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UN is created
50 countries led by Britian, the Soviet Union and the US met in San Fransico to create an organization that would work towards the goals of world peace, cooperation, defending human rights and improving general standards of living. Canadian John Humphrey played a key role in drafting the charter for the UN, leaving a strong Canadian stamp on the organization. -
World War 2 Ends
The first atomic bombs are dropped in Japan causing enormous death tolls and resulting in Japanese government surrender, ending the war. Pivotal in leading up to this end was Canada's crucial involvment in D-day a year prior, sending 14,000 Canadian soldiers on the Juno Beach attack of enemy lines in France. -
Creation of NATO
As a result of Soviet agression and the Berlin blockade, western allies decided to form NATO to prevent Soviet expansion in Europe by estabishing a stronger military presence there. Canada became a member of NATO at this time, with the members agreeing that an attack on one is an attack on all. -
Communists take control of China
The communists led by Mao Zedong take control,however the new government is not recognized by the US, and thereby also not recognized by the United Nations. Canada, along with certain other powers, decided to recognize the communist government, however US pressure prevailed in this case. -
Korean War
100,000 North Korean troops supported by Soviet weaponry invaded South Korea. A UN force led by America came to the aid of South Korea, built from soldiers of 32 countries including over 26,500 Canadian soldiers. The war ended in July 1953, but the country remained divided between North and South. This war was critical in demonstrating that the UN was wiling to take action where the Leauge of Nations was not. -
Creation of the Warsaw Pact
The pact was a defensive response to NATO by the Soviet Union aligning the easten European communist states in a mutually defensive treaty. Canada's role is simply as a member to NATO, which stood in direct opposition to the pact of these states. -
Lester Pearson diffuses the Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis came about on July 26, 1956 when Abdul Nasser , the Egyptian King nationalized the Seuz Canal Company. The company was, however, run by the French and the British. Because the Canal was vital for oil, this caused a war. Pearson, then propses the First UN peacekeeping force. Later on, Pearson was chosen to be the leader of the Liberal party and then became Prime Minister in 1963. -
Vietnam War
Two foreign powers, France and Japan, were occupying Vietman. Vietman wanted US support, but because of US policies and containment they were unable to help. Instead, they helped France win, which in turn avoided the spread of Communism. Canada's place in this war was to help the US escape from drafts. These escapees were called draft dodgers. -
Berlin Wall is built
The Berlin wall was built because the Germans in East Germany were fleeing to West Germany because they didn't like the communist government. The Berlin wall blocked East German residents from crossing over to West Germany. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis began when photographs revealed that Soviet Missiles were under construction in Cuba. President John Kennedy heard about this and organized EXCOMM, which was a group of his twelve mos timportant advisors. These were the people that would deal with the crisis. When Kennedy went public with this news, tension was eased. This was also around the time when Khrushchev said he would dismantle and return the missiles to the Soviet Union. -
USSR invades Afghanistan
Communist Afghan government made a treaty with the Soviets, in 1978, to use their military assisstance to fight against the Mujahideen rebels. President Jimmy Carter approved of funding for the Afghan rebels, allowing for better weaponry. In September Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin took power after the shooting of President Nur Muhammad Taraki. Soviets saw this as causing unrest and warned that they would interfere. on Dec, 27, Soviets invaded to attempt to help the Communist Gov. -
Berlin Wall is torn down
The moment the East German government lost the power to enforce the existence of the wall the Germans ripped down the wall, reuniting Germany. This also signified the end of communism,
