If you are talking about them trying to expand in to present-day Canada, then it brought renewed conflict with Britain (war of 1812) if it is towards the west, i guess it hampered technological development, because most people were moving west through the trails, instead of staying to help build up the economy
The correct answer is government. Here in the United States, to fill the purpose of government we have things such as the Navy, Air Force and other military branches.
