B

Canada began to take on a more active role internationally as a sovereign state after World War Ⅱ，becoming more and more independent of Great Britain.However，at the same time it became increasingly tied to the United States economically as well as in defense and foreign policy.In 1958，the United States accounted for 60％ of Canadian exports and 70％ of imports.American capital represented 76％ of foreign investment in Canada，and U.S.companies controlled 70％ of Canada’s oil and gas production and 40％ of its industry.In defense，Canada signed the North American Air Defense Agreement with the United States in 1957 and built three lines of radar installations across the continent to provide early warning of airborne attack across the Arctic by the Soviet Union.It also joined NATO and followed the United States into the Korean War.Canada delayed diplomatic recognition of the People’s Republic of China because the government was concerned that recognition of China would offend the United States.

The Conservative Party，which won a landslide victory in 1958，was genuinely concerned about Canada’s dependence on American capital and markets.It tried to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States and strengthen relations with Britain.However，it was not successful because the British market was too small to absorb vast quantities of Canadian products.In addition，the policy of close ties with Britain alienated French⁃speaking Canadians in Quebec，who began to abandon the Conservative Party and advocate French⁃Canadian nationalism.

As a result，the Liberal Party government that followed put more emphasis on nationalism.It created a new Canadian national flag to replace the old Union Jack in 1965 and began to de⁃emphasize relations with the United States and Europe.It reduced its military force in NATO by half and recognized the People’s Republic of China in 1970 over U.S.objections.It also began to develop trade relations with Eastern Europe，the Soviet Union and China in order to expand international market for Canada’s agricultural products.In addition，the government established diplomatic relations with the Vatican as a conciliatory gesture to French Canadians in Quebec.