Canada's Role in the Cold War

  • Quebec Padlock Law

    Quebec Padlock Law
    The Premiere of Quebec (Maurice Duplessis) wanted to give himself the power to shut down any organizations he felt was a threat. This law was passed in Quebec. Also, any business that he did not like or considered a threat, he was given the power to shut these buisnesses down as well.
  • Spies in Canada: Gouzenko Affair

    Spies in Canada: Gouzenko Affair
    Igor Gouzenko offered Canadian Government secret documents exposing the work of Soviet spies in return for permanent protection. Canada took the information and as a result, 18/39 people were convicted of criminal activities related to spying. Gouzenko and his family were put into hiding under assumed identities. He stayed protected until his death in 1982.
  • Berlin Blockade

    Berlin Blockade
    The Soviet Union broke an agreement with former allies. It attempted to force allies o give up their establlished rights to occupy the Western part of Berlin. Blockade failed to crush Berlin, and allies helped Berlin with what they needed. Tensions raised between Soviet Union and former allies.
  • NATO and Warspaw Pact

    NATO and Warspaw Pact
    Several countries in Western Europe were concerned about national security. In result, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed. It is a defence pact to protect members from Soviet aggression. In 1955, Soviet Union organized a rival military alliance which was called the Warspaw Pact. Both sides began building atomic bombs, missiles, and all sorts of weapons.
  • The Forgotten War- Korean War

    The Forgotten War- Korean War
    Communist North Korea, and Communist China decided to attack Non-Communist South Korea. USA supportes South Korea and United Nations sent all available assistance to South Korea. Only 16 UN members aided South Korea, and Canada ranked 3rd in aid. Over 1000 Canadians wounded, and 406 killed, UN ensured the independence of South Korea. Canada stayed until 1955 to help maintain the truce.
  • UN Peacekeeping- Suez Crisis

    UN Peacekeeping- Suez Crisis
    UN recognized new state of Isreal in 1948. Arab people wanted to destroy Isreal before more land was lost. Isreal seized more land and Arabs swore revenge. A truce was made and lasted until 1956. Suez Canal was an important waterway in Egypt, and Egyptian leader took full control of canal zone. France, Britain, and Isreal attacked Egypt to regain control. Canada sent in 800 soldiers to aid Egypt.
  • Vietnam War and Draft Dodgers in Canada

    Vietnam War and Draft Dodgers in Canada
    War became in French Indo-China when WW2 Vietnam had been split into North Korea and South Korea. Communist war launched attacks on South Korea and tried to bring forced unification. French left, Americans came and took over to prevent South Korea from becoming communist. Eventually, North Vietnam defeated South Korea and Vietnam was united again except under communism. War ended on April 30, 1975.
  • Sputnik and Canada's Space Program

    Sputnik and Canada's Space Program
    <a
    href='http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvPzUAeWZZY' >Video</a>
    Soviets launched first Sputnik satellite in 1957. It wasn't a problem itself but it could also be used to deliver nuclear warhead to any spot in North America as orbiting around Earth. Americans in precaution built large-range missiles and so did the Soviet right after. World was almost in war again in 1962. US President stopped Soviet from launching missiles and warheads, and stopped war.
  • NORAD and DEW

    NORAD and DEW
    North America needed a better system of defence against attack of enemy missiles. The North America Air Defence (NORAD) was created in 1958. With this, Canada and America agreed to defend each other, and CAnada allowed US to create the Distance Early Warning (DEW) in North West Territories to pick up enemies approaching from 4800 km away. NORAD headquarters would be warned and control the repsonse of offensive and defensive weapons.
  • Avro Arrow and Cancellation

    Avro Arrow and Cancellation
    In 1960, the Canadian Bill of Rights was passed to formally recognize the rights enjoyed by all people living in Canada. John Deifenbaker was the Prime Minister. He scraped the Avro Arrow, a surpersonic, interceptor, jet aircraft built by Canadians. This government was popular with Western Farmers and in the Atlantic but not anywhere else. The cancellation of the Avro Arrow cost 14000 Canadians their jobs and the Canadian Economy slowed down.
  • Diefenbaker, Bomarc missiles and nuclear warheads in Canada

    Diefenbaker, Bomarc missiles and nuclear warheads in Canada
    This was a dispute in the Cold War. The dispute was if Canada should have nuclear armed missiles on its soil, or not. The conservative government agreed to have them on the country's soil but the dispute began when Canadians found out that they were supposed to be armed with nuclear weapons. Many Canadians opposed and the government decided that they will not have nuclear weapons on the soil.
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis

    The Cuban Missile Crisis
    World was almost in war again in 1962. US President stopped Soviet from launching missiles and warheads, and stopped war. The Canadian Government suggested that instead of a Blockade, all sites suggested as missile bases should be examined by independent experts. The blockade still remained. In the end, the Soviet ships turned back before reaching the blockade and the threat of the war, called the Cuban Missile Crisis was over.
  • Canadian-Soviet Hockey Series

    Canadian-Soviet Hockey Series
    Video
    This was an eight-game series of ice hockey between the Soviet Union and Canada. It was the first competition between the two involving professional players. Canada won the series.
  • The Fall of the Berlin Wall

    The Fall of the Berlin Wall
    Video
    East Germanys communist leader gave permission for the gates to be opened. Protests began within days and people climbed the wall and completely destroyed it.
  • The Fall of the Soviet Union

    The Fall of the Soviet Union
    Video
    The Soviet Union was becoming more and more weak, and had to spend more money to keep up with US Military Spending. The Union went bankrupt and had to shut down.