The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United NationsThe Middle Power Project describes a defining period of Canadian and international history. During the Second World War, Canada transformed itself from British dominion to self-proclaimed middle power. It became an active, enthusiastic, and idealistic participant in the creation of one of the longest lasting global institutions of recent times – the United Nations. This was, in many historians’ opinions, the beginning of a golden age in Canadian diplomacy. Chapnick suggests that the golden age may not have been so lustrous. During the UN negotiations, Canadian policymakers were more cautious than idealistic. The civil service was inexperienced and often internally divided. Canada’s significant contributions were generally limited to the much neglected economic and social fields. Nevertheless, creating the UN changed what it meant to be Canadian. Rightly or wrongly, from the establishment of the UN onwards, Canadians would see themselves as leading internationalists. Based on materials not previously available to Canadian scholars, The Middle Power Project presents a critical reassessment of the traditional and widely accepted account of Canada’s role and interests in the formation of the United Nations. It will be be read carefully by historians and political scientists, and will be appreciated by general readers with an interest in Canadian and international history. |
Contents
1 Introduction | 1 |
2 Two Steps Behind Beginnings through January 1942 | 7 |
Canada and the UNRRA January 1942November 1943 | 22 |
Canada and the New Internationalism January 1942November 1943 | 36 |
5 Canada the British Commonwealth and the New World Order February 1943March 1944 | 52 |
6 Forked Roads November 1943July 1944 | 65 |
7 Disappointment at Dumbarton Oaks AprilOctober 1944 | 78 |
8 Middle Power Politics October 1944April 1945 | 95 |
Other editions - View all
The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United Nations Adam Chapnick Limited preview - 2007 |
The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United Nations Adam Chapnick No preview available - 2005 |
The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United Nations Adam Chapnick No preview available - 2006 |