Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, making it the last and newest province to become part of the country. Newfoundland had the opportunity to join Canada in 1867, which makes it difficult to understand the delay. The decision to remain an independent political entity, under British control, reflected the opposing political views between the colony's conservatives and liberals. Not surprisingly, many of Newfoundland's major industries began to suffer as the colony's government continued to disagree, despite a concerted and ongoing effort by Canadian officials to have them join the larger nation well before 1949. This article explores why Newfoundland did not join Confederation in 1867 and remained an independent political entity until 1949 by examining its early history, the Confederacy's struggles, "the intervening years", and Joey Smallwood's impact on Newfoundland which became part of Canada. Before the early 19th century, Newfoundland was known as "a chaotic backwater". ' where law and order were largely unknown according to scholar Jerry Bannister. Its economic, political and social interests depended heavily on cod fishing. The chaotic nature of Newfoundland consisted of the land's original inhabitants and various European immigrants who only added to the struggle they were facing in terms of reform and creating self-government. The individuals who occupied the region brought aspects of European life to Newfoundland, making it difficult to rationalize a coherent opinion regarding political progress. Terranova was divided between the opinion that “there was a lack of an expert group of [high] caliber to call for the organization of local government [or that there were people who] strenuously oppose[d] its… half of the paper .. ....you help reap the benefits of the cod fishery, which hindered the region's overall population growth for many years until seasonal visitors established a year-round presence. The British government made several attempts to try to control Newfoundland's ports until the people of the region decided that it would be in their best interests to see the elected legislature become part of their colony's history. The initial disorder led to significant changes over time; he took Newfoundland from a place built with little organization and defense of fishing-based self-interests that was once the main center of the region. The changes that took place as a result of the region's people coming together took the confusing mess and transformed it into a place where its original settlers and subsequent newcomers learned to compete for the betterment of their shared space..