Dominion over Palm and Pine: a history of Canadian aspirations in the British Caribbean

Abstract

The historical analysis of the pursuit of geopolitical power and influence of Western middle powers as well as their contribution to the preservation of white racial dominance is of critical importance in understanding the dynamics of this current era of globalisation that has led to the sharp divide between the global north and south. Paula Hastings’ Dominion over Palm and Pine centres on the case of Canada, as it incrementally challenged the status quo established by Western powers in the English-speaking Caribbean throughout the last quarter of the 19th century and into the 21st century. Her description of the failed aspirations of Canadian ‘unionist’ politicians and business leaders interested in annexing parts of the Caribbean sheds light on this overlooked aspect of Canada’s long-term nation building and economic development goals, an analysis that has been overshadowed by the conventional historical narrative of Canada as a ‘peaceable kingdom’. Hastings argues that the never-ending aspiration of the consolidation of an ‘overseas maritime province’ (p. 217) was, and continues to be, ‘extinguished’ (p. 212) by powerful interests in Canada that remain deeply concerned about issues of racial integration that could result from territorial expansion into the Caribbean. In doing so, her work challenges the U.S. and British-centric narratives of imperialism, thus contributing to a more holistic vision of the social, economic, international, and political history of the Caribbean, while shedding light on the expansionist desires of middle powers