AHC: Canada absorbs British and French Caribbean
- Thread starter stewacide
- Start date
Cook
Banned
Britain had sovereignty over the island. Australia had business interests in the island and the island had been conquered jointly by forces from all three. What exactly was there to explain?
Err... if the Caribbean joined Canada in the WW2 time period wouldn't that increase further pressure on Newfoundland to join, given trade ties with the Caribbean, Britain's retreat from the Western Hemisphere, Canada's growing power, etc?
I would have bought Newfoundland and Bermuda would be the easiest territories to annex, given their proximity and level of development.
I would have bought Newfoundland and Bermuda would be the easiest territories to annex, given their proximity and level of development.
Giysqun Wilde
Banned
This is one fo those things that inerest me, having Dominions pick up the slack for their former rulers for the small areas. Now, a transaction in which Canadian troops peacefully and slowly move into the places of British regulars in the Americas could move things to the side safely a bit. The Carribean would of course want to keep autonomy if they can't get full representation, which the Canucks would probably agree to, in the manner of the Northwest Territories. The French Islands might be grabbed if Vichy was deemed dangerous, though I imagine the Americans would frown upon all of the expansion, unless they managed to get Newfoundland. I believe the Americans did have one philosphy, though. Once something becomes independent in the Americas, it stays that way, unless annexed by the Yanks. They wouldn't like the looks of the powerplay, unless maybe the British were forced to move many people overseas for some reason.
I honestly find it hard to see. Prior to WW2 Britain was loathed to give up its colonies. Bermuda itself was loathed to be given up. Come to the 1950's and a majority of people in both Canada and the West Indies were opposed to being in the same country. Hell, the majority of citizens and political leaders in the WIF were opposed to being part of the same federation let alone being assimilated as part of an even larger country of which they share limited herritage (well, not that limited but not as much as say Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, for example). Putting idealism aside such a situation would probably be of little benefit to either side save for the West indies perhaps gaining economically (maybe). At best Canada's version of Puerto Rico.
Russell
Russell
In the case of Newfoundland - honestly, with an early enough POD within the OP, I highly doubt that Newfoundland would give into pressure to join Canada. Particularly in this case, where butterflying the disaster that was the Battle of Beaumont Hamel means that Newfoundland has a larger population post-WW1 than OTL, which means that with a larger population Newfoundland could easily stand on its own (after all, it was a Dominion in OTL and is a Dominion in TTL). I could easily see Newfoundland as much as possible retaining its independence (enhanced by the Statute of Westminster). So, in reality, despite being the closest to Canada, Newfoundland would actually be the hardest territory to annex.
I agree - that is why, in my scenario, Bermuda is amongst the last to join.
Apart from that - as much as Britain was loathed to give up its colonies pre-WW2, don't discount the 19th-century efforts in Jamaica and Barbados to join Confederation. Should those two be successful, then that could in reality be the limit of Canada's Caribbean expansion.
Early on, then yes it is a possability. You actually need to have the West indians want to join. Problem is that at that time the West indies were still a major source of income for Britain and they would be loathed to give it up, especially at a time when many were dubious as to whether Canada itself could hold together.
Russell