Canada's First Century

Canada's First Century chronicles the period from Confederation in 1867 through the late 1960s, tracking the nation's political, economic, and social development. The narrative follows Canada's transformation from a British colony to an independent power. The book examines major events including the construction of the transcontinental railway, the world wars, the Great Depression, and postwar prosperity. It focuses on key figures in Canadian politics and business while exploring the shifting relationships between English and French Canada. Through extensive research and documentation, Creighton analyzes Canada's evolving connections with Britain and the United States during this pivotal century. The text incorporates economic data, political documents, and personal accounts to construct a comprehensive view of the era. As a work of Canadian historiography, the book presents a nationalist perspective on the forces that shaped modern Canada, with particular attention to the tensions between centralized federal power and regional interests. The narrative argues for the importance of economic and political independence in the development of Canadian nationhood.

Readers highlight Creighton's detailed research and vivid writing style in examining Canada's development from 1867-1967. Several note his focus on economic and political forces rather than social history. Positive reviews point to: - Clear explanations of complex federal-provincial relations - Strong coverage of railway development and trade policies - Engaging narrative voice that makes history accessible Common criticisms include: - Limited coverage of indigenous peoples and minorities - Anglo-centric perspective that downplays French Canadian experiences - Conservative bias in interpreting historical events - Dense writing in certain policy-focused sections Goodreads: 3.9/5 (43 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) One reviewer on Goodreads notes: "Creighton captures the political tensions but misses the cultural mosaic." An Amazon reviewer states: "Deep research but narrow viewpoint - focuses heavily on British-Canadian institutional development while other perspectives feel like footnotes." Most academic reviewers recommend pairing this with other texts for a more complete view of Canadian history.

The National Dream by Pierre Berton The construction of Canada's transcontinental railway unfolds through political deals, business ventures, and engineering feats that shaped the nation's expansion from 1871 to 1885.

The Empire of the St. Lawrence by Donald Creighton The economic and political development of Canada emerges through the lens of the St. Lawrence River system as a commercial empire from New France to Confederation.

The Birth of Western Canada by George Stanley The transformation of Canada's western territories from fur-trading outposts to settled provinces reveals the tensions between Indigenous peoples, settlers, and eastern interests.

Colony to Nation: A History of Canada by Arthur Lower The evolution of Canadian society from colonial status to nationhood traces the development of political institutions and social structures from 1600 to 1945.

Champlain's Dream by David Hackett Fischer The founding of New France and the origins of modern Canada emerge through the activities, relationships, and vision of Samuel de Champlain.

🍁 Donald Creighton pioneered the "Laurentian thesis" in Canadian historiography, arguing that the St. Lawrence River system was crucial to Canada's development as a nation. 📚 The book was published in 1970, the same year Creighton retired from the University of Toronto after four decades of teaching. 🗓️ While covering Canada's first century (1867-1967), the book controversially criticized the rise of American influence and Quebec nationalism, reflecting Creighton's strong Anglo-Canadian perspective. 👥 Creighton was one of the first Canadian historians to write narrative history in a literary style, earning him the nickname "the Canadian Macaulay" after the famous British historian. 🏆 The book won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction in 1970, one of several major awards Creighton received during his career.