Challenge: Make Newfoundland a US state
- Thread starter Fabilius
- Start date
Super Parker Brothers
Banned
Have them buy it at the point where they were bankrupt and gave up their own status as a dominion. Or maybe have it be after WWII with them refusing to join Canada. Maybe they join the US, as they had gotten an economic rebound with all the Americans. Lots of mingling too.
Let's say Newfoundland votes in 1948 to restore responsible government int he first and only referendum vote, meaning it is an independent dominion, rather joining Canada. For whatever reason, the votes are greater in this timeline. Soon after, Newfoundland decides to enter into a customs union with the United States, which the US agrees to. The hope is that direct involvement with the greater US economy will allow the Dominion of Newfoundland to avoid the issues that caused it to be ruled by London in 1934.
This status lasts about a decade, and Newfoundlanders see more and more benefits in becoming a state so that it can directly affect US policy. The customs union has caused a boom in the Newfoundland economy, and more people believe statehood would confer even more benefits. Plus the presence of American bases (a legacy of WWII and now the Cold War) along with American investment sees more natives and Americans comingle and marry.
After Hawaii and Alaska become states, the political climate in the US becomes amenable to the issue due to a patriotic high. After much debate and negotiation, Newfoundland and the US sign a treaty in the early 1960s that sees Newfoundland enter as a state in the union.
The next two decades causes strain due to the Vietnam War and American racial problems. Many Newfoundlanders question whether it was a good idea. But by the 1980s, things have settled down and a new generation has been raised only knowing American citizenship. Proud of their previous status as an independent dominion, Newfoundlanders have a reputation of being something like Texas but more in tune with northern culture.
Because of its status as a state, Americans get use to the idea of 6 major time zones (Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic (for Labrador and Puerto Rico, and Newfoundland) for the continental US - ignoring Alaska and Hawaii like normal.
This status lasts about a decade, and Newfoundlanders see more and more benefits in becoming a state so that it can directly affect US policy. The customs union has caused a boom in the Newfoundland economy, and more people believe statehood would confer even more benefits. Plus the presence of American bases (a legacy of WWII and now the Cold War) along with American investment sees more natives and Americans comingle and marry.
After Hawaii and Alaska become states, the political climate in the US becomes amenable to the issue due to a patriotic high. After much debate and negotiation, Newfoundland and the US sign a treaty in the early 1960s that sees Newfoundland enter as a state in the union.
The next two decades causes strain due to the Vietnam War and American racial problems. Many Newfoundlanders question whether it was a good idea. But by the 1980s, things have settled down and a new generation has been raised only knowing American citizenship. Proud of their previous status as an independent dominion, Newfoundlanders have a reputation of being something like Texas but more in tune with northern culture.
Because of its status as a state, Americans get use to the idea of 6 major time zones (Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic (for Labrador and Puerto Rico, and Newfoundland) for the continental US - ignoring Alaska and Hawaii like normal.
I don´t know about how´d it would effect Canadian politics, since I know not too much. Quebec could have an even bigger sway maybe?
(Could be an interesting TL where Newfoundland joins US, and Quebec becomes independent, making Canada a very different country).
US presidential elections as well as senate dynamics might change slightly. It could have lots of butterflies.
Newfoundland island itself; it's 1/2 hour off Atlantic time.
The divergence point would probably be the referendum. One possibility would be an Alaska purchase by the United States to aid a debt ridden Britain or possibly something similar to the lease agreement for air bases made in 1940 for 50 obsolete destroyers only for financial aid rather than military aid. The Attlee government faces a sterling crisis and Sir Goron Macdonald is sent to supervise the referendum but doesn't push for union with Canada. Nwefoundland rejects union and is back in administration. Britain does a deal subject to a referendum and Macdonald does everything to ensure a yes vote for statehood
I think he means the US buying all or part of Newfoundland, like the Caribbean bases. Very unlikely, and not a good comparison.
I wonder would the new State of Newfoundland (& Labrador) abopt a "presidential" system of government (ie a directly elected governor who's not linked to the Legislature) like every other state? All the US Constitution requires of a state government is that it be "republican" in form; that does not preclude a parliamentary setup. Newfoundland could still have a Premier who's the head of the largest party in the House of Assembly, & a Governor with strictly ceremonial duties (obviously they'd need to come up with a new way of picking the Governor). Or they could just abolish the office completely and split it's role between the Premier, Chief Justice, & Speaker of the HoA.
I like that way of thinking.
It could be like a European state within the US. And southern conservatives would probably occasionally refrain: They aren´t real americans!
Yeah, I don't see why they would change their parliamentary system. Would make for some interesting flavor.