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Newfoundland |
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When Newfoundland chose not to join
Canadian Confederation in 1867 it had made a decision to
pursue it's own independence within the British Empire.
Although the other Maritime provinces all negotiated
entry into Canada by 1871, Newfoundland was quite
content going it's own way. Between confederation and
the 1940's, Newfoundland and Canada began negotiations
for unity just once, and that was in 1895 and the
incentive and interests of finding an acceptable
agreement for both parties was not high enough to
conclude in Newfoundland's entrance into confederation.
Newfoundland played the part of loyal
British Empire member and contributed heavily to the war
efforts in both the First and Second World Wars. In 1934
under tremendous economic pressure from he conditions of
the Great Depression, the Newfoundland economy cracked
and it was taken back under the wing of Great Britain
for relief and help.
During the Second
World War, thousands of Americans were based in
Newfoundland and their influence played an important
role in the development and attitudes of the
Newfoundlanders during the war. At the conclusion of
hostilities there was a general feeling that
Newfoundland was back on its feet but needed to choose a
new course for its future. The Options were to remain a
protectorate of Great Britain, gain it's independence
and form a country, join the United States or join
Canada.
During the Second
World War the British Governor in Newfoundland reported
that the Newfoundlanders were "so dazzled by the
American dollars, hygiene and efficiency that many of
the public rather play up to America in preference to
Canada" By 1945 he British Government realized that it
would not be able to afford post war support of
Newfoundland and in discussions with Canada, decided to
encourage union with Canada in preference to the United
States. On December 11thh, 1945 a National Convention in
Newfoundland was called to address the issue.
The leader of he pro-confederation forces
was a radio host journalist, Joey Smallwood who believed
that union with Canada would provide Newfoundland with
the best possible economic opportunities, a continuation
of British Parliamentary traditions and a social support
system that would benefit Newfoundlanders more than any
of the other options. A referendum was proposed and
accepted which was to be held in 1948.
The first referendum question in 1948
asked Newfoundlanders to choose between responsible
government, commission government by Britain with very
little help, or tacked on at the last minute by the
British, joining Canadian confederation.
he results of the first referendum of
June 3, 1948 were 41.1% in favour of Canadian
Confederation, 44.6% in favour of responsible government
and 14.3% in favour of continued commission rule by
Britain. The commission option was ruled out as
the one that received the lowest percentage of the vote
and the remaining two were voted on during the July 22
referendum and 52.3 voted for confederation. Most knew
that responsible government really meant the first step
towards joining the United States so Britain and Canada
had won the day and on march 31st, 1949
Newfoundland became the 10th Canadian province and Joey
Smallwood her first Premier. |
