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Quebec’s Padlock Law
The Padlock act was created to protect Quebec against the spread of communism. Empowered local sheriffs to close down and sieze meeting places or residences of suspected communists and communist groups. -
Spies in Canada: Gouzenko Affair
Gouzenk AffairIgor Gouzenko, a Russian spy, fled from the Soviet embassy in Ottawa to offer the Canadian government 109 secret documents that would expose soviet spy networks in return for his permanent residency in Canada. One of the networks had even stolen secrets of the atomic bomb. He was at first not taken seriously, but when there was an attempt on his life by Russian spies, his information was used to arrest 19 soviet spies in Canada. -
Berlin Blockade
Berlin BlockadeThe Soviet Union broke an agreement with former allies by placing a blockade on all of the Western Allies’ supply lines to Western Berlin, including their railway and canal. In response, the Allies organized airlifts of supplies to the people of West Berlin. This was the first major issue of the Cold War. -
International Alliances: NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed due to widespread concerns about the Soviet Union’s growing communist influence around the world. Defense pact intended to protect members from Soviet aggression, including founding nations such as Belgium, Britain, France, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United States. -
“The Forgotten War” The Korean War
Korean WarThe Korean War began mainly over the debate between communism and democracy. North Korea supported communism, while South Korea supported democracy. North Korea launched an attack on South Korea, but the United Nations came to their aid, as the Soviets assisted the North. 25,000 Canadians fought in the Korean War, until the truce in 1953. Was known as the forgotten war due to the lack of public attention.Canadian troops stayed in Korea to oversea the truce and keep the peace. -
Vietnam War and Draft Dodgers in Canada
When the Vietnam War began, the United States government instilled military conscription on the war. But there were thousands of citizens opposed to the war itself and refused to draft. This was called draft evasion and was considered a criminal offense. To escape definite wartime, large groups of people, called the draft dodgers, fled to Canada with their families. -
Pearson Wins the Nobel Prize
The Suez Crisis created a global problem between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies that need to be resolved. Canadian Foreign Minister, Lester B. Pearson made a plan that called an immediate end to all shooting and organized the worlds first United Nations emergency peacekeeping force in Egypt to ensure the peace. For his actions, Pearson won the Nobel Prize. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
Suez CrisisWar in the Middle East between the Arabs and Israelis over the state of Israel was at peace until 1956. Egyptian General Nasser took full control of the Suez Canal, which meant a loss of power for the Britain and France. At the time, the Soviet Union was supporting Egypt, Syria, and Iraq, while NORAD supported Israel. Israel, Britain, and France attacked Egypt to regain control, sparking high tension between NORAD and the Soviet Union. -
Continental Alliances: NORAD and DEW
Dew LineNorth American Air Defense (NORAD) was created by the US and Canada to defend against enemy soviet missiles. The United States built several defense installations throughout the North West Territories to create the Distant Early Warning(DEW) defense system. The DEW line could detect approaching enemy aircraft or missiles from 4800 kilometers away. -
Sputnik and Canada’s Space Program
SputnikSoviets launched “Sputnik”, the first space satellite, causing the North Americans to worry of their military disadvantage. The panic of their shortcomings in the battle to space began the Canadian Space Program and kick started the nuclear arm race between the Soviets and Western Allies. -
Diefenbaker, Bomarc Missiles, and Nuclear Warheads in Canada
Prime Minister Diefenbaker promised prosperity when he was elected, but when he declared his support for nuclear warheads for defense purposes, the majority of Canada turned on him. After the cancellation of the Avro Arrow, Diefenbaker threw his support behind the Bomarc missiles. He promised many jobs that did not come and was later voted out. However, Canada gained a successful defense system, as they were the world's firsts supersonic, long-range, anti-aircraft missiles -
Avro Arrow and its Cancellation
The Avro Arrow was a supersonic, interceptor, jet aircraft being developed by Canadians that PM Diefenbaker cancelled, making defensive missiles instead. Cancellation of the Avro Arrow left 1400 Canadians without jobs. The plane became $400 million when it could have been the fastest aircraft in the world. Its loss enraged millions of Canadians and began the fall of John Diefenbaker. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile CrisisAn American U2 spy plane photograpghed Soviet missile sites being built in Cuba. Missiles from Cuba could target any big city in North America successfully. President Kennedy immediately organized a blockade around the country to stop the delivery of missile supplies. Canada did not agree with these actions, but instead suggested an examination of the missile sites. This was ignored. Civilians began to panic and prepare for nuclear warfare, but the crisis ended after 14 days of chaos -
Canada- Soviet Hockey Series
Hockey SeriesFor many years, amatuer hockey came close, but could not defeat the European teams. Especially Russia, as they had a strange technique and strategy that was completely foreign to the Canadians. Finally, a competition was organized between the top Russian players and a Canadian team of NHL players. In result, Canada proved that they could in fact beat the Soviets. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin wall symbolized the end of the cold war. Thousands of Europeans travelled west after the "iron curtain" that had previously separated communist east and democratic west. The wall had prevented communist ruled east Berlin people from leaving for 28 years and were finally freed. -
The Fall of the Soviet Union
The dissenigration of the Soviet Union was due to many different events. The economy was crippled by military overspending, USSR citizens revolted and pursued against communist, and the new Russian leader even banned the political party itself. In result, communism was replaced by a Commonwealth of Independent States.
