CANADA HISTORY - Politics-Provinces
POLITICS - NEWFOUNDLAND
Newfoundland’s history is one that stretches back deep into prehistory, a rugged land at the easternmost edge of North America that has long shaped the lives of its inhabitants. Before the arrival of Europeans, the island was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Maritime Archaic, the Dorset culture, and later the Beothuk. Archaeological evidence shows that the Maritime Archaic people inhabited Newfoundland as far back as 5,000 years ago, hunting seals, caribou, and fish along its rocky shores. The Dorset people, skilled hunters who thrived in the cold, lived in the northern parts of Newfoundland, leaving behind sophisticated tools and carvings. The Beothuk, who arrived later, developed a distinct way of life centered around the island’s rich resources of salmon, seals, and seabirds. Their red ochre body paint became a defining feature of their culture, symbolizing their spiritual connection to the land. Tragically, the Beothuk would disappear by the early 19th century, victims of disease, displacement, and conflict with European settlers.
The first Europeans to set foot on Newfoundland’s shores were the Norse, who established a short-lived settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows around the year 1000. This Norse outpost, the only known Viking settlement in North America, lasted only a few years but remains a testament to Newfoundland’s role as the meeting place of two worlds—Europe and the Americas. The Norse soon abandoned the settlement, and it would be nearly five centuries before Europeans returned.
In 1497, the Italian explorer John Cabot, sailing under the English flag, reached Newfoundland’s shores, claiming the land for England. Cabot’s discovery opened the door to European exploration, and by the early 16th century, European fishing fleets from Portugal, France, Spain, and England were regularly visiting Newfoundland’s rich fishing grounds. The Grand Banks, just off the coast, teemed with cod, and soon the waters around Newfoundland became some of the most valuable fishing grounds in the world. Fishermen from Europe established temporary settlements along the coast, drying and salting their catch before returning to Europe.
It was England that would ultimately stake the strongest claim to Newfoundland. In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert formally claimed the island for England, planting a flag at St. John’s, which became one of the first English colonies in the New World. Despite this claim, Newfoundland remained largely a seasonal fishing outpost for much of the 17th century, with settlers and fishermen returning to Europe during the harsh winters. It was not until the late 1600s that permanent settlements began to take root, with St. John’s emerging as the primary settlement and a hub of British colonial activity.
The 18th century saw Newfoundland embroiled in the imperial conflicts between Britain and France. Both powers sought to control the island’s valuable fisheries, leading to repeated clashes during the Anglo-French wars. France retained control of the small islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon off Newfoundland’s southern coast, but the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 confirmed British control over the rest of the island. Newfoundland’s status as a British colony was solidified, and St. John’s became a key naval and commercial center in the North Atlantic.
The 19th century brought significant political and social changes to Newfoundland. The island’s population grew as settlers from England, Ireland, and Scotland arrived, drawn by the promise of land and the thriving fishing industry. Newfoundland’s economy was almost entirely based on the cod fishery, with fishing villages dotting the coastline and providing a livelihood for thousands of families. However, the colony’s economy was vulnerable to fluctuations in the fish markets and the dangers of life on the sea.
Politically, Newfoundland began to push for greater self-governance. In 1832, the British government granted Newfoundland representative government, allowing elected representatives to sit in the colony’s House of Assembly. This was a major step forward in Newfoundland’s political development, giving the island’s residents a greater say in their own affairs. The colony’s political landscape was dominated by debates over economic policy, the management of the fishery, and the question of responsible government, which was finally achieved in 1855.
Despite these advances, Newfoundland’s economy remained precarious, heavily reliant on the cod fishery and subject to the whims of international markets. The late 19th century brought new economic opportunities, as the colony began to exploit its rich natural resources, including timber and minerals. The construction of the Newfoundland Railway, completed in 1898, opened up the interior of the island, allowing for greater economic development and the growth of new industries.
The 20th century was a time of profound transformation for Newfoundland. The First World War had a devastating impact on the island, as thousands of Newfoundlanders enlisted to fight for the British Empire. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, which fought bravely at battles like Beaumont-Hamel during the Battle of the Somme, suffered heavy losses, and the war left a lasting scar on Newfoundland’s collective memory.
In the aftermath of the war, Newfoundland faced severe economic challenges. The global depression of the 1930s hit the island hard, and in 1933, Newfoundland’s government, facing bankruptcy, suspended self-government and returned to direct British rule under the Commission of Government. For the next 15 years, Newfoundland was governed by a commission appointed by the British government, a period of political stagnation and economic hardship.
Newfoundland’s entry into Canada in 1949 was the result of years of debate and negotiation. In the wake of the Second World War, Newfoundland’s political future became a major issue. Some, like former Prime Minister Sir Richard Squires, advocated for a return to self-government, while others, led by businessman Joey Smallwood, argued for joining Canada. Smallwood’s vision of Confederation won out, and in a controversial referendum in 1948, Newfoundlanders voted to become Canada’s tenth province. Smallwood became Newfoundland’s first premier, and his government embarked on an ambitious program of economic modernization, seeking to diversify the island’s economy and reduce its reliance on the fishery.
Under Smallwood’s leadership, Newfoundland underwent significant economic and social change. The construction of large infrastructure projects, such as the Churchill Falls hydroelectric project, brought new industries to the island, while government investment in education and health care helped improve the standard of living for many Newfoundlanders. However, these gains were uneven, and rural areas, particularly those dependent on the fishery, continued to struggle.
The collapse of the cod fishery in the early 1990s was a devastating blow to Newfoundland’s economy. After centuries of overfishing, the cod stocks in the Grand Banks were depleted to the point of near extinction, leading the Canadian government to impose a moratorium on cod fishing in 1992. The moratorium put tens of thousands of Newfoundlanders out of work and marked the end of a way of life that had sustained the island for centuries. The economic and social impact of the fishery’s collapse continues to be felt in Newfoundland today.
Despite these challenges, Newfoundland has remained a resilient province. The discovery of offshore oil in the 1990s brought new wealth to the island, particularly with the development of the Hibernia oil field. The oil industry has become a major driver of the province’s economy, bringing jobs and investment to Newfoundland and Labrador.
In recent years, Newfoundland has also sought to assert its cultural identity within Canada. The province’s rich history, from its Indigenous roots to its status as a British colony and its unique place within Confederation, has shaped a strong sense of pride among Newfoundlanders. The province’s leaders, from Joey Smallwood to modern premiers like Danny Williams, have fought to ensure that Newfoundland’s voice is heard within the Canadian federation, advocating for better resource management and economic support.
Newfoundland’s history is one of endurance, adaptation, and change. From the ancient Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the island to the modern challenges of economic diversification, Newfoundland has navigated centuries of transformation while maintaining its distinct identity. Its leaders, from explorers like John Cabot to political figures like Joey Smallwood, have left their mark on this rugged and resilient province. Today, Newfoundland and Labrador stands as a testament to the power of place, culture, and community in shaping the destiny of a people.
