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Gouzenko Affair
A young clerk named Igor Gouzenko from the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa asked Canada for political protection from the Soviet Union (asylum). In return, he was willing to give the Canadian government documents that proved the Soviet Union was operating two spy rings in Canada. After Gouzenko handed over the proof of the spy rings, the Soviet Union threatened him. However, he and his family recieved Canadian police protection fro the rest of their lives.This event marked the beginning of the Cold War -
Canada joins United Nations
50 countries, led by Britain, the Soviet Union and th US, including Canada, met in San Francisco to create the United Nations. Mackenzie King was present during this conference. the UN had 4 main goals: Keeping world peace, and preventing new wars; encouraging cooperation among nations; defending human rights an helping to promote equality; and improving the standard of living for all nations. -
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Canada's International Involvement between 1945-2011
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Liberation of Holland
Canadian forces pushed back the Nazis to retreat from Holland and surrender. This allowed the Allies to continue forward towards the Germans. -
The Cold War Begins
The Cold war was an ideological struggle of ideas between the US and the Soviet Union. It was fought using propaganda, espionage, and economic and political pressures. No weapons were used. -
Iron Curtain Speech beginning of Cold War
in 1946, Winston Churchill declared that an Iron Curtain had fallen across Europe. It divided communist to non-communist states. -
Berlin Airlift
the Western Allies organized the Berlin Airlift to carry supplies to the people of West Berlin. During these busy months one plane landed every 2 minutes. the UK's Royal Air Force and the US Air Force flew over 200,000 flights in a year supplying up to 47,000 tones of daily necessities such as fuel and food for the people of Berlin. -
Canada joins NATO
This event prompted the Americans to make a peacetime military commitment to Europe. It was designed for mutual defence. Each member contributed to NATO. -
Canada enters the Korean War
A UN force made up of 32 countries, led by American fores was sent to fight in Korea when the Communist North Korea attacked the Democratic South. Over 26,500 Canadians served in Korea, and in total, 1000 were wouned and 400 were killed. North and South Korea agreed to an armistice, but still remained divided between the North and South. This war was significant to Canada because it showed that Canada supported the UN and was willing to fight to support the UN's goals. -
The Suez Crisis
the Suez Canal, a vital trade route was seized in 1956 by the Egyptian President Nasser from Britain & France. Britain & France joined Israel to attack Egypt in response. Canada's Minister of External Affairs, Lester Pearson, went to the UN to create a United Nations Emergency Force that kept troops apart while an agreement to the Suez Crisis was worked out. Battle forces were then withdrawn and replaced with UN peacekeeping forces as a result & Pearson won the Nobel Peace for his efforts -
Canada Joins NORAD
North American Aerospace Defense Command also known as NORAD is an organization by Canada and the US provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty and defense for these two countries. -
The Cuban Missle Crisis
the US and Soviet Union stock piled their nuclear weapons in many countries around the world. the US spotted Soviet missles in Cuba and an advaned warning of a possible Soviet nuclear attack had been reduced from half an hour down to a few minutes. The US then set up a blockade around Cuba. -
John F. Kennedy is Assassinated
While being driven down on the streets of Texas people were stunned to witness the death of John F. Kennedy. A bullet was shot to his head by Lee Harvey Oswald. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Cyprus
in 1959 Cyprus, an island in Mediterranean gained independence from Britain. the Turkish and Greek were not in very good terms during this time. Their conflict became an international crisis, however the UN, including Canada, were sent in an attempt to keep peace. Canada did not leave till 1993 and spent over 600$ million during this mission. -
Canada recognizes Communist China
Communists, led by Mao Zedong took over the government of China in 1949 and the UN refused to recognize them. Canada then recognized communism in China and soon after US did the same. -
Canada enters the Gulf War
UN authorized coalition forces from 34 nations that were led by US waged war against Iraq. Canada took part in the conflict surrounding the Iraqui invasion of Kuwait and sent ships and fighter planes to patrol the Persian Gulf. -
Cold War Ends
Between 1980 to 1990, the Berlin Wall came down, boarders opened, and free elections drove out Communist regimes everywhere in Europe. The Soviet Union break down and the Iron Curtain was lifted and became the end of the Cold War. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia
Canadian Peacekeepers were sent to Bosnia with the UN to try to restore peace. During their time in Bosnia,peacekeepers were kept hostage by the Serbs. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Somalia
in 1992 Somalia was suffering from famine and civil war. Therefore the UN formed a peacekeeping mission to help strengthen the reigion, and bring supplies to those who need it. Canada escorted famine relief convoys, participated in the removal of landmines and collected or destroyed thousands of confiscated weapons. But in 1995 the UN peace support mission withdrew and could not end the strife. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Rwanda
Peacekeepers led by Canadian General Roméo Dallaire were sent to Rwanda to help stop the massacre of the Tutsis but found themselves powerless. -
War on Terror
Is an international military campaign led by the US and the UK with support from NATO and non-NATO countries that reacted to the Al-Qaeda bombing the Twin Towers in New York -
Canada with NATO enters Afghanistan
After the September 11th attacks in 2001 by Al-Queda Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton advised Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to permit more than 100 Canadian forces members to take part in US' operations in Afghanistan. -
Saddam Hussein Dies
Hussein was executed on December 30 2006 after being found guilty with crimes against humanity. -
The Death of Osama Bin Ladin
US President Obama authorized on Bin Ladin's suspected location. Osama Bin Ladin, leader of the Al-Qaeda organization and resposible for the September 11 attacks on the two towers in New York dies from a gunshot in the head and in the chest.
