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Padlock Law
The Padlock Law was implemented in Quebec during 1937 to try and stop the spread of communism. It made it illegal to spread communist propaganda. This law was a clear sign to anyone that communism was not welcome in Canada. -
Gouzenko Affair
On September 5th, 1945, Igor Gouzenko,a worker at the soviet embassy in Ottawa introduced a new fear to the public. Concerned about going back home from Canada, Gouzenko leaked documents to the government containing records of espionage. Gouzenko was given asylum in Canada, but his informatiom showed all North Americans the itentions of the soviets, and started the cold war in the eyes of the public. -
Berlin Blockade
Berlin BlockadeThe U.S.S.R blocked all supply routres to the city of Berlin, which was completely surounded by soviet teritory. Allies eventually airlifted supplies to the city until May 12, 1949, when the blockade was lifted. This first major incident forshadowed the future political conflicts between the West and the East. -
N.A.T.O
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, was formed on April 4th, 1949. This organisation was created as a mutual defence pact, in the case of any country being attacked by the then rising threat, of the Soviet Union. The original members include, the U.S, Canada, England, France, and Belgium. This agreement would eventually pressure the Soviet Union into creating their own alliance system. -
Korean War
The Korean WarNorth Korean Communist forces backed by the U.S.S.R, invaded democratic South Korea, supported by the U.S and the United Nations. This was the first major military action in the cold war. The war would lead to over 5 million casualties in total, and the tension in the Korean peninsula today. It is important to know that Canada sent over 26,000 troops into this conflict. This war is known as the forgotten war, because it was overshadowed by WWII. -
Avro Arrow
The Avro Arrow was a Canadian developed aircraft that was meant for high speed military purposes. The Avro Arrow project took 6 years, and was finally abandoned for the lack of a want, and the high production costs. -
D.E.W line
A joint U.S and Canadian effort, led to the construction of early warning systems all along Canadas arctic coast. This system was implemented in case of a Soviet attack. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was formed to increase soviet influence over its neighbours, and as a supplement to N.A.T.O. The warsaw pact had 8 members. -
The Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis Egypt's governent attempted to nationalise the Suez Canal, which was a very important shipping route. This lead to attacks by England, France, and Israel on Egypt. The event brought the world to the brink of war once agian, with Soviets supporting Egypts actions. Eventually the Crisis would be solved by a Canadian named Lester Pearson. -
Lester Pearson and the Suez Crisis
Canadian foreign minister Lester Pearson propposes an end to all fighting in Egypt, and that a new United Nations peacekeeping force would stay in the Suez instead. This resolution went against what England wanted, but it put Canada in the world spotlight once again. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam WarThe Vietnam war lasted until 30 April, 1975. the war was a fight against communism, as the U.S government supported the democratic state of South Vietnam. The war had many casualties, and eventually lead to a U.S retreat. -
N.O.R.A.D
The North American Aeropace Defence Command, was set up during the cold war, as an early warning system to any incoming nuclear attacks. Canada and the U.S are the only two members, they continue to run the organisation today. -
Sputnik
Earths first satellite was Sputnik. It was launched by the Soviet Union, and started the "Space Race", between the U.S.S.R and the U.S. -
Diefenbaker and Warheads on Canadian Soil
Diefenbaker was often known to go against what Americans said, and stand up for Canada. This made him a concern with the American government. After the setup of N.O.R.A.D, Canada was relluctant to take any nuclear weapons on Canadian soil, and maintained this position of a sort of neutrality even during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This made Diefenbaker unpopular around the world, as most people felt Canada was not doing its part during the Cold War. -
Canada's Space Program
In 1962, Canada became the third nation to launch a satelite into orbit, with the launch of the Aloutte 1.This was a great achievment for Canada, showcasing its technological capabilities. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile CrisisThe 14 day long crisis, started with the Soviet Union placing nuclear missiles along the coast of cuba. From this position, missiles could hit almost every major american city. This event almost led to full on war once agian, but was defused by an agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union. -
Draft Dodgers
During the Vietnam war, it is estimated that over 60,000 men immigrated to Canada, to avoid the draft. These men were accepted happily by the Canadian government. They were generally well educated, and helped contribute to Canada.
After the war, about half the men continued to live in Canada. -
Summit Series
The Summit SeriesCanada and the Soviet Union played a hockey series, at the hight of the cold war. This Series resulted in a Canadian win, and great pride for the people of Canada. At a time when nationalism was strong, this win gave Canadians something to be proud of. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Fall of the Berlin WallThe Berlin wall had finally come down, after mass protests all over East Germany. After more than 40 years families reunited, after having been torn apart. The wall coming down is one of the major events leading to the end of the cold war, only 2 years later the Soviet Union would collapse, -
The Fall of the Soviet Union
Fall of the Soviet UnionThe slow decline of the Soviet Union finaly ended in 1991. Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, handed the country to the New Russian President, Boris Yeltsin. This effectivaly ended the cold war.
