The Aroostook War History of Maine

the still-lingering border dispute british north america came head in 1839 when maine governor john fairfield declared virtual war on lumbermen new brunswick cutting timber in lands claimed maine. 4 regiments of maine militia mustered in bangor , marched border, there no fighting. aroostook war undeclared , bloodless conflict settled diplomacy.

secretary of state daniel webster secretly funded propaganda campaign convinced maine leaders compromise wise; webster used old map showed british claims legitimate. british had different old map showed american claims legitimate, both sides thought other had better case. final border between 2 countries established webster–ashburton treaty of 1842, gave maine of disputed area, , gave british militarily vital connection between provinces of canada (present-day quebec , ontario) , new brunswick.

the passion of aroostook war signaled increasing role lumbering , logging playing in maine economy, particularly in central , eastern sections of state. bangor arose lumbering boom-town in 1830s, , potential demographic , political rival portland. bangor became time largest lumber port in world, , site of furious land speculation extended penobscot river valley , beyond.