Unit Six: Canada Matures: Growth in the Post-War Period (1945-1970) 6.4: Canada s role on the international stage: emergence as a middle power, involvement in international organizations
Meeting the Aliens Soviet and American troops met at the Elbe River in Germany in April 1945. Both were surprised at how normal the others were... Soviets=communist Americans=capitalist
Countries liberated by... 1945
The Cold War Defined Period of high tension between the 2 superpowers, the US and the USSR, from 1945-1990 Often considered a war between communism and capitalism Involved threat of war rather than open conflict
Rise of the Superpowers Both the USSR & the USA emerged from WWII more powerful than all other nations Their large populations, massive land & resource wealth, & military strength had made them superpowers Though they have allied in WWII to defeat Hitler, there were basic differences between them
USA VS USSR A democracy with free elections, led by an elected president Freedom of speech and belief Capitalism - private ownership and the right to make money. A one-party state led by a dictator. There were elections, but you could only vote for the Communist Party State control: censorship, secret police, terror and purges. Communism - state ownership of the means of production, and the belief that wealth should be shared.
USA VS USSR Led by Truman, who believed that Communism was evil. Had the atomic bomb - but was scared of Russia's conventional army. Angry about the Nazi- Soviet Pact that was a major factor in starting the Second World War. Led by Stalin, who believed that capitalism was evil. Had the biggest army in the world - but was angry that Truman had not warned that he was going to drop the atomic bomb. Believed that America and Britain had delayed opening the second front (attacking France) to let Germany and Russia destroy each other on the eastern front.
As the 2 superpowers after WWII, the US and the USSR affected every country in the world They both thought THEIR way was the best way When they got along, everyone exhaled. But when they clashed over an issue, the world held its breath. Open conflict could mean NUCLEAR WAR!!!
Canada during the Cold War During the Cold war Canada was a middle power. Smaller than a great power but wealthier and more powerful than smaller or poorer nations. Canada was on the same side as the US because: They were both capitalist and feared the spread of communism Canada`s economy was tied to the US`s They shared a border *Canada had a difficult balance not ``lose itself`` and be swallowed up by the US while be a solid partner with the US on the world stage
The US had a policy of containment they would not let the Soviet Union (and communism) expand any further This angered the Soviets (obviously!) and both sides began building up their nuclear weapons in case they went to war Canada became an important part of the US`s defence plans (NATO & NORAD)
Canada and the Cold War: Defense Strategies 1. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization: NATO was formed in 1949 as a defensive alliance against the spread of Soviet communism into Western Europe. Founding members were Canada, the US, Britain and France. An attack against one member was considered an attack against them all. Canada initially sent an army brigade to West Germany and air force division to France.
Canada and the Cold War From 1945-1969 The Warsaw Pact Formed by the Soviet Union in 1955 as a response to NATO Members included all Soviet countries except Yugoslavia
Defence strategies 2. NORAD-(North American Radar Defence Systems) Radar lines constructed in Canada s North and far North to warn of a Soviet missile attack (see map p. 262) Funded largely by the US Treated as American territory
NORAD s Headquarters in Colorado
NORAD s Headquarters in Colorado
NORAD S Best known use now...
National Geo Megastrutures NORAD Youtube National Geo Megastructures NORAD...FIRST 5 MINS
Cold War Economy The CW strengthened Canada s economy because of the new focus on defence: Mining: titanium and aluminum used for aircraft and missiles; uranium used for atomic bombs CANDU: nuclear reactor developed to provide new energy (and essential for nuclear weapons)
A Changing World The Korean War had occurred between 1950-53 between Communist North Korea (USSR & China) & Democratic South Korea (U.S.-led United Nations coalition including Canadian forces) The Soviets acquired atomic weapons (1949) which triggered an arms race for nukes with the USA By the mid 1950s, Nuclear paranoia & a fear of communism had become firmly established throughout the world
Life in the Atomic Age Fears of nuclear war & communism impacted ordinary life & activities for Canadians Youtube Atomic Cafe 50 mins 1:05) Youtube Duck & Cover (Civil Defence) 4 mins til end) Opening up the Diefenbunker (CBC Archives)
Canada and the Cold War From 1945-1969 The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) In October 1962, the Americans photographed missile bases being constructed in Cuba, only 140km from Florida. The US (Kennedy) started a naval blockade of Cuba, to prevent Soviet ships carrying nuclear missiles from reaching Cuba. After some very tense negotiations, the Soviets (Khrushchev) backed down and recalled their ships. The world had barely escaped nuclear war. All other NATO allies responded quickly to the situation but Canada (Diefenbaker) did not. The Americans were furious at this slow response.
The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Canada and the Cold War From 1945-1969 The Cold War and the Everyday Lives of Canadians Canadians lived in constant fear of nuclear war. Many schools (including mine) had regular air raid drills. Governments and ordinary people built bomb shelters.
Canada and the Cold War From 1945-1969 Banning the Bomb By the 1960s many people in Canada were marching in protest of nuclear weapons, and demanded that Canada not support any nuclear weapon policies Canada never officially owned nuclear weapons, but American ones were stationed on our soil. Bomarc Missile, 1961-72
Canada and the Cold War From 1945-1969 Détente= easing of tensions. After the Cuban missile crisis, the US and the Soviets began talking more. In 1968, they agreed to stop helping non-nuclear countries to develop such weapons. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 signalled the end of the cold war.
From League of Nations to United Nations The United Nations was created in April 1945 by 50 countries, including Canada. Its goals included: bring an end to war encourage co-operation improve standards of living promote human rights
From League of Nations to United Nations Some of the UN's main agencies are: UNICEF (UN International Children s Emergency Fund. WHO: World Health Organization ILO: International Labour Organization UNESCO: UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948): a sample... -everyone is born free and equal -everyone has the right to life, liberty, and freedom from fear and violence -everyone has the right to protection under the law without discrimination -everyone has the right to equal pay for equal work -everyone has the right to an education
Peacekeeping (a Canadian 'invention', thanks to Lester B. Pearson): any UN military action to separate hostile forces, maintain truces and get food to hungry people
The Korean War (1950-1953) Started when Soviet-backed, Communist North Korea invaded US-backed, democratic South Korea on June 25, 1950 The UN responded by sending a force made up of 32 countries, led by the US to help South Korea. Canada sent about 34 000 soldiers to Korea; 516 died and 1032 were wounded
The Suez Crisis (1956) Occurred when Egyptian President Nasser seized the Suez Canal from the French/English company that controlled it. Britain, France and Israel attacked The Soviet Union declared support for Egypt and the world seemed to be on the brink of world war. Lester Pearson suggested that a UNEF (UN Emergency Force) be positioned between the opposing forces until a solution could be worked out. It was the start of peacekeeping and Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize for his idea in 1957.
Cyprus (1964-1993) Occurred when a conflict between the Greek majority and the Turkish minority got out of hand. Canada sent a 3-month peacekeeping force which stayed until 1993, cost over $600 million and 30 Canadian lives.