Continentalism refers to the agreements or policies that favor the regionalization and/or cooperation between nations within a continent. The term is used more often in the European and North American contexts, but the concept has been applied to other continents.

Continentalism in North America

United States

Historically, the United States of America saw itself as a blossoming continental nation-state. Accordingly, the first governing body for the North American colonists was called the Continental Congress, which sought to receive delegates from across the populated continent, including the future Canadian provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia. The First Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of twelve North American colonies of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1774. ... Province of Quebec (COLONIAL PERIOD, 1763-1791) Great Britain acquired Canada by the Treaty of Paris (1763) when King Louis XV of France and his advisors chose to keep the territory of Guadeloupe for its valuable sugar crops instead of New France, which was viewed as a vast, frozen wasteland... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (Latin: One defends and the other conquers) Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 11 Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867...

Continentalism later became largely associated with the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which included Spanish territories (now Latin America), western U.S. as well as Canada. Due to this, this continentalism grew so much in the United States of America that it transformed into nationalism. Most of the inhabitants of this country, if not all, call themselves "Americans" as if it was a demonym, and say America to refer to the country United States of America instead of the continent America. For a more extensive discussion over this polemical case, read the main article: Use of the word American. This article is about the history and influence of the concept. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolising French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Use of the word American in the English language differs between historical, geographical and political contexts. ...

Canada

In Canadian political history, continentalism has referred to policies that emphasize Canadian trade and economic ties within the North American continent, particularly the United States, over those with the United Kingdom and the British Empire. In the 19th century Continentialism was one of the three main theories of Canadian nationality, the others being pro-British Imperialism, and Canadian independence. North America North America is a continent [1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... The Flag of Canada Canadian nationalism is a loose term which has been applied to ideologies of several different types which highlight and promote specifically Canadian interests over those of other countries, notably the United States. ... Cecil Rhodes: Cape-Cairo railway project. ...

The most extreme form of Continentalism is Annexationism, which advocates all or part of Canada joining the United States. Opponents of continentalism often argue that stronger ties with the United States could eventually lead to annexation, and that this is to be feared. Continentalists themselves may or may not be in favour of continuing to deepen ties with the United States beyond the economic and into areas like a customs union, common border, common currency, or even political union. At various times, annexationist movements in Canada have campaigned in favour of the annexation of parts or all of Canada by the United States. ... A customs union is a free trade area with a Common External Tariff. ... Currency union in the Americas is a proposal supported by some economists, but it is an idea that is not likely to be enacted in the near future. ... A Political Union is a type of state which is composed of smaller states. ...

The traditional proponent of continentalism was the Liberal Party of Canada and particularly farmers and resource industries that advocated reciprocity (i.e., free trade) with the United States. The Liberal Party of Canada (French: ), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party. ... See also Canadian-American Reciprocity Treaty of 1855. ... Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ...

However, the Progressive Conservative Party took on many continentalist policies beginning during the Brian Mulroney government in the 1980s, which promoted and successfully signed the North American Free Trade Agreement. These policies were maintained by the Liberal and Conservative Party of Canada governments that followed Mulroney's. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Martin Brian Mulroney PC CC GOQ (predominantly known as Brian Mulroney) (born March 20, 1939), was the eighteenth Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. ... NAFTA redirects here. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a conservative political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ...

Continentalism today is seen in both negative and positive terms. Canadian economic nationalists typically oppose continentalism. Opposing this, many pro-market neo-liberals and neo-conservatives tend to favour it, on the grounds that it opens up commercial and economic opportunities, allowing free trade between nations. The Flag of Canada Canadian nationalism is a loose term which has been applied to ideologies of several different types which highlight and promote specifically Canadian interests over those of other countries, notably the United States. ... The term neoliberalism is used to describe a political-economic philosophy that had major implications for government policies beginning in the 1970s – and increasingly prominent since 1980 – that de-emphasizes or rejects positive government intervention in the economy, focusing instead on achieving progress and even social justice by encouraging free... Neoconservatism describes several distinct political ideologies which are considered new forms of conservatism. ...

See also

• Continental union
• Europeanism
• Foreign Investment Review Agency
• Pan-Africanism
• Pan-Asianism
• Pan-Americanism