Canadians at Last: The Integration of Newfoundland as a Province / Edition 2

by Raymond B. Blake

Overview

History provides some interesting case studies of what happens when trade barriers come down. Among them is the story told in this book of Newfoundland's integration into Canada in the aftermath of the province's 1948 referendum. Raymond B. Blake takes a refreshing approach to this episode in Canadian history, avoiding the old shibboleths of conspiracy and local nationalism, and instead making a down-to-earth study of economic and political events.

Canadians at Last explores the efforts of the many Canadians and Newfoundlanders who tried to make Confederation work. Blake argues that Canada wanted union, to remove any uncertainty in its dealings with Newfoundland over civil aviation, defence, and trade. Newfoundland opted for union largely because Canada's burgeoning social welfare system promised a more secure existence. Investigating the complex problems they encountered, Blake details changes in trade, fishing, and manufacturing and in the political process in Newfoundland. He also looks at the introduction and impact of social programs, and the terms of the US military presence there. Finally, he demonstrates that by 1957 Newfoundland's integration into Canada was essentially complete; it was being treated the same as the other provinces, subject to the terms of union.

By beginning with the 1949 Confederation rather than the activities leading up to it, and by thoroughly documenting areas of agreement, contention, and neglect, Blake writes a solid, contemporary history of Newfoundland's integration into Canada. Virtually the only complete academic treatment of this subject, Canadians at Last offers much basic information that so far has not been made available.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802069788
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	12/15/1994
Series:	Heritage
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Raymond B. Blake is Professor and Chair of the Department of History at the University of Regina.

Editorial Reviews

'Blake's book covers the years 1949 to 1957 and how Newfoundlanders came to be Canadians. It is an impressive, judicious vigorously written work, based on considerable research...it is a fascinating success story.'

—Choice

'Blake adds significantly to our knowledge of Newfoundland's early years as a province, informs the debate, and moves it forward.'

—The Canadian Historical Review

From the Publisher

'Blake adds significantly to our knowledge of Newfoundland's early years as a province, informs the debate, and moves it forward.'

The Canadian Historical Review

'Blake's book covers the years 1949 to 1957 and how Newfoundlanders came to be Canadians. It is an impressive, judicious vigorously written work, based on considerable research...it is a fascinating success story.'

Choice

Although July 1, 1867 is the date normally identified with Canadian nationhood, it was not until March 31, 1949, when Newfoundland, the last of the former British colonies in North America, gained provincial status, that the vision of the country held by the original Fathers of Confederation was finally fulfilled, and the nation complete. This volume is about that more recent Confederation and the role the federal government played in nation building from 1948 to 1957. It examines how the Canadian government attempted to integrate Newfoundland into the union, and how it made a province of the former dominion. Canadian catalog no. C94-930016-0. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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