Essence of Indecision

Diefenbaker's Nuclear Policy, 1957-1963

Patricia I. McMahon

• Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9780773534988
• eBook ISBN: 9780773583351
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Tracing Diefenbaker's deliberations over nuclear policy, McMahon shows that Diefenbaker was politically cautious, not indecisive - he wanted to acquire nuclear weapons and understood from public opinion polls that most Canadians supported this position. However, Diefenbaker worried that the growing anti-nuclear movement might sway public opinion sufficiently to undermine his political support. He also feared that Liberal leader Lester Pearson could use the issue for political advantage. As long as Pearson opposed Canada's membership in the nuclear club, he could portray Diefenbaker's government as an irresponsible proponent of nuclear proliferation. Despite these reservations, Diefenbaker was involved in nuclear negotiations with the Americans throughout his tenure as prime minister, and an agreement was within reach on a number of occasions. When, in January 1963, Pearson reversed his position, Diefenbaker felt trapped - in making a clear public statement in favour of nuclear weapons it would appear as though he was merely following his opponent's lead. When Canada acquired nuclear weapons in 1963, it was under the leadership of Pearson, not Diefenbaker.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• 1 The Conservatives Return to Power, 1957—1958
• 2 Diefenbaker and Defence Policy, 1958—1959
• 3 Canada’s Nuclear Policy Takes Shape, 1959—1960
• 4 A Period of Transition, 1960—1961
• 5 Nuclear Negotiations and the 1962 Federal Election
• 6 To the Brink and Beyond: The Cuban Missile Crisis and Canada’s Nuclear Policy
• Conclusion
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index