In a time of rising Canadian nationalism, the complexities of defining national identity in relation to the United States come into focus. While it is natural for Canadians to distinguish themselves from their American neighbors, excessive anti-American sentiment can lead to detrimental consequences. The story of George Taylor Denison III serves as a cautionary tale of how hostility toward the U.S. can cloud judgment and impact one's future.

Historically, Canadians have set themselves apart from Americans, beginning with the Loyalists who fled to Canada after the American Revolution. Their loyalty to the British Crown and skepticism of American republicanism became foundational elements of Canadian identity. This distinction was defended during the War of 1812 and tested again during the Hunter invasions of 1838. Generations of Canadians have remained wary of American military, economic, and cultural influence.

These concerns are not unfounded. Canada shares the longest undefended border in the world with a superpower that vastly outmatches it in size and strength. Maintaining Canadian distinctiveness in such a shadow requires careful management of the relationship with the U.S. However, when anti-Americanism shifts from a mere stance to a rigid ideology, it can blind Canadians to reality and lead to self-destructive outcomes.

George Denison's life illustrates the dangers of this mindset. Born in 1839 into a prominent Toronto family with deep Loyalist roots, Denison was raised to be wary of the American experiment. His grandfather fought in the War of 1812, and his father was a loyal Tory in the colonial militia. As the eldest son, Denison inherited a strong sense of duty and grievance.

Although he trained as a lawyer, Denison was passionate about military service. At just 18, he took command of the York Dragoons, an elite cavalry unit funded by his family after government support was cut. His defining moment came during the American Civil War. While many Canadians viewed the conflict with ambivalence, Denison saw it as an opportunity to relive the Loyalist struggle.

Denison perceived the Union not as a force for emancipation but as a potential threat to Canada. He called for Canadian mobilization through pamphlets and became increasingly alarmed after the Trent Affair, which nearly sparked a war between Britain and the U.S. He feared that a victorious U.S. Army would turn its attention northward after the Civil War.

In contrast to the cautious approach of most Canadians, Denison embraced the Confederacy. He idealized the Southern plantation class, seeing parallels with the Tory aristocracy of his own family. Denison admired Confederate General Robert E. Lee, even visiting him in Virginia after the war and expressing near-religious reverence for him.

His support for the Confederacy was not merely sentimental. Denison actively assisted Confederate agents and couriers, and his uncle served as a Confederate colonel who visited Toronto during the war. As the South began to plot espionage and sabotage from Canadian territory, Denison's actions reflected a deep-seated belief that aligning with the Confederacy was a means of resisting American expansionism.