Canada and the Transition to Commonwealth : British-Canadian Relations 1917–1926

Abstract

This book studies the relations between Britain and Canada from the end of the First World War to the Imperial Conference of 1926. It is concerned principally with the problems of imperial co-operation and consultation in foreign affairs and defence policy, and with the pressures developing out of these problems to reformulate the constitutional relations of Britain and her dominions. In the course of examining Canadian attempts to redefine empire–commonwealth relationships this book also throws fresh light on the evolution of British attitudes to the dominions during these years. Often there were serious policy disagreements in Whitehall - the Colonial Office preferring to conciliate, the Foreign Office to challenge the overseas governments - and Dr Wigley, with close attention to official and private papers, shows clearly that developments in this period owed far more to Britain's own responses and priorities than has been previously realised.