Conflict and Compromise

Conflict and Compromise is a comprehensive, opinionated, thoughtful, and, ultimately, essential textbook of Canadian history. Its narrative approach is ideal for survey courses, giving students the year-by-year and issue-by-issue historical context with which they can make sense of the nation's past. Always judicious in their assessments, the authors also aren't afraid to take a stand. An ideal introduction to Canada's history. -- Christopher Dummit, Trent University With and engaging style and clear presentation, Conflict and Compromise incorporates the latest research and deftly balances political, social, economic, and cultural histpory in its account of Canada's past. Successes are noted alongside failures, and individual flaws alongside individual aspirations. More than this, it links the past with the present so that students may understand that Canadian history is a dynamic force. Conflict and Compromise justifies the complexity of Canadian history inasmuch as it validates Canada's place in the world. -- Stephanie Bangarth, King's University College, Western University

Driven by its strong narrative, Conflict and Compromise presents Canadian history chronologically, allowing a better understanding of the interrelationships between events.

Driven by its strong narrative, Conflict and Compromise presents Canadian history chronologically, allowing a better understanding of the interrelationships between events. Its main objective is to demonstrate that although Canadian history has been marked by cleavages and conflicts, there has been a continual process of negotiation and a need for compromise which has enabled Canada to develop into arguably one of the most successful and pluralistic countries in the world. The authors have drawn from all genres characterizing the present state of Canadian historiography, including social, military, cultural, political, and economic approaches. In doing so their aim is to challenge readers to engage with debates and interpretations about the past rather than simply to study for an exam.

The first volume begins with the history of Canada's Indigenous inhabitants prior to the arrival of Europeans and ends with the nation-building project that got underway iun 1864. The book is illustrated with over 50 images, maps, and figures, all designed to support its mission to provoke intellectual curiosity.