Dominion over palm and pine: A history of Canadian aspirations in the British Caribbean.

"Dominion over palm and pine: A history of Canadian aspirations in the British Caribbean" by Paula Hastings is a transnational history that explores Canada's desire to unite with the British Caribbean colonies. The book examines the economic motivations behind this desire, such as the valuable commodities produced in the Caribbean, as well as the desire to counter American influence in the region. It also delves into the ideas of Robert Grant Haliburton and the Canada First movement, which promoted Canadian nationalism but ultimately failed due to its racially exclusive agenda. The book also highlights the discrimination experienced by Indigenous and African Caribbean populations during this period. Despite the efforts of unionists, the agenda of uniting Canada with the British Caribbean colonies did not succeed due to political factors and opposition from African Caribbean people seeking self-determination. The book also discusses instances of racial discrimination and the fight for racial justice in Canada's history. Overall, the book provides insights into Canada's historical engagement with the British Caribbean and calls for racial accountability for past and ongoing harms to marginalized communities. [Extracted from the article]