Evolution of Newfoundland and Labrador under British, American, or Independent Rule?

Newfoundland and Labrador had almost no population by the late 40s, and were completely broke. The were a cash drain on Britain and had a variety of different ways they could have gone. Some were fine with British rule, some Canada, some America, and some independent. Obviously, they got Canada OTL.

How would they have done in the other directions?

If Independent, would they economically parallel Iceland, perhaps?

If ruled by the US, would they develop like Maine and New England, perhaps with a little Alaska mixed in? Probably voting Democrat most elections, but not every time.

If ruled by Britain? Could this perhaps become an interesting place to move for for people from Britain, given that it has like .5% of the UK’s population density and lots of wildlife and natural beauty that don’t exist in the UK? Having a border between the UK and Canada, and a British territory that Americans can drive to would be interesting.


Thoughts?
 
They'd definitely be like Iceland if independent, with a huge reliance on fishing and energy. In the US, I don't think they'd be too much like New England. The main economic driver is mining and energy from Labrador, which doesn't have a parallel in New England. There would also be a much heavier reliance on fishing than in Maine. The military would also be a huge factor, since Newfoundland has a strategic location for the United States--the Newfoundland Regiment would be incorporated into the National Guard. But like Maine, there would be a very important timber industry and related products. Politically I think Newfoundland would have similar trends to New Hampshire and Maine, with the Republican Party gradually losing strength over the decades but still very powerful at the state level.
 
The point of divergence is slightly before 1900 but Dan1988's timeline The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies has a Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes the District of Ungava, that remains a part of the UK. It's been on hold for a bit but there's been some recent noise about it starting up again, either way it's well worth a read.
 
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