-
Quebec's Padlock Law
It was an act for the province of Quebec, passed March 24th, 1937 by the Union Nationale government. The purpose of the act was to prevent the spreading of communist propaganda. The act prohibited the use of a property to propagate communist. It also prohibited the printing, publishing or distribution of any peice of writing propagating communism. A violation of the act could result in property use closure for a period of time up to 1 year, and people could be imprisoned for 3 - 13 months. -
The Gouzenko Affair
Igor Gouzenko testimony finally releasedIgor Gouzenko was born in USSR Russia in 1919. He was trained in intelegence work, and was assigned to the Soviet Embassy located in Ottawa in 1943. In 1945 he moved to Canada officially learning that he and his family were to be sent back to USSR. He offered the Canadian government secret documents exposing soviet spies and their work, in return for permenent protection. He worked very hard to keep his identity hidden, even wearing a white hood when in public. He died of natural causes in 1982. -
The Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade BeginsThis was the attempt to physically block all supply lines to West Berlin, and to try to force the allies to give up their established rights. The blockade failed though, because the allies organized to provide the food and other supplies that West Berlin badley needed by air. However, the blockade did succeed in raising tentions between the Soviet Union and the former allies. Canada's part in this was siding with the US. -
International Alliances: NATO & Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact's military arsenalThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created for the protection of its members against Soviet agression. The 12 founding members included Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Iceland, Luxembourge, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and US. Fearful of a NATO attack the Soviet Union organzied the countries behind the "Iron Curtain" into a rival military alliance, better known as the Warsaw Pact. This included Albania, Bulgaria, Czech, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania and USSR. -
The Forgotten War (AKA The Korean War)
The Korean War becomes routine for Canadian troopsIn 1950 Communist North Korea, supported by Communist China, decided to attack South Korea. The US supported North Korea against communist agression, and under influence of the US, the UN Security Councel called members to aid. Of the 16 members who responded, Canada was ranked 3rd in total aid to South Korea. Almost 25000 Canadians saw action before the 1953 truce. Over 1000 Canadians were wounded and 406 died. This war ensured the independance of South Korea. The Canadians stayed until 1955. -
The Suez Crises and Pearson Wins Nobel Prize
The Suez Canal was an imporrtant waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. In1956 the Egyption leader decided to take over the Canal zone. This meant a power, wealth and control loss for the French and British owners of the Canal. When NORAD dissagreed with eachother international conflict was going to start to appear. Lester Pearson's plan called for an immediate end to all shooting and a special UN force to monitor the withdrawl of forces. -
Sputnik and Canada`s Space Program
Launch of Sputnik 1In 1957 the Soviets released the first satalite, Sputnik. This would have been fine, had the rocket that launched Sputnik into orbit, not been able to deliver a nuclear warhead to anywhere in North American, at any given time. -
Canada: Diefenbaker, Bomarc Missiles and Nuclear Warheads
Diefenbaker was Canada's prime minister for the Conservative party from 1957 - 1963. He raised senior pensions, cut taxes and helped farmers in western Canada. He also passed the bill of rights in 1960. When he got rid of the Avro Arrow he replaced it with the Bomarc missle. Warheads were not allowed in Canada, and as a result it limited the American control over when Canadian missiles would be used. -
NORAD and the DEW line
The North American Air Defence (NORAD) agreement was signed in 1958. The agreement was that Canada and the US were to help defend eachother. The Distant Early Warning (DEW) lines were several american built defence installations located in the North West Teritories. Their purpose was to pick up approaching enemy aircraft and missiles and warn Canada and Us about it. -
Avro Arrow and It's Cancellation
First Flight of the Avro ArrowThe Avro Arrow was an advanced, high tech, supersonic fighter jet, developed and built by Canadians. When Deifenbaker was elected into power in '58 he scrapped the Arrow and replaced it with the ready made American built Bomrac missiles. As a result 14000 Canadians lost their jobs. -
Cuban Missile Crises
Cuban Missile Crisis1962, American spy planes had photographed the construction of Soviet missile sites on the island of Cuba. This posed as a threat because off of Communist Cuba you could hit any major city in North America. The US quickly forced a naval blockade around the island in attempt to stop soviet transport ships. America prepared for war. School children had bomb drills and bomb shelters were built. In the end the Soviet ship turned back, and the Cuban Missile Crises was over. -
Canadian-Soviet Hockey Series
The Winning GoalIn 1972 a hockey series was organized between the top NHL Russian team and Canadian team. The russians eualled Canada's performance with a split series of 3 wins each team. In the final game, played in Moscow, Paul Henderson broke the winning game tie and won Canada the series. This win boosted Canada's pride big time. -
Vietnam War & Draft Dodgers in Canada
Pete Seeger - The Draft Dodger RagCanada did not fight in the Vietnam war. Althought Canada, being a member of the International Control Commission, they did have several peace keepers over seeing the Geneva agreement and mantaining an air of nutrality. Canadian's were more likely to side with the US though, in times of disagreement. The draft dodgers were people who moved from the US to Canada attempting to avoid the conscription. There were thousands of draft eligible men who avoided the draft by moving to Canada. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Fall of the Berlin WallThe Berlin wall was built in 1961 by East Berlin/Germany as a divider to keep West Berlin and East seperated. 1989 East Berlin opened its gates. Anyone wanting to go anywhere in the world could now do so, no strings attached. Anyone wanting to go back west needed a visa, but the visa would be granted almost immedietly. The wall had no meaning now so naturally, people tried to tear it down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCPdLlUgvo -
The Fall of the Soviet Union
The fall of the Soviet Union in '91 changed the world. No longer was theworld divided, and the US became the leading state. This lead to the deformation of all foereign policies around the world. Canada was also forced to suspend technical aid to the Soviet.
