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United Nations created
The UN Charter is signed by representatives of 50 countries, marking the creation of the United Nations. The Charter is a result of a UN conference in San Francisco earlier in the year. Canadian John Humphrey created the first draft of the UN Charter for Human Rights. Canada is considered to be one of the original members of the UN. It has served for 12 years on the UN Security Council. Canada is a non-permanent member. -
World War II ends
In the aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, surrender documents are signed aboard the American war ship USS Missouri by the Japanese. The Second World War officially ends. Canada played a role in the final days leading up to the Victory in Europe in May of 1945 by liberating Holland. Canadian troops drove out the last Nazi troops before the surrender. -
NATO created
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is created as an international peace organization and collective defence. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed on The 4th of April, 1949, in Washington D.C. Canada was a founding member. -
China becomes Communist
On the 1st of October, 1949, the People's Republic of China is established. The communist state, originally led by Mao Zedong, is still the present government of China. Although Canada was allied with the US, it did not adopt a foreign policy that was as critical and aggressive as the United States towards China. -
Korean War
The Korean War was a war between communist North Korea and democratic South Korea in the 1950s. The South was supported by many UN countries, while the North was supported by the USSR and the People's Republic of China. Officially, North and South Korea are still at war. Canada played a role in the war as a member of the UN. They sent forces because they were obligated to do so under the UN Charter. -
Warsaw Pact signed
The Warsaw Pact was an alliance between communist states during the Cold War. It was the communist version of NATO. The alliance promoted the collective protection and defence of communist nations. Notable countries include the USSR, East Germany, and Poland. Canada, allied with the United States, recognized the threat the Pact posed. The countries in the Pact remained potential enemies for Canada during the Cold War. -
War in Vietnam
The Vietnam War was a war between North Vietnam (pro-communist and allied with the USSR and North Korea) and South Vietnam (pro-capitalist and allied with the US). The South was fighting against the Viet Cong, communist party in North Vietnam. The Americans entered because they were afraid of the "domino effect". Canada sent a number of troops in accordance with the Paris Peace Accords. This action was meant to establish peace in Vietnam. Many draft dodgers also fled from the US to Canada. -
Pearson diffuses the Suez Crisis
The Suez crisis was military conflict between Egypt and Israel (allied with France and Britain) in 1956 over the Suez Canal. The Canal was a vital trade passage that was threatened when Egypt claimed it and refused other countries to enter. Canadian P.M. Lester B. Pearson organized the first peacekeeping forces to settle the conflict. He won a Nobel Prize for his efforts. -
Berlin Wall is built
The Berlin Wall was a wall separating West Berlin (democratic) and East Berlin (communist). The barrier, often thought to be a symbol of the Cold War, was built to prevent people from fleeing from communist Germany. It was torn down in 1989. Canada played a role in the Berlin Airlift to help struggling West Berlin. -
Cuban Missle Crisis
The Cuban Missle Crisis was a conflict between communist USSR/Cuba and the United States. After the USSR started building missle sites in Cuba, the US felt the threat of nuclear war. However, after two weeks, the US and USSR reached a no-invasion agreement and no nuclear missles were launched. P.M. Diefenbaker were reluctant to enter the conflict. This is because Canada wanted to demonstrate its independant foreign policy. -
USSR invades Afghanistan
The Soviet War in Afghanistan was a war initiated by the USSR to preserve the communist state of Afghanistan. However, the communists never really gained control. Canada had no major role in the war. However, in the War in Afghanistan of the 2000s, Canada played a larger role. -
Berlin Wall is torn down
After the reunification of Germany, the Berlin Wall was torn down. Many people came with sledgehammers and tools to help demolish the wall. The teardown was not immediate, however. Tension still existed between East Berlin and West Berlin for a few months, but crossing restrictions were reduced. Eventually, as the Cold War came to an end, people could freely pass through. West Berlin, which had been supported by the US and Canada, was reunited with the East.
