In other words, twice the United States invaded Canada hoping the residents of Quebec might want independence, and there is no reason to believe that they'd want to be part of the United States when the growing movement resents being part of Canada today.

The United States could invade Canada easily enough. It could occupy Canada easily enough. But it would be a pyrrhic victory, even with minimal casualties. The U.S. would face a bitter population, one it would need to hold down for at least several generations, and have little to gain. As a trading partner and close ally, we're simply in a better place right now.

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

Image: Wikimedia Commons.