not attempted to annex Canada because of a combination of mutual respect for sovereignty, close economic and diplomatic ties, cultural similarities, political stability, and adherence to international law. While the geographic position of Canada may have been a consideration for some policymakers in the past, it is not the sole or even the primary factor in US-Canada relations today.