Canada's odyssey : a country based on incomplete conquests / Peter H. Russell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Russell, Peter H., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Canada--History.

Canada.

History.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

viii, 535 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Toronto : University of Toronto Press, [2017]

Summary:

"150 years after Confederation, Canada is known around the world for its social diversity and its commitment to principles of multiculturalism. But the road to contemporary Canada is a winding one, a story of division and conflict as well as union and accommodation. In Canada's Odyssey, renowned scholar Peter H. Russell provides an expansive, accessible account of Canadian history from the pre-Confederation period to the present day. By focusing on what he calls the "three pillars" of English Canada, French Canada, and Aboriginal Canada, Russell advances an important view of our country as one founded on and informed by "incomplete conquests." It is the very incompleteness of these conquests that have made Canada what it is today, not just a multicultural society but a multinational one. Featuring the scope and vivid characterizations of an epic novel, Canada's Odyssey is a magisterial work by an astute observer of Canadian politics and history, a perfect book to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Confederation."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part one. The founding pillars

The incomplete conquest of New France

The founding treaty with native peoples

Making English-speaking Canada

Part two. Trying to complete the conquests

Three wars and three betrayals lead to the subjugation of His Majesty's Indian allies

Rebellions and the plan to assimilate French Canada

Part three. Confederation

English Canada gets a dominion, French Canada gets a province, and Aboriginal Canada gets left out

Part four. The three pillars to the Second World War

The colonization of indigenous Canada

The provincialization of French Canada

The nationalization of English Canada

Part five. Transformation of the pillars

Quebec becomes constitutionally radical

Aboriginal peoples get a hearing

English Canada becomes multicultural

Part six. Seeking a constitutional fix

Patriation: Quebec's loss, Aboriginal gains

The end of mega constitutional politics?

The three pillars continue their odyssey.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 493-511) and index.

ISBN:

1487502044

9781487502041

OCLC:

961002757