A timely read for Canadians. The archives remind us that sovereignty isn’t abstract — it’s maintained through decisions that can look procedural in the moment, but matter when pressure arrives. Different era, familiar tactics. The history holds up, and the reminder feels well-placed.
If Canada manages to survive the current government, I suspect historians of the future will take a very dim view of numerous choices made, to say the least.
Although not specifically part of your read, I recall Henri Bourassa questioning why Canada was sending troops without question to South Africa circa 1899 as a subservient move to the British government, the Chanak crisis, Mackenzie King telling Britain Canada would vote on entering world war 2. And thank goodness for the Statute of Westminster!
A timely read for Canadians. The archives remind us that sovereignty isn’t abstract — it’s maintained through decisions that can look procedural in the moment, but matter when pressure arrives. Different era, familiar tactics. The history holds up, and the reminder feels well-placed.
If Canada manages to survive the current government, I suspect historians of the future will take a very dim view of numerous choices made, to say the least.
I wonder what the current era cables would reveal and who they would be sent by. Interesting read.
An excellent article!
Although not specifically part of your read, I recall Henri Bourassa questioning why Canada was sending troops without question to South Africa circa 1899 as a subservient move to the British government, the Chanak crisis, Mackenzie King telling Britain Canada would vote on entering world war 2. And thank goodness for the Statute of Westminster!