“This was not the time for this type of 1890 imperialism”: Cryolite, Control, and Canada-US Relations over Greenland, 1940
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25071/2561-5467.825Keywords:
Second World War, Greenland, Canada-US Relations, cryoliteAbstract
This article is drawn from the unpublished second volume of Gordon Smith’s magnum opus, A Historical and Legal Study of Sovereignty in the Canadian North and Related Law of the Sea Problems. Edited and introduced by P. Whitney Lackenbauer, this article explores Canada-United States relations over Greenland in 1940, particularly whether Canada or the United States would secure de facto control over Greenland and its unique supply of cryolite, essential for the production of aluminum at that time. In doing so, Smith contributes to our understanding of how competing interests and priorities made Greenland a site of rivalry and ultimately compromise between Second World War allies.
Cet article est tiré du deuxième volume inédit du grand ouvrage de Gordon Smith, intitulé A Historical and Legal Study of Sovereignty in the Canadian North and Related Law of the Sea Problems. Édité et présenté par P. Whitney Lackenbauer, cet extrait traite des relations canado-américaines relatives au Groenland en 1940, en particulier du contrôle de fait éventuel par le Canada ou les États-Unis du Groenland et de son unique approvisionnement en cryolite, essentielle à la production d’aluminium à l’époque. Ainsi, Smith nous aide à mieux comprendre la façon dont les priorités et les intérêts divergents ont fait du Groenland un site de rivalité et, en fin de compte, de compromis entre les alliés de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
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