ABSTRACT
Economic integration in the Western Hemisphere grows out of distinct historical visions in North and South America. The concept of a North American economic market dates from the nineteenth century. In its early manifestations, economic union was closely-in fact too closely-associated with political union. Thanks in part to loose rhetoric, particularly the colourful remarks of House Speaker Joseph Cannon, Canadians came to see economic union as a device for turning Canadian provinces into American states. Thus, on four occasions between the mid-nineteenth century and the end of the Second World War, Canada rejected overtures for something like a free trade area. Meanwhile, resentful of American territorial acquisitions and military intervention, Mexico did its utmost to limit commerce with the United States.
