Lessons (Part 1, Notes)
anonymous
January 27 2010, 10:34:29 UTC
Historical Notes:
Beginning: The 1749 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle marked the end of the War of Austrian Succession, which gave France back the parts of New France England had seized; England retained Nova Scotia, which it had held since 1713, hence Canada being split between the two. “Ahorn” is German for “maple”; they’re technically speaking French, so using French or English for “maple” would have been awkward. >>;
August 1814: The burning of Washington DC. Overdone, yes, I know - it was this or the Battle of Quebec, 1775-6. :) Newark was burned in December 1813 by the Americans to eliminate cover for the attacking British troops. The townspeople were supposed to have warning to evacuate and compensation for their losses; they didn't. York was sacked April 1813, after the defenders surrendered. Oh, and Canada was a majority Catholic country at the time, vs the US’s Protestantism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_Washington
1752: A random date when New France & the 13 Colonies were talking again.
1985: No significance to the date, but they talk about the annual Tulip Festival, where the Netherlands’ royal family sends 10 000 tulip bulbs to Canada to commemorate Canada-Netherlands connections from WWII, and Canada throws a festival to show them off. http://www.tulipfestival.ca/
December 1814: The Treaty of Ghent was signed in Ghent, Netherlands, and ratified in 1815. I have no idea if they’d have had a ball/celebration afterwards, so I invented one; it seemed appropriate for the nations to attend the negotiations. (Oh, and the waltz was introduced to France well before England, where it was seen as scandalous because of the close contact of the partners.) “Sloppy seconds” because much of the anglo immigration to the Canadas to that point was Loyalists after the American Revolution; this leads into the Great Migration of 1815-50. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltz
1977: There was a crap load of immigration from Ukraine to Canada in the late 1800s, and the connections are still very strong in the relevant provinces. In 1977 Canada and Ukraine set up a student exchange program; convenient date is convenient. (I can also see Matt sneaking into the country on a student visa, but that’s just me. :) ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada-Ukraine_relations
2002: No significance to the date, just wanted an independent and democratic Seychelles. All the food they eat is in various degrees Canadian, from Canadian-invented butter tarts to things shared with the US (plank salmon and fiddleheads [New England]) and beyond (Canada has some damn good wineries).
1849: Responsible government (where the government is responsible to the people, not the Crown), was actually sort-of introduced to the Province of Canada in 1848, when the Governor-General chose the government to reflect the results of the election; it was tested in 1849, when the Rebellion Losses Bill granted compensation to francophones whose property was damaged in the 1937-8 rebellion. The Chateau Clique and the Family Compact were disproportionately influential individuals within the colony. Lower Canada = modern Quebec, Upper Canada = modern Ontario. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsible_government http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebellion_Losses_Bill
[Undated, but 1763]: The Treaty of Paris gave New France to England in exchange for the return of Guadeloupe, and ended the Seven Years’ War. Hence the hand-over of colonies.
1931: Statute of Westminster. The United Kingdom granted near-independence to its Dominions; there were only a few exceptions, like British citizens being allowed to vote in Dominion elections. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_Westminster_1931
Re: Lessons (Part 1, Notes)
anonymous
January 27 2010, 14:53:32 UTC
Um. Er. Anon is absolutely speechless and in awe of your brilliant characterisation for everyone. And I do mean everyone. Not just Matthew, but Francis actually teaching Matt exactly how to be a real Nation, outside of all the paperwork and legal shit. Because, face it, all of that has to come from somewhere.
I love the mask idea too, and how Matthew actually picks up on the fact that even though Francis is the one who is educating on the "mask", and how he needs an outlet for himself, his own mask actually grew onto him. Very astute, very... Like him, somehow?
I think I talk too much. But I absolutely love this fill; It has amazing plot, and even more amazing writing. fantastic job.
Re: Lessons (Part 1, Notes)
anonymous
January 27 2010, 22:31:18 UTC
The sheer amount of PLOT in this is utterly staggerring and possibly the most amazing thing I have ever read about our dear Canada... Oh DEAR, all the HISTORY and the DRAMA and... you... have made me very happy indeed.
I am especially excited that, through it all, there are distinctly romantic undertones between France and Canada. I happen to love that couple immensely, and it is nice that Canada still cares about France through it all.
Really, thank you for this. I look forward to more.
Re: Lessons (Part 1, Notes)
anonymous
January 27 2010, 23:46:55 UTC
oh god, oh god, oh god (hyperventilates). This fill is just made of win! I love the plot. I love the little flashes of lessons and their applications.
I love the fact that France is teaching Canada to be an actual nation. I love how that Canada is more 'prepared' than Gaudeloupe. I love the romantic undertones in their relationship. oh...and I feel so sad for Canada's little voice ("it wasn't supposed to be this way"). And all the history!!!! *wails around in joy*
:D This fill is epic. Thanks for writing it! :D :D :D :D :D
Re: Lessons (Part 1, Notes)
anonymous
January 28 2010, 03:23:35 UTC
What everyone above said, anon! This is an immensely fulfilling fic, the depth of the characterization and history is wonderful. Can't wait to see how the next part develops.
ABSOLUTELY SPEECHLESS
anonymous
January 28 2010, 23:02:30 UTC
This anon is absolutely speechless with wonder. This piece was perfect, from the strong historical facts behind it to the intimate parts of learning. Absolutely wonderful fic, I'd love to know who you are so I could stalk your journal. There's something really bittersweet here, about Matt's feelings for Francis, and how subtly Francis taught him everything but how to resist the same learnings from him.
I found the parts with his brother the hottest, which baffles this anon who is very much not an Americest shipper. I lol'd at Ukraine's part because of RussiaXD My favourite line was Arthur's combination of fear and desirability, on the other hand, works wonderfully with the rest of the world and generally, this section was the most intriguing; I find Francis' take on what face the nations' present to others fascinating, Russia's fail and this, Arthur's brilliance. God, that line is also really hot because it's so true, Arthur presents himself as a mix between fearsome and alluring; I wonder if Francis thinks it also works on him, or how does Francis present himself to the rest of the world. Or America. Or Spain. Or Germany. God, I'd love to read more about that
Re: Lessons (Part 1, Notes)
anonymous
February 14 2010, 04:35:52 UTC
kldfjhgjkdvhjdfgh Sorry I'm... totally speechless too. This fill is amazing. So much. So much feeling. So bittersweet. So right. God, the last scene depressed me... But I absolutely loved France teaching Canada, and all of those things were so... well, usefull. You can tell he speaks from experience... Like Canada figured, more than he wants to show.
Please, please, waiting with so much excitement for the next part! *g*
Re: Lessons (Part 1, Notes)
anonymous
March 30 2010, 04:23:28 UTC
I mean... this is amazing, and the research you did is astounding. Your writing is excellent, your situations superb. But I feel the need to mention that training and using sex for falsity and politics leaves a bad taste in my mouth and makes my stomach turn. Just my personal squick (probably one of the only ones I have, too...). whatevs. Like I said, a great story.
(reCAPTCHA 'pre-1967 shimmy'. Sounds like a dance move, no?)
Beginning: The 1749 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle marked the end of the War of Austrian Succession, which gave France back the parts of New France England had seized; England retained Nova Scotia, which it had held since 1713, hence Canada being split between the two. “Ahorn” is German for “maple”; they’re technically speaking French, so using French or English for “maple” would have been awkward. >>;
August 1814: The burning of Washington DC. Overdone, yes, I know - it was this or the Battle of Quebec, 1775-6. :) Newark was burned in December 1813 by the Americans to eliminate cover for the attacking British troops. The townspeople were supposed to have warning to evacuate and compensation for their losses; they didn't. York was sacked April 1813, after the defenders surrendered. Oh, and Canada was a majority Catholic country at the time, vs the US’s Protestantism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_Washington
1752: A random date when New France & the 13 Colonies were talking again.
1985: No significance to the date, but they talk about the annual Tulip Festival, where the Netherlands’ royal family sends 10 000 tulip bulbs to Canada to commemorate Canada-Netherlands connections from WWII, and Canada throws a festival to show them off.
http://www.tulipfestival.ca/
December 1814: The Treaty of Ghent was signed in Ghent, Netherlands, and ratified in 1815. I have no idea if they’d have had a ball/celebration afterwards, so I invented one; it seemed appropriate for the nations to attend the negotiations. (Oh, and the waltz was introduced to France well before England, where it was seen as scandalous because of the close contact of the partners.) “Sloppy seconds” because much of the anglo immigration to the Canadas to that point was Loyalists after the American Revolution; this leads into the Great Migration of 1815-50.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltz
1977: There was a crap load of immigration from Ukraine to Canada in the late 1800s, and the connections are still very strong in the relevant provinces. In 1977 Canada and Ukraine set up a student exchange program; convenient date is convenient. (I can also see Matt sneaking into the country on a student visa, but that’s just me. :) )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada-Ukraine_relations
2002: No significance to the date, just wanted an independent and democratic Seychelles. All the food they eat is in various degrees Canadian, from Canadian-invented butter tarts to things shared with the US (plank salmon and fiddleheads [New England]) and beyond (Canada has some damn good wineries).
Yes, that’s a not-so-stealthy reference to the “2009 Invasion of Canada,” where the Americans solve their maple syrup supply difficulties by rounding up Canadians and bleeding them over their pancakes. Go read the delicious crack:
http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/9482.html?thread=14204426#t14204426
http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/10456.html?thread=14433752#t14433752 (porn sequel + prequel)
1849: Responsible government (where the government is responsible to the people, not the Crown), was actually sort-of introduced to the Province of Canada in 1848, when the Governor-General chose the government to reflect the results of the election; it was tested in 1849, when the Rebellion Losses Bill granted compensation to francophones whose property was damaged in the 1937-8 rebellion. The Chateau Clique and the Family Compact were disproportionately influential individuals within the colony. Lower Canada = modern Quebec, Upper Canada = modern Ontario.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsible_government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebellion_Losses_Bill
[Undated, but 1763]: The Treaty of Paris gave New France to England in exchange for the return of Guadeloupe, and ended the Seven Years’ War. Hence the hand-over of colonies.
1931: Statute of Westminster. The United Kingdom granted near-independence to its Dominions; there were only a few exceptions, like British citizens being allowed to vote in Dominion elections.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_Westminster_1931
Oh, and original request: http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/10530.html?thread=15456290#t15456290
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If you catch any others, please let me know!
Reply
I love the mask idea too, and how Matthew actually picks up on the fact that even though Francis is the one who is educating on the "mask", and how he needs an outlet for himself, his own mask actually grew onto him. Very astute, very... Like him, somehow?
I think I talk too much. But I absolutely love this fill; It has amazing plot, and even more amazing writing. fantastic job.
Reply
Keep it up!!
Reply
I am especially excited that, through it all, there are distinctly romantic undertones between France and Canada. I happen to love that couple immensely, and it is nice that Canada still cares about France through it all.
Really, thank you for this. I look forward to more.
Reply
I love the fact that France is teaching Canada to be an actual nation. I love how that Canada is more 'prepared' than Gaudeloupe. I love the romantic undertones in their relationship. oh...and I feel so sad for Canada's little voice ("it wasn't supposed to be this way"). And all the history!!!! *wails around in joy*
:D This fill is epic. Thanks for writing it! :D :D :D :D :D
I'm going to stalk you now.
Reply
Reply
I found the parts with his brother the hottest, which baffles this anon who is very much not an Americest shipper. I lol'd at Ukraine's part because of RussiaXD
My favourite line was
Arthur's combination of fear and desirability, on the other hand, works wonderfully with the rest of the world
and generally, this section was the most intriguing; I find Francis' take on what face the nations' present to others fascinating, Russia's fail and this, Arthur's brilliance. God, that line is also really hot because it's so true, Arthur presents himself as a mix between fearsome and alluring; I wonder if Francis thinks it also works on him, or how does Francis present himself to the rest of the world. Or America. Or Spain. Or Germany. God, I'd love to read more about that
Excellent fic, anon. Is there a Part 2 yet?
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Please, please, waiting with so much excitement for the next part! *g*
Reply
But I feel the need to mention that training and using sex for falsity and politics leaves a bad taste in my mouth and makes my stomach turn. Just my personal squick (probably one of the only ones I have, too...). whatevs. Like I said, a great story.
(reCAPTCHA 'pre-1967 shimmy'. Sounds like a dance move, no?)
Reply
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