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End of World War 2
After the defeat of Germany, US uses an atomic bomb on Japan to officially end WW2. This new atomic technology belonged to the Americans, who didn't want to share thier knowledge with the Soviet Union. -
United Nations
After the second world war, the allied nations met in San Francisco and created a new United Nations. The main goal of the UN was to promote world PEACE while also adressing economic and social problems through international cooperations. A security council was also introduced in which Canada served as a non-permanent member. This security council was given the power to maintain peace through military force. -
Communism in Soviet Union
In Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union promotes Communism throughout governments. Any anti-communists were to be considered as outlaws. -
Gouzenko Affair
Igor Gouzenko, was a cipher clerk for the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa. Igor exposed the Soviet Union of their spies operating in Canada, Britain and the United States. These spies tried to steal nuclear secrets. The Gouzenko Affair is oftern refered to as the start of the Cold War -
"Red Scare"
The launching of intensive public inquiries into communist-influenced governenments trying to identify communist sympathizers in trade, universities and entertainment industries. This action was launched by American and American governments. -
The Truman Doctrine
The goal of the Truman Doctrine was to prevent the spread of Communism throughout Western Europe. They did this by expanding military forces to Western Europe. France and Italy were main threats for possible Communists governments in the West. The aim of the policy was to "contain communism" -
The Marshall Plan
A plan where the United States provided Western Europe five million dollars to recover from the post war damage. The nations of Eastern Europe, which is now under Soviet Domination did not recieve any support from the Marshall Plan. Canada also comitted some economic assistance. -
N.A.T.O.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A military alliance in which many western countries take part in. Some members of N.A.T.O. are Canada, United States, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy and Britain. An attack on any member meant an attack on all members. Three members of N.A.T.O. also had nuclear weaponry; Britain, France and the US. The Warsaw Pact was the Eastern opposite of N.A.T.O. -
The Korean War
The Korean war starts with the invasion of South Korea from North Korea. South Korea, who is allianced with the West recieves help from the United Nations who send American troops along with some UN forces. Canada also provided 22 000 of its own troops to accompany South Korea. -
Hungarian Revolution
With the domination expanding of communism and the Soviets, Hungary falls victim to this and tries to fight back againt the Soviets but fail. Many Hungarians fled to Canada after the revolt, this increased anti-Soviet and anti-communism feelings throughout other western democracies. -
The Suez Crisis
The Suez Canal located in Egypt was currently in Britain and France control. The Egyptians seized the canal wich triggered a reaction from Britain and France who was also joined by Isreal. The Soviets then stepped in defending the Egyptians threatening to attack Britain and France. The United Nations Emergency Force ( UNEF ) was created by Lester Pearson to keep peace between the opposing forces until words could used to settle things. -
Creation of N.O.R.A.D.
The North American Air Defence Agreement was created becuase the North American Countries; America and Canada feared future nuclear attacks against them. The NORAD created many missile defence systems across Canada to detect possible bombings from the Soviet. -
The Vietnam War
With the increase in American military settlement in Vietnam, many protests began in both Canada and the United States. As the battle in Vietnam continued, anti-American sentiment increased in western democracies. Canadian government officials made several attempts to promote peace in Vietnam. Prime Minister Pearson insisted that the US stopped thier bombing raids on Vietnam as a first step towards peace. This angered the US president, Lyndon Johnson. -
Apartheid
South Africa who was previously a part of the Commonwealth, had to be expelled becuase of its aparthied government. This was done by creating sanctions in communities against the aparthied system. All this was led by Canada. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuba, who was ruled by Fidel Castro who was allianced with the Soviets, was spotted constructing missile sites on thier soil by American spy planes. The US government asked the Soviets to remove the missiles from Cuba and they agree. The missiles are removed. During this crisis, the Diefenbaker government, who controlled some of the missile systems in Canada, refused to allow American authorities to deploy nuclear weapons on Canadian soil. These actions damaged Canadian/American relations. -
White Paper
The White Paper written on Canadian Foreign Policy, stated new goals for Canada. Canada was to be less commited to N.A.T.O. and its nuclear weaponry would be removed. The CIDA (Candian International Development Agency) was created and allocations for foreign aid increased from 15 to 20 percent a year up to 1975. -
Missile Race
With the Soviets installing 350 new missiles in Eastern Europe, The United States respond by placing Cruise missiles in Western Europe. -
The Soviet Union and Afghanistan
Afghanistan, being neighbours of Soviet Union, were soon invaded by them. In response, the western countries advertise against the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games which was supported by the Soviets. -
Election of Ronald Reagan
Reagan's goal was to modernize American military and focus the governments money investing newer technology in nuclear weaponry. This increased the tension between the Soviets and the US. The Strategic Defence Initiative was created, this initiative was designed to contruct a defencesive space shield against possible Soviet missile attacks. -
Cruise Missiles in Canada
The Canadian Government allows the United States to test unarmed Cruise Missiles in Canadian soil. Many Canadians were opposed to this action. -
The Mulroney Government
The Mulroney Government, in Canada, was determined to improve military and economic relationships between Canada and the United States. Mulroney accepted the US request to overhaul the continent's air defence system. The government alsso promised ti rebuild and requip the Canadian military. -
Mikhail Gorbachev
Gorbachev sees the struggle in economy in eastern Europe. Gorbachev's goal was to launch both economic and political reforms in the Sovviet Union and in Eastern Europe. He also attempted to conclude arms reduction agreements with the United States. -
The Berlin Wall Falls
Gorbachev announces that the Soviet Union would no longer impose its will on the citizens of Eastern Europe involving communism. These communist regimes in Easter Europe were to be destroyed. Also, the Berlin Wall, which divided the city of Berlin between western Europe and easter Europe, was torn down. -
The Soviet Union Disperses
The Soviet Union is now divided into fifteen smaller states, and the powerful communism loses its power. Russia, Ukraine and Georgia were just a few states Soviet Union was divided into. One of the main reasons for this was Gorbachev's many reforms on the Soviet's government. The fall of the Soviets also resulted in the Cold War coming to an end.
