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Quebec's Padlock Law
Padlock Law
Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis passed the Padlock Law, an “Act to protect the Province Against Communistic Propaganda”. This prohibited any promotion of Communism which could result in having home and/or office padlocked. -
Gouzenko Affair - Spies in Canada
Gouzenko exposes Soviet spies
Igor Gouzenko was a Soviet born member of the Soviet Embassy, trained in the intelligence work. He defected to the Canadian government secret documents exposing the Soviet spies' work when he learned that he and his family would be sent back to Russia. He wanted permanent protection in return. As a result, 18 of 39 people were convicted of spying. -
Berlin Blockade
Soviet Union broke an agreement with their former allies by attempting to force the allies to give up their rights to occupy West Berlin. They tried to physically blocked all supply lines to West Berlin. However, the blockade failed, since food and supplies were provided to West Berlin through an airlift that the allies organized. With this blockade, the Soviet Union only succeeded in raising tensions with their former allies.
Berlin Airlift -
NATO
Several nations formed together the National Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This was a defense pact with a pledge to to protect each member from further Soviet aggression and from enemy attacks. It was reasoned that by providing a united front against an enemy attack, the acts of agression would be effectively deterred or discouraged -
"The Forgotten War" - The Korean War (When and Why)
This was a war between South Korea, (supported and influenced by Americans and others in NATO), and North Korea (supported and influenced by Soviet Union) from June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953. It started from disagreements in the type of government the country wanted. South Korea wanted Democracy like the Americans and the other NATO countries, and North Korea wanted Communism like the Soviet Union. This was the first serious breach of the peace during the Cold War. -
"The Forgotten War" - The Korean War (Canada's Involvement)
NATO, UN, and British Commonwealth were all involved in the Korean War, therfore including Canada. Canada first saw action in the Battle of Kapyong. They were heroes to the people they helped liberate, however the Canadian government took years to officially acknowledge the sacrifice those who fought in the Korean War made, hence this war is known as the “Forgotten War”. -
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"The Forgotten War" - The Korean War (Legacy)
The Korean War was ended with a cease-fire pact. This created many war orphans and divided many families in both Koreas. US military bases were created in South Korea, as well as the mandatory conscription for male citizens. South Korea became a more modern and industrialized country since they were helped by the United States. On the otherhand, due to their communist government, North Korea became a weak and poor country. -
DEW Line
Established across the northern Arctic region of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska was the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, which was a system of radar stations. It was set up to detect and provide early warning of incoming Soviet bombers and any sea-and-land invasion. -
The Vietnam War and Draft Dodgers in Canada
The war in Vietnam lasted about 18 years, and ended April 30, 1975. Though it was officially an American war, Canadia was also involved. Many Canadians volunteered to join the American forces in Vietnam to help stop Communism from advancing.
Unlike Canada, there were many young Americans who came to Canada to run away from conscripted military service with the Vietnam War. They were called Draft Dodgers. -
Warsaw Pact
This was an alliance made and organized by the Soviet union and the countries behind the "iron curtain" as a military rival in fear of a NATO attack. Both NATO and the Warsaw Pact were fueled by deterrence argument and stockpiled nuclear arms.Canadians protested against and were concerned about safety, as well as American domination. The Canadian government refused to allow nuclear weapons in Canada; a decision that was reversed, then reversed again to fully dismantle all Canadian missile sites. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
Egypt was attacked by Israel on October 29, starting the Suez Crisis. This was ended with the successful creation of a cease-fire by the UNEF, established to secure the end to the crisis. -
NORAD
The North American Air Defence Agreement (NORAD) was a combined organization of Canada and the US. It provided an early warning and military protection of North America in case of the Soviet Union attacking. -
Sputnik
Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satelite, was successfully launched by the Soviet Union. February 7, 1958, the US Department of Defense established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in response to the launch of Sputnik 1. The rocket that sent out Sputnik could also deliver nuclear warhead anywhere in the world. The oceanic moat that had successfully protected the US from attacks was breached. -
Pearson wins Nobel Prize
Lester Pearson wins Nobel Peace Prize
Lester B. Pearson, Minister of External Affairs, won the Nobel Peace Prize for establishing the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) of peacekeepers. This prize honoured Pearson's creation of the UNEF, which helped to bring peace in Egypt, following the Suez Crisis. -
Avro Arrow and its Cancellation
The Avro Arrow was originally designed as a long-range interceptor that was meant to destroy Soviet bombers. It was cancelled because the day that the Avro Arrow was produced, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik. The Arrow cancellation was a serious setback to the Canadian aerospace industry and the day came to be known as "Black Friday". Avro employees and others involved in the supply chain were immediately put out of work. -
Bomarc Missiles and Nuclear Warheads in Canada
The Bomarc missile was the first long-range anti-aircraft missile that was very controversial in Canada. At first, Diefenbaker agreed to the missiles being deployed and cancelled the Avro Arrow. It was later known that the missiles were to have nuclear warheads, which caused a debate. Diefenbaker decided against equippng nuclear weapons; this resulted in the Diefenbaker Cabinet collapsing in 1963. Pearson of the liberal party was then elected due to his acceptance of the nuclear warheads. -
Canada's Space Program
Alouette 1
Canada's first scientific satellite, Alouette 1, was launched. The purpose of this satellite was to explore the ionosphere. After this launch, Canada became the first country following the US and the Soviet Union to design and build its own artificial Earth satellite. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
US spy plane photographed construction of several missile deployment sites while flying over Cuba. These missiles can be launched anywhere in North America from Cuba. For 13 days, US and Soviet Union engaged in political and military standoff. President John Kennedy decided to enact a naval blockade and prepare military force around Cuba. Disaster was avoided when US and Soviet Union came to an agreement. -
Canada-Soviet Hockey Series
The first game in the 1972 Summit Series was won by the Soviets in Montreal, where the Canadians were stunned. The Soviets led victorious throughout the series, however Canada fought back a tie with victories on Sept. 24 and 26. The final game on Sept. 28 was very close until Paul Henderson shot the winning goal for Canada within seconds in the final period, which became the most famous goal in hockey history.
A Goal of the Century -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989
Günter Schabowski, head of East German Communist Party, announced that the GDR citizens could now cross the border. On October 3, 1990, East and West Germany was officially reunited and reunified.Grobachev and President George Bush declared the end to the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, which signified the end of communism in East Germany -
The Fall of the Soviet Union
The Fall of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union disintegrated into 16 separate nations. The Soviet flag lowered from the Kremlin and replaced with Russian tricolours. Dissolution of the Soviet Union also marked an end to the Cold War. December 25,Soviet President Mikhai Gorbachev resigned, his office was declared extinct, and the Soviet nuclear missile launching codes were handed over to Russian President Boris Yeltsin
