History of Canadian foreign policy

The foreign policies of Canada and its predecessor colonies were under British control until the 20th century. This included wars with the United States in 1775-1783 and 1812–1815. Economic ties with the U.S. were always close. Political tensions arose in the 19th century from anti-British sentiment in the U.S. in the 1860s. Boundary issues caused diplomatic disputes resolved in the 1840s over the Maine boundary and in the early 20th century over the Alaska boundary. There is ongoing discussion regarding the Arctic. Canada-US relations have been friendly in the 20th and 21st centuries.[1]

Canada participated in Britain's wars, especially the Boer war, World War I and World War II. However, there was a bitter dispute between Francophone and Anglophone Canada during the First World War. Canada had its own seat in the League of Nations but played a small role in world affairs until the 1940s. Since then it has been active in NATO, the United Nations, and in promoting its middle-power status into an active role in world affairs.[2]

  1. ^ James, P.; Michaud, N.; O'Reilly, M. (2006). Handbook of Canadian Foreign Policy. Lexington Books. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-7391-5580-6. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  2. ^ Juneau, T.; Momani, B. (2022). Middle Power in the Middle East: Canada's Foreign and Defence Policies in a Changing Region. University of Toronto Press. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-4875-2847-8. Retrieved 2023-02-26.