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V-E Day
Victory in Europe Day was declared after Hitler commits suicide and the Germans surrender to the allied forces. Canadians played a role in this victory with the liberation of Holland. -
V-J Day
Victory in Japan Day occured on August 14th, 1945 when the Japanese declared after the two atomic bombs. Canadian soldiers were free to go home after peace was declared. -
The United Nations is Created
The United Nations is an international organization made up of nations around the world to promote peace, justice, human rights and social and economic development. Canada is one of the many founding memebers of the UN. -
Creation of NATO
NATO - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created to build a permanent military presence and to prevent Soviet expansion in Europe. Canada is a leading member. -
Communist Take Control of China
Mao Zedong and his communist government took over China. Canada eventually noticed the communist government and pushed the United Nations to help change the communist government back to its old governement. -
The Korean War
North Korea invades South Korea with the help of the Soviet Union. Canada made a huge contribution with 26,500 Canadians serving in the war. The Korean War was significant for Canadians because they proved that they supported the United Nations. -
Creation of the WARSAW Pact
The WARSAW pact was developed in response to NATO in 1955 as a defensive alliance of the Soviet Union and its Satellite states. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was the struggle between nationalist forces attempting to unify the country of Vietnam under a communist government and the United States with the help of South Vietnamese trying to stop the spread of communism. -
Lester Pearson diffuses the Suez Crisis
Egypt seized the Suez Canal from the French and the British who used the canal as an important trade route. Britain and France joined Israel to attack Egypt, who had the Soviet Union on their side. Lester Pearson, Canada's Minister of External Affairs, went to the United Nations to propose their first peace-keeping mission. -
Berlin Wall is Built
The Berlin Wall was built during the middle of the night by communist East Germany. The wall ran across the city and separated West Berlin and Western Europe from necessary supplies. Canada and other Allied nations provided food and supplies to West Berlin. This wall was built to prevent people from escaping communism. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Soviets brought nuclear weapons into cuba under Fidel Castro. The United States set up naval blockades around Cuba, to keep Soviet ships out of Cuba. The Soviets promised to remove the nuclear weapons if the United States promised not to invade Cuba. Nuclear weapons sailed by Canda during this time which brought fear to many Canadians. -
USSR Invades Afghanistan
The Soviets in attempt to invade Afghanistan, put 350 missiles in Eastern Europe. Within a short time, the Soviets fulled invaded Afghanistan and brought to power a new leader, Babrak Karmal. -
Berlin Wall is Torn Down
The fall of the Berlin Wall is seen as the symbol for the end of the Cold War and the the day East Germany lost power. It reunited Germany together.
