The Second World War had profound diplomatic, political and economic ramifications for Canada. In particular, it altered Canada’s relations with Britain and the United States.
These changes are explored by Canadian historian Tim Cook, director of research at the Canadian War Museum, in an admirable, multifaceted narrative.
Canada’s principal war aim, Cook says, was to support Britain. Paradoxically, realizing this goal necessitated closer relations with the United States. Canada and the U.S. had to cooperate to secure the defense of the North American continent; once hemispheric defense was assured, Canada could focus on sending soldiers and supplies to Britain.
The Good Allies
As Cook writes, “the wartime necessity of supporting Britain had driven Canada into the U.S. sphere of influence. Defending North America had required military cooperation and, occasionally, interoperability of armed forces along the borders and the coasts. Defense production had entangled many sectors of the two economies, creating interconnections that were impossible to sever at war’s end.”
Cook cites numerous examples of Canada and the United States working hand in glove to further the defeat of the Axis powers.
Indeed, Canada, Cook argues, was an effective, reliable, responsible ally whose sacrifices were not always fully appreciated by Britain and the United States, who often treated the Dominion as a junior partner.
Despite these slights, Canada never wavered in its war effort, its commitment to supporting Britain and working with the U.S.
For example, even as Nazi German U-boats forced the closing of the St. Lawrence River to Allied shipping, the Royal Canadian Navy sent 17 warships to participate in Operation Torch, the American-led invasion of North Africa.
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Canada, Cook says, “often sacrificed its own safety and security to serve on multiple fronts in support of its allies, Britain and the United States, in the common war against the Axis powers.”
Cook depicts the Battle of the Atlantic and the exploits of the First Special Service Force, topics that have recently been addressed in popular histories.
Because of the Second World War, Canada entered the postwar period thoroughly integrated into the American system. Links with Britain were diminished. This was a reorientation of Canada’s place in the world, and Cook shows how it happened.
Although Cook does not cite it, the observation of economic historian H.A. Innis is appropriate: Canada “moved from colony to nation to colony.”
Graeme Voyer is a Winnipeg writer.
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Publish date : 2024-09-27 21:02:00
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