Cold War limits: Communist China in Canadian-American relations, 1957--1963

This thesis contributes to the growing revisionist literature concerning the external affairs record of John Diefenbaker's Progressive Conservative government by focusing upon the effect US policy had on the development of Sino-Canadian relations. Early writings argued that incompetence and anti-Americanism governed Diefenbaker's conduct of Canada's external policies. Recent examinations demonstrate, however, that the Progressive Conservative government continued its predecessor's policies in a number of areas, effectively worked with American authorities, and that early writings have unfairly focused upon personality conflicts in Diefenbaker's relationship with American officials and disagreements in continental defence. Meanwhile, policy areas in which Ottawa and Washington generally agreed have been ignored.;The thesis utilises a positive interpretation of complex interdependence to demonstrate that in the Cold War environment continental cooperation became both a matter of necessity and preference in relations with Communist China. It also reminds the reader that Diefenbaker was a "Cold Warrior.";Keywords: Canada-China relations, 1957-63; Canada-US relations, 1957-63; Canadian external relations, 1957-63; Canadian foreign trade policy, 1957-63; Canadian historiography; US China policy; Cold War history; Recognition; United Nations; Extraterritoriality.;Sino-Canadian relations are an example of such an area that has not been properly examined by specialists of Diefenbaker's external policies. Such disinterest is disappointing given the topics contemporary popularity and the problems surrounding the existence of two competing Chinese governments. The People's Republic of China's existence required that Canada formulate policy on the problem of according diplomatic recognition, the question of Chinese representation in the UN, the future of Formosa (Taiwan), and cross-bloc trade. In all of these, Diefenbaker cooperated with American officials, and both Ottawa and Washington overcame difficulties in Sino-Canadian trade which arose from American trade restrictions towards mainland China.