Britain's past in Canada: The teaching and writing of British history

By Paul T. Phillips

British history has traditionally been accorded a special place inthe curricula of Canadian schools and universities. When universitieswere established in the last century, Canada was still regarded as partof the greater British nation, and knowledge of British history was aprerequisite for good citizenship. Even before the establishment offormal history departments, British historical studies existed as aseparate subject. In this book, Paul Phillips traces the position of British historyin the universities and shows how Canada's changing relationshipwith Britain has affected the history curriculum. In the earlytwentieth century, Canadian history began to develop as a distinctfield, often linked, however, with British history since the twosubjects were frequently taught by the same person. The Britishbackground and training of many academics also ensured the continuingimportance of British history at most universities until the 1950s. In the 1960s and 1970s the growth of nationalistic sentiment, ethnicchanges in the population, and the loosening of Empire and Commonwealthties contributed to the diminished interest in British historyresulting in Canadian history becoming a separate area of study. Britain's Past in Canada provides a unique perspective onCanada's evolving cultural identity. Many of the historiansdiscussed -- among them Sir Daniel Wilson, Goldwin Smith, FrankUnderhill, Bertie Wilkinson, and A.R.M. Lower -- were public figuresdeeply committed to various causes of the day. In addition, manyCanadian historians living abroad added to the intellectual life ofCanada and the English-speaking world through their work.Phillips's examination of their neglected contributions brings newinsights into Canadian studies outside Canada.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0774803320
• ISBN13: 9780774803328
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: University of British Columbia Press
• Length: 187 Pages
• Weight: 1.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.0" x 9.0"