Changes

====Joining Canada====

====Joining Canada====

As soon as prosperity returned (in 1942), agitation began to end the Commission. Newfoundland, with a population of 313,000 (plus 5,200 in Labrador), seemed too small to be independent.  Joseph "Joey" Smallwood (1900–91) was a well-known radio personality, writer and organizer; he was a nationalist who long had criticized British rule. In 1945 London announced that a National Convention would be elected in Newfoundland to advise on what constitutional choices should to be voted on by referendum. Union with the United States was a possibility, but London rejected the option and offered instead two options, return to dominion status or continuation of the unpopular Commission.  Canada issued an invitation to join it on generous financial terms.  Smallwood was elected to the convention where he became the leading proponent of confederation with Canada, insisting, "Today we are more disposed to feel that our very manhood, our very creation by God, entitles us to standards of life no lower than our brothers on the mainland." Displaying a mastery of propaganda technique, courage and ruthlessness, he succeeded in having the Canada option on the ballot.  His main opponents were Peter J. Cashin and Chesley A. Crosbie. Cashin, a former finance minister, led the Responsible Government League, warning against cheap Canadian imports and the high Canadian income tax. Crosbie, a leader of the fishing industry, led the Economic Unionists, seeking responsible government first, to be followed by closer ties with the United States, which could be a major source of capital. Smallwood carried his cause in a hard-fought referendum and a runoff in June-July 1948 as the decision to join Canada (rather than become an independent dominion) carried 77,869, as against 71,464, or 52.3%. A strong rural vote in favor of Canada overwhelmed the pro-independence vote in the capital of St. John's. The Irish Catholics in the city desired independence in order to protect their parochial schools, leading to a Protestant backlash in rural areas.<ref> The Catholic schools were nationalized in 1998 over strong Catholic objections. See John Edward Fitzgerald, "Archbishop E. P. Roche, J. R. Smallwood, and Denominational Rights in Newfoundland Education, 1948." ''Historical Studies: Canadian Catholic Historical Association'' 1999 65: 28-49. Issn: 1193-1981 </ref>  The promise of cash family allowances from Canada proved decisive.   

As soon as prosperity returned (in 1942), agitation began to end the Commission. Newfoundland, with a population of 313,000 (plus 5,200 in Labrador), seemed too small to be independent.  [[Joey Smallwood|Joseph "Joey" Smallwood]] (1900–91) was a well-known radio personality, writer and organizer; he was a nationalist who long had criticized British rule. In 1945 London announced that a National Convention would be elected in Newfoundland to advise on what constitutional choices should to be voted on by referendum. Union with the United States was a possibility, but London rejected the option and offered instead two options, return to dominion status or continuation of the unpopular Commission.  Canada issued an invitation to join it on generous financial terms.  Smallwood was elected to the convention where he became the leading proponent of confederation with Canada, insisting, "Today we are more disposed to feel that our very manhood, our very creation by God, entitles us to standards of life no lower than our brothers on the mainland." Displaying a mastery of propaganda technique, courage and ruthlessness, he succeeded in having the Canada option on the ballot.  His main opponents were Peter J. Cashin and Chesley A. Crosbie. Cashin, a former finance minister, led the Responsible Government League, warning against cheap Canadian imports and the high Canadian income tax. Crosbie, a leader of the fishing industry, led the Economic Unionists, seeking responsible government first, to be followed by closer ties with the United States, which could be a major source of capital. Smallwood carried his cause in a hard-fought referendum and a runoff in June-July 1948 as the decision to join Canada (rather than become an independent dominion) carried 77,869, as against 71,464, or 52.3%. A strong rural vote in favor of Canada overwhelmed the pro-independence vote in the capital of St. John's. The Irish Catholics in the city desired independence in order to protect their parochial schools, leading to a Protestant backlash in rural areas.<ref> The Catholic schools were nationalized in 1998 over strong Catholic objections. See John Edward Fitzgerald, "Archbishop E. P. Roche, J. R. Smallwood, and Denominational Rights in Newfoundland Education, 1948." ''Historical Studies: Canadian Catholic Historical Association'' 1999 65: 28-49. Issn: 1193-1981 </ref>  The promise of cash family allowances from Canada proved decisive.   

According to the terms, Newfoundland would again have its own legislature and full local self-government, as well as seven members of the Canadian House of Commons. Canada assumed the Newfoundland debt of $63 million and and in return Canada would keep the income, corporation, and customs revenue. Newfoundlanders would immediately get Canadian welfare benefits and the province would be paid about $3 million annually, plus a transitional grant, starting at $6.5 million then phasing out over 12 years. "We are all Canadians now," exculted one minister; "Now it can truly be said that Canada stretches from sea to sea."<ref> Om Smallwood see Harold Howood, ''Joey'' (1989) and Richard Gwyn,  ''Smallwood: The Unlikely Revolutionary'' (1968)</ref>  

According to the terms, Newfoundland would again have its own legislature and full local self-government, as well as seven members of the Canadian House of Commons. Canada assumed the Newfoundland debt of $63 million and and in return Canada would keep the income, corporation, and customs revenue. Newfoundlanders would immediately get Canadian welfare benefits and the province would be paid about $3 million annually, plus a transitional grant, starting at $6.5 million then phasing out over 12 years. "We are all Canadians now," exculted one minister; "Now it can truly be said that Canada stretches from sea to sea."<ref> Om Smallwood see Harold Howood, ''Joey'' (1989) and Richard Gwyn,  ''Smallwood: The Unlikely Revolutionary'' (1968)</ref>  

====Smallwood era====

====Smallwood era====

Smallwood was elected the Liberal party premier of Newfoundland (1949 to 1972), as the demoralized anti-confederates became the provincial wing of the Progressive Conservative Party.  Smallwood's style was autocratic and highly personalized, as he totally controlled his party. He vigorously promoted promoted economic development through the Economic Development Plan of 1951, championed the welfare state (paid for by Ottawa), and attracted favorable attention across Canada.  He emphasized modernization of education and transportation in order to attract outsiders, such as German industrialists, because the local economic elite would not invest in industrial development.  Smallwood dropped his youthful socialism and collaborated with bankers, and became hostile to the militant unions that sponsored numerous strikes. His efforts to promote industrialization were a mixed bag, with great success primarily in hydroelectricity, iron mining and paper mills.  He upgraded the small Memorial University College in St John's, to Memorial University in 1949, with free tuition and a cash salary for students.

[[Joey Smallwood]] was elected the Liberal party premier of Newfoundland (1949 to 1972), as the demoralized anti-confederates became the provincial wing of the Progressive Conservative Party.  Smallwood's style was autocratic and highly personalized, as he totally controlled his party. He vigorously promoted promoted economic development through the Economic Development Plan of 1951, championed the welfare state (paid for by Ottawa), and attracted favorable attention across Canada.  He emphasized modernization of education and transportation in order to attract outsiders, such as German industrialists, because the local economic elite would not invest in industrial development.  Smallwood dropped his youthful socialism and collaborated with bankers, and became hostile to the militant unions that sponsored numerous strikes. His efforts to promote industrialization were a mixed bag, with great success primarily in hydroelectricity, iron mining and paper mills.  He upgraded the small Memorial University College in St John's, to Memorial University in 1949, with free tuition and a cash salary for students.

*  Canada, Government of. ''Newfoundland . An Introduction to Canada's New Province'' (1950), 142p., useful short history[http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/nfldhistory/NewfoundlandHistory.htm online edition]

*  Canada, Government of. ''Newfoundland . An Introduction to Canada's New Province'' (1950), 142p., useful short history[http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/nfldhistory/NewfoundlandHistory.htm online edition]

* Conrad, Margaret, and James Hiller. ''Atlantic Canada: A Concise History'' (2006).

* Conrad, Margaret, and James Hiller. ''Atlantic Canada: A Concise History'' (2006).

* Hempstead, Andrew. ''Frommer's Newfoundland and Labrador'' (2010) [http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Newfoundland-Labrador/dp/047073678X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254071690&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search 2006 edition]   

* Hempstead, Andrew. ''Frommer's Newfoundland and Labrador'' (2010) [http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Newfoundland-Labrador/dp/047073678X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254071690&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search 2006 edition]   

* Jackson, Lawrence. ''Newfoundland & Labrador'' (1998)     

* Jackson, Lawrence. ''Newfoundland & Labrador'' (1998)     

* Smallwood, Joseph, et al. eds. ''The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador'' (5 vol 1981-94) 3900 pages; available on cd-rom [http://www.cuff.com/enl/Anext.htm portions online]   

* Smallwood, Joseph, et al. eds. ''The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador'' (5 vol 1981-94) 3900 pages; available on cd-rom [http://www.cuff.com/enl/Anext.htm portions online]   

* Walls, Martha, and John MacIntyre. ''Newfoundland and Labrador Book of Everything'' (2006)   

* Walls, Martha, and John MacIntyre. ''Newfoundland and Labrador Book of Everything'' (2006)   

[[Category:Islands]][[Category:Canadian Provinces]]

[[Category:Islands]][[Category:Canadian Provinces]]

[[Category:British Empire]]

[[Category:British Empire]]

[[Canada;Canada]]

[[category: Canada]]