I thought Newfoundland was a province of Canada but I read this.
- // 1932, Newfoundland went bankrupt under the impact of the Great Depression, and in 1933 it reverted from being a Dominion to a colony again as the condition of a British bail-out. In…
ChatGPT said:
You're absolutely right that Newfoundland is a province of Canada today, but what you read is also correct—it describes a fascinating and unique chapter in Newfoundland’s history before it joined Canada.
Here’s the timeline:
1. Dominion Status (1907–1934):
Newfoundland was a self-governing Dominion within the British Empire, like Canada or Australia, from 1907. It had its own prime minister and parliament.
2. Financial Collapse (1932–1933):
The Great Depression hit Newfoundland very hard. By 1932, the government was deeply in debt, partly due to World War I spending and economic mismanagement. Facing bankruptcy, Newfoundland asked Britain to take back direct control in exchange for a financial bailout.
3. Commission of Government (1934–1949):
In 1934, self-government was suspended, and Newfoundland became a Crown colony once again, run by a British-appointed Commission of Government—no elections, no local parliament. This was meant to be temporary.
4. Confederation with Canada (1949):
After World War II, public opinion split between restoring self-government or joining Canada. In 1948, a referendum was held, and by a slim margin, Newfoundlanders voted to join Canada. On March 31, 1949, Newfoundland became Canada's 10th province.
So yes, Newfoundland is a province now—but only since 1949. Before that, it was a Dominion, then a British-run colony for 15 years. That 1933–1949 period is one of the only examples in modern history of a country willingly giving up democracy and self-rule.
You said:
ChatGPT said:
Right? It’s one of those stories that feels almost fictional—an entire country voluntarily giving up democracy because the budget was too far gone. Newfoundland’s return to colony status in 1933 is often called “the only case in the 20th century of a Western democracy voluntarily committing assisted suicide.”
Even more wild: When Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, it brought with it a distinct identity, culture, and legal system, plus all its quirks—like driving on the left (until 1947!) and having its own currency and postage stamps.
And the vote to join Canada? It barely passed—52.3% to 47.7%. Some Newfoundlanders still refer to it as a mistake—or even as a kind of annexation.
It’s an incredible slice of history. Want a good book or article recommendation about it?
You said:
ChatGPT said:
Yes—Newfoundland had its own currency!
Until it joined Canada in 1949, the Dominion of Newfoundland issued its own dollars, distinct from Canadian dollars. Here's how it worked:
Newfoundland Dollar (1865–1949):
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Pegged to the Canadian dollar (1:1) for much of its existence.
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Included Newfoundland-specific coins and banknotes, issued by local banks and the government.
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Coins were minted in denominations like 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents (unusual!), 25 cents, and 50 cents.
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Paper money featured the Newfoundland coat of arms, British monarchs, and bore the name "Dominion of Newfoundland."
Fun facts:
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Newfoundland was one of the few places in the British Empire to use decimal currency before the UK itself decimalized in 1971.
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The 20-cent coin was a holdover from Spanish colonial coinage systems and was phased out after confederation.
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When Newfoundland joined Canada, its currency was withdrawn and exchanged at par for Canadian dollars.
Today, Newfoundland coins and notes are highly collectible. Some 1940s-era Newfoundland banknotes still surface at auctions—and they’re beautiful.
