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History Post-confederation (1867-)

Canadians at Last

The Integration of Newfoundland as a Province

by (author) Raymond B. Blake

Publisher
University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Initial publish date
Feb 2015
Category
Post-Confederation (1867-), Social History, Canadian
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802005540
    Publish Date
    Jun 1994
    List Price
    $75.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442659803
    Publish Date
    Feb 2015
    List Price
    $70.00

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Description

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.

About the author

Raymond B. Blake is Professor of History at the University of Regina and formerly Director of the Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy. His books include Trajectories of Rural Life: New Perspectives on Rural Canada, co-edited with Andrew Nurse (2003), and Canadians at Last: Canada Integrates Newfoundland as a Province (1994 and 2004).

Raymond B. Blake's profile page

Editorial Reviews

'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.'

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