The Role of History and MythThe Role of History and Mythin the Politics of the Atlantic in the Politics of the Atlantic

ProvincesProvinces

Dr. D BrownDr. D Brown

Pols 322Pols 322

Fall term 2010Fall term 2010

OutlineOutline

►Significance of historical geography for Significance of historical geography for understanding contemporary Atlantic understanding contemporary Atlantic CanadaCanada

►Confederation and its interpretationConfederation and its interpretation►Evolving economic trends and the Evolving economic trends and the

political response (Acheson and political response (Acheson and Rawlyk readings)Rawlyk readings)

► Interplay of history and mythInterplay of history and myth

Historical GeographyHistorical Geography

►What are some determining features What are some determining features of geographyof geography

►Who was here first? How did they live?Who was here first? How did they live?►Why did the settlers come to the Why did the settlers come to the

Atlantic provinces? What kind of Atlantic provinces? What kind of economy did they pursue?economy did they pursue?

►How have differing forms of political How have differing forms of political and economic integration transformed and economic integration transformed the region?the region?

Determining Geographic Determining Geographic FeaturesFeatures

►Proximity to Europe, northeast AtlanticProximity to Europe, northeast Atlantic►Marginal position in relation in Marginal position in relation in

continental heartland continental heartland ►Exceptionally broad continental shelf Exceptionally broad continental shelf

(fisheries, oil and gas)(fisheries, oil and gas)►Extension north of Appalachian Extension north of Appalachian

highlands: forests, agriculture, some highlands: forests, agriculture, some mineralsminerals

► Isolation of islands, peninsulasIsolation of islands, peninsulas

Colonial era settlement and Colonial era settlement and economy (to about 1850)economy (to about 1850)

►Nomadic aboriginal life gradually declinesNomadic aboriginal life gradually declines►Agricultural and fisheries-based Agricultural and fisheries-based

settlement by French, New Englanders, settlement by French, New Englanders, Scots, Irish, Loyalists and othersScots, Irish, Loyalists and others

►Military significance of HalifaxMilitary significance of Halifax►Growing importance of trade, shipping, Growing importance of trade, shipping,

financefinance

Confederation era economyConfederation era economy(1850-80)(1850-80)

►Continued development of primary, Continued development of primary, rural-based economy (farm, fish, rural-based economy (farm, fish, forests)forests)

►Rise of iron, steel and coal industriesRise of iron, steel and coal industries►Still important shipbuilding and Still important shipbuilding and

international trade (Atlantic triangle)international trade (Atlantic triangle)►Rise of steam railways, steam ships, Rise of steam railways, steam ships,

and telegraph technology and telegraph technology

Themes in Acheson article …1Themes in Acheson article …1►Relative success of British migration and Relative success of British migration and

capital in Maritime colonies, c. 1800-1850capital in Maritime colonies, c. 1800-1850►Prosperous economic model based on Prosperous economic model based on

triangular trade, shipping, financetriangular trade, shipping, finance►Growing crisis in 1860s: US civil war, end Growing crisis in 1860s: US civil war, end

of free trade (“reciprocity”) with US, rise of free trade (“reciprocity”) with US, rise of new technologies (e.g. steam power)of new technologies (e.g. steam power)

►Confederation offered a powerful Confederation offered a powerful alternative economic paradigm: east-alternative economic paradigm: east-west trade and developmentwest trade and development

Acheson themes…2Acheson themes…2

►Over time (1880-1920) waves of Over time (1880-1920) waves of consolidation and rationalization consolidation and rationalization effectively de-industrializes the effectively de-industrializes the Maritimes –but resource industries Maritimes –but resource industries remain importantremain important

►Post WW II: Canadian state expands, Post WW II: Canadian state expands, providing both compensation for providing both compensation for unequal development and unequal development and dependence. dependence.

Themes in Rawlyk articleThemes in Rawlyk article

► Paranoia about prospects of Quebec Paranoia about prospects of Quebec separationseparation

► History of political resistance to the union History of political resistance to the union with Canadawith Canada

► Significance of /impotence of regional rhetoric Significance of /impotence of regional rhetoric of alienation from about 1920 onwardsof alienation from about 1920 onwards

► Paradoxical attachment to a united Canada Paradoxical attachment to a united Canada and frustration with perceived role in Canadaand frustration with perceived role in Canada

► Opportunity to think about new alternatives Opportunity to think about new alternatives for political and economic integration.for political and economic integration.

Role of history and mythRole of history and myth►Newfoundland as separate country to Newfoundland as separate country to

1949: still shapes its identity1949: still shapes its identity►Maritimers profoundly ambivalent about Maritimers profoundly ambivalent about

Confederation as such (but not as Confederation as such (but not as Canadians)Canadians)

►Are we now as paranoid and dependent Are we now as paranoid and dependent as Acheson and Rawlyk suggested in as Acheson and Rawlyk suggested in 1977?1977?

►Does blaming Ottawa or Confederation Does blaming Ottawa or Confederation deflect from poor governance or lack of deflect from poor governance or lack of initiative at home?initiative at home?