England expected that after gaining their independence the Americans would try to overrun Canada. Loyalist settlements along the upper Saint Lawrence River and Lake Ontario were believed to be particularly vulnerable, and indeed many battles were fought throughout this area (Upper Canada). It was decided to construct the Rideau Canal from Bytown (Ottawa) to Kingston, thus bypassing the vulnerable St Lawrence, in order to maintain communications with York (Toronto), Niagara, and other settlements to the west. The Kingston end of the ... (more)