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Gouzenko Affair
Igor Gouzenko was a Soviet spy who acted as a double agent when he gave the Canadian government documents proving that the Soviet Union operated spy rings in Canada in exchange for protection. -
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Canada's International Involvement Between 1945 and 2011
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Canada joins the U.N.
In May of 1945, Canada and 49 other nations joined together as a single, international body to keep peace in the world. Since then, Canada has been a major contributor and aid, working in many foreign countries to keep peace. -
Iron Speech/Beginning of the Cold War
The Cold War was a war of ideologies between those who believed in Democracy and those who wanted Communism. In 1946, Winston Churchill had the Iron Curtain Speech which declared that Europe was divided by an "Iron Curtain" between the communist and non-communist states. -
Berlin Airlift
After the Soviets blackaded the railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied control that allowed the West to send supplies to West Berlin, supplies were flown by aircrafts for a period of 15 months. -
Canada joins NATO
After the Berlin Blockade, the Allies decided that a stronger and more permanent military presence was necessary to contain communism. As a result, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 1949. All members agreed to mutual defence and an attack on one member would be considered an attack on them all. -
Canada enters the Korean War
The communist North Korea invaded South Korea and refused to withdraw. The US then demanded the UN to aid in South Korea. Over 26,500 Canadians served in the UN effort. The war was significant for Canada as it showed that we would help in UN when neccessary. -
The Suez Crisis
Egyptian President, Nasser seized the Suez Canal (a trade route from Britain and France). As a result, Britain and France joined Israel to attack Egypt. The Soviet Union allied with Egypt and demanded that they withdraw. Lester Pearson, Canada's Minister of External Affairs went to the UN and suggested the creation of a United Nations Emergency Force to keep the two combatants apart while a settlement to the Suez Crisis was worked out. -
Canada joins NORAD
NORAD, the North American Defence System was created between Canada and the United States in 1957. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Cyprus
A Canadian peace-keeping force was present in Cyprus to prevent reoccuring hostilities between Turk and Greek Cypriots. -
Canada recognizes Communist China
Canada officially recognized the People's Republic of China as the legal government of China in 1970. We ackowledged the communist government before the United States which increased our growing independance in international affairs. -
Canada enters the Gulf War
Canada was part of the UN force that drove Iraq out of Kuwait through operation desert storm. Many Canadian citezens protested against the war back at home. -
Cold War ends
The Americans threatened to bomb the soviets if they did not move their missiles. The Soviets knew they could not compete with the Americans and surrendered. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia
Bosnia's desire for independence led to a civil war between its three major religious groups: the Orthodox, the Muslim, and the Catholics. In 1992, the peacekeeping mission UNPROFOR was created in Sarejevo. However, all of the "safe areas" that had been set up by the UN was crushed by the Serbs. Croatian soldiers began to attack Canadian soldiers. The efforts in Bosnia became known as the worst battle involving Canadian soldiers since the Korean War. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Somalia
In Somalia, Canadian soldiers were convicted of crimes against the local population. -
Canadian Peacekeepers in Rwanda
Small Canadian forces were sent to Rwanda under General Romeo Dallaire. They could not prevent the genocide. -
War on Terror
The phrase "War on Terror" was originally created by President of the U.S. George Bush to describe the military, political, legal, and ideological struggle against the organizations known as 'terrorist regimes' after the tragedy of 9/11. -
Canada with NATO enters Afghanistan
NATO troops are now involved in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
