Product Description

The relationship between Canada and France has always been complicated by the Canadian federal governments relations with Quebec. In this first study of Franco-Canadian relations during the Second World War, Olivier Courteaux demonstrates how Canadas wartime foreign policy was shaped by the countrys internal divides.As Courteaux shows, Quebecs vocal nationalist minority came to openly support Frances fascist Vichy regime and resented Canadas involvement in a British war, while English Canada was largely sympathetic to de Gaulles Free French movement and accepted its duty to aid embattled Mother Britain. Meanwhile, on the world stage, Canada deftly juggled ties with both French factions to appease Great Britain and the United States before eventually giving full support to the Free French movement.Courteaux concludes this extensively detailed study by illustrating Canadas vital role in helping France reassert its position on the global stage after 1944. Filled with international intrigue and larger-than-life characters, adds greatly to our comprehension of Canadas foreign relations and political history.