The years when John Diefenbaker’s Progressive Conservatives were in
office were among the most tumultuous in Canadian history. Variously
branded as a populist, maverick, and “Rogue Tory,” Diefenbaker
came to power on a surge of optimistic nationalism in 1957. By the
time of his electoral defeat in 1963 he had stirred up more
controversy than any previous prime minister. This was nowhere more
apparent than in his handling of international affairs, particularly
Canada’s relationship with the United States. This book reassesses
foreign policy in the Diefenbaker era to determine whether its
failures can be mainly attributed to the prime minister’s
personality traits, particularly his indecisiveness, or whether
broader underlying shifts in world affairs were to blame. Written by
leading scholars who mine new sources of archival research, the
chapters examine the full range of international issues that
confronted Diefenbaker and his ministers and probe the factors that
led to success or failure, decision or indecision, on specific issues.
The introduction and conclusion set these case studies in the broader
context of world events during the 1950s and ’60s. Together, the
chapters in this book demonstrate that underlying structural changes
were largely responsible for the extraordinary tumultuousness of the
Diefenbaker era. Rather than dismissing him as a “Rogue Tory” on
the world stage, this fascinating reconsideration of the Diefenbaker
years challenges readers to push beyond the conventional and reassess
his record with fresh eyes.
Les mer
Canadian Foreign Relations in the Diefenbaker Era
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780774838153
Publisert
2021
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
University of British Columbia Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter