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Quebec's Padlock Law
An act passed by the Quebec government to "Protect the Province Against Communism Propaganda". It gave local sheriffs the power to close down meeting places of suspected communist activty. Picture shows the doorway of a weekly communist newspaper in Montreal. -
Spies in Canada: Gouzenko Affair
Gouzenko was a Soviet Spy who trained in Russia to spy on the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa in 1943. Unhappy with Soviet life and politcs he defected to Canada. In exchage for secret governemnt documents exposing the work of soviet spies, he asked for permanent protection in return. As a result of the documents he supplies, 18/39 of the people he named were convited of criminal activity. To protect his new identity he wore a white hood in public. -
Berlin Blockade
After the Soviet Union broke an agreement with its former allies, it atteplted to force the allies to give up thier rights to occupy the western part of berlin. They also attempted to physically block all supply lines to West Berlin by building a wall through the middle of the city. The blockade raised tensions between the Soviet and its former allies. -
International Alliances: NATO
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defense pact between Canada, the United States and several countries in Western Europe intended to protect members against Soviet aggression and communnism. Picture shows countries in NATO. -
"The Forgotten War"-the Korean War
Communist Korea suppported by Communist china decided to attack North Korea. The United States used their status as a member of the Security Council in the United Nations to assist South Korea. Canada ranked third in total war effort and 2500 Candians saw action before a truce was called. -
Vietnam War & Draft Dodgers in Canada
National forces in Vietnam were trying to unify the country under a communist government while the United States and South Vietnam were attempting to stop the spread of communism. Canada was on the American side and sent forces and supplies into South Vietnam. Draft dodgers were people who immigrated from America to Canada to avoid conscription. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis and Pearson wins Nobel Prize
Egypt decided it wanted full control of the Suez Canal as it was an important waterway. France, Britain and Israel agreed to reagain control of it. The solution was found by Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. He presented a plan to the UN which called for an immediate end to all shooting and a special UN army to moniter the removal of all troops. The plan was put in place and in 1957 Pearson was awarded a Nobel prize for peace. -
Sputnik and Canada's Space Program
In 1957 the Soviet launched the first satellite, however the rocket that put Sputnik into orbit could also be used to deliver a nuclear warhead to any spot in North America. Afraid the military adavantage had shifted, they quickly expanded their space programs building sever new long range missiles and forming NORAD. -
Diefenbaker, Bomarc missles and nuclear warheads in Canada
John Diefenbaker led the conservatives to a minority governement and helped to cut taxes, help farmers and raise pensions. Bomarc aircraft missles were fitted with nuclear warheads. There was dispute in Canada as it if nuclear warheads should be allowed, it wasn't until 1963 after the fall of the conservatives that a decision was made to allow nuclear warheads in Canada. -
Continental Alliances: NORAD and DEW
With the development of long range missiles, it was clear North America needed a better air space program so Canada and the US formed the North American Air Defense. The DEW (Distance Early Warning) line was a defense line across the Northwest Territories to pick up approaching enemy signals from far away. -
Avro Arrow and its Cancellation
The Avro Arrow was a technically advanced fighter jet developed and built by Canadians. The development was stopped due to costs. -
The Cuban Missle Crisis
The Sovuet Union had several missile sites in Communist Cuba that could be accuratley launched to hit anywhere in North America. President Kennedy imposed a naval blockade around Cuba to stop the Soviet from delivering missiles. The Canadian governement suggested that instead of a blockade, all sites of suspected missile bases should be examined. THe blockade remained and Soviet ships turned back before reaching the blockade. -
Canada-Soviet Hockey Series
A series between a Russian team and a Candian team of NHL players was organized. Canada was confident it would outplay Russia, however Russia played equally as well and in the last few minuted of the final game, Paul Henderson scored to give Canada the series. -
The Fall of the Soviet Union
The leader of the Soviet Union, Brezhnev died. The Soviet Union realized they could not compete with the United States as the price of oil was dropping and a lack of foreign exchange reserves led to a series of desicions made by leaders. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Fall of the Berlin Wall was caused by protesters. A conference was held to discuss the new regulations and the demolition of the wall.
