Ogdensburg Agreement
Encyclopedia
The Ogdensburg Agreement is an agreement signed on August 17, 1940, between Prime Minister Mackenzie King of Canada
and United States
President Franklin Roosevelt in Heuvelton
near Ogdensburg
, New York
.
as its primary military partner. Although Canada was no longer considered a "colony" of Britain (having gained independence in its foreign policy in 1931), Canada's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations, the strength of the British empire, and the historic and cultural ties between them made a military alliance with the United States seem unnecessary. Most Canadians believed that Britain could provide for all of Canada's defense needs.
Canada had declared war on Nazi Germany shortly after the Second World War began in September 1939 but the United States remained neutral. By mid-1940, the situation in Europe had grown dire. Germany's military successes had led to the occupation of much of Europe, and most importantly, France, which fell in June 1940. With Germany in control or allied with nearly all of continental Europe, it appeared that an invasion of Britain itself was likely. The German military's seemingly invincible army and its neutrality pact with the Soviet Union, convinced many, including American President Franklin Roosevelt, that Britain itself would soon fall. Roosevelt feared that once Germany had seized control of Britain, an invasion of North America would become a distinct possibility.
By July 1940, Canadian Prime Minister
William Lyon Mackenzie King
, along with a growing number of Canadians, became concerned that the Britain could fall and that Canada would become Germany's next target. In addition to transferring its gold reserves to Canada at the beginning of the war, the British government had also prepared a contingency plan (which was largely kept secret to avoid hurting morale) to evacuate the Royal family, the government and as many critical military and scientific personnel to Canada as possible if the British Isles fell to Germany. These factors only increased concerns that Germany would attempt an invasion of Canada.
Both Canada and the United States recognizing this threat and subsequently the United States initiated preliminary military discussions that became formative in July 1940. On August 18, Roosevelt and King met in the border town of Ogdensburg, New York
. Roosevelt outlined his plan to create a joint board to oversee the defence of both nations, not just for the duration of the current crisis, but as a permanent body. King immediately agreed, and the Permanent Joint Board on Defence was created.
Most Canadians supported this agreement, which was soon known as the Ogdensburg Agreement, as they deemed it necessary not only for security purposes but also to improve relations with the United States. However, some Canadians, most notably former Conservative prime minister Arthur Meighen
were furious - they argued that by signing this agreement, Canada was not only abandoning Britain but was effectively placing itself under the control of the United States. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
was also angry, stating that "all these transactions will be judged [at the war's end] in a mood different to that prevailing while the issue still hangs in the balance." King's government recognized these concerns. Canadian negotiators resolutely refused to give the United States control of Canada's forces, and rejected proposals to integrate much of the country's defences into Washington's Northeast and Northwest Defence Commands. King's approach satisfied most Canadians - although co-operation with the United States was essential, it did not mean abandoning Canada's national interests.
Initially, it was argued that Ogdensburg Agreement involved Canada abandoning Britain in favour of the United States on matters of defense. However, the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949 (which linked Canada and the United States into a collective security agreement with Britain and Western Europe) helped to alleviate these concerns.
The Board has examined virtually every important joint defence measure undertaken since the end of the World War II
, including construction of the Distant Early Warning Line
of radars, the creation of the North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD) in 1958, the bi-national operation of the underwater acoustic surveillance system and high-frequency direction finding network, and the decision to proceed with the North American Air Defence Modernization program in 1985.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
President Franklin Roosevelt in Heuvelton
Heuvelton, New York
Heuvelton is a small rural, incorporated, village located in St. Lawrence County in the state of New York in the United States of America. It is situated about six miles southeast of the city of Ogdensburg, in the Town of Oswegatchie. It is the only village in the town. Route 812 bisects the...
near Ogdensburg
Ogdensburg, New York
Ogdensburg is a city in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 11,128 at the 2010 census. In the late 18th century, European-American settlers named the community after American land owner and developer Samuel Ogden....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
History and Rationale
Although Canada and the United States had long been economic partners, Canada had always considered Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
as its primary military partner. Although Canada was no longer considered a "colony" of Britain (having gained independence in its foreign policy in 1931), Canada's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations, the strength of the British empire, and the historic and cultural ties between them made a military alliance with the United States seem unnecessary. Most Canadians believed that Britain could provide for all of Canada's defense needs.
Canada had declared war on Nazi Germany shortly after the Second World War began in September 1939 but the United States remained neutral. By mid-1940, the situation in Europe had grown dire. Germany's military successes had led to the occupation of much of Europe, and most importantly, France, which fell in June 1940. With Germany in control or allied with nearly all of continental Europe, it appeared that an invasion of Britain itself was likely. The German military's seemingly invincible army and its neutrality pact with the Soviet Union, convinced many, including American President Franklin Roosevelt, that Britain itself would soon fall. Roosevelt feared that once Germany had seized control of Britain, an invasion of North America would become a distinct possibility.
By July 1940, Canadian Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
, along with a growing number of Canadians, became concerned that the Britain could fall and that Canada would become Germany's next target. In addition to transferring its gold reserves to Canada at the beginning of the war, the British government had also prepared a contingency plan (which was largely kept secret to avoid hurting morale) to evacuate the Royal family, the government and as many critical military and scientific personnel to Canada as possible if the British Isles fell to Germany. These factors only increased concerns that Germany would attempt an invasion of Canada.
Both Canada and the United States recognizing this threat and subsequently the United States initiated preliminary military discussions that became formative in July 1940. On August 18, Roosevelt and King met in the border town of Ogdensburg, New York
Ogdensburg, New York
Ogdensburg is a city in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 11,128 at the 2010 census. In the late 18th century, European-American settlers named the community after American land owner and developer Samuel Ogden....
. Roosevelt outlined his plan to create a joint board to oversee the defence of both nations, not just for the duration of the current crisis, but as a permanent body. King immediately agreed, and the Permanent Joint Board on Defence was created.
Most Canadians supported this agreement, which was soon known as the Ogdensburg Agreement, as they deemed it necessary not only for security purposes but also to improve relations with the United States. However, some Canadians, most notably former Conservative prime minister Arthur Meighen
Arthur Meighen
Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding...
were furious - they argued that by signing this agreement, Canada was not only abandoning Britain but was effectively placing itself under the control of the United States. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
was also angry, stating that "all these transactions will be judged [at the war's end] in a mood different to that prevailing while the issue still hangs in the balance." King's government recognized these concerns. Canadian negotiators resolutely refused to give the United States control of Canada's forces, and rejected proposals to integrate much of the country's defences into Washington's Northeast and Northwest Defence Commands. King's approach satisfied most Canadians - although co-operation with the United States was essential, it did not mean abandoning Canada's national interests.
Since World War II
The agreement inaugurated closer Canadian-American military co-operation and established the Permanent Joint Board of Defence, which remains as the senior advisory body on continental security and is composed of two national sections made up of diplomatic and military representatives. For seven decades its meetings have served as a window on Canada-US defence relations. Canadian-American military cooperation was further enhanced by the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949 but the Board continued to serve in an important capacity for bilateral military relations and coordination.Initially, it was argued that Ogdensburg Agreement involved Canada abandoning Britain in favour of the United States on matters of defense. However, the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949 (which linked Canada and the United States into a collective security agreement with Britain and Western Europe) helped to alleviate these concerns.
The Board has examined virtually every important joint defence measure undertaken since the end of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, including construction of the Distant Early Warning Line
Distant Early Warning Line
The Distant Early Warning Line, also known as the DEW Line or Early Warning Line, was a system of radar stations in the far northern Arctic region of Canada, with additional stations along the North Coast and Aleutian Islands of Alaska, in addition to the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland...
of radars, the creation of the North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
(NORAD) in 1958, the bi-national operation of the underwater acoustic surveillance system and high-frequency direction finding network, and the decision to proceed with the North American Air Defence Modernization program in 1985.
External links
- http://www.ola.bc.ca/online/cf/documents/1940OgdensburgAgreement.html
- http://www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents/Ogdensburgaggreement.htm