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End of World War II
World War II ended with the Axis Powers waving the white flag. As many European countries became bankrupt after the war, USA and USSR were the new superpowers of the world. After seeing the ineffective League of Nations resulting from WWI, NATO and the Warsaw Pact both emerged from the end of WWII (and they were both very successful and strategic alliances.) The Cold War was a result of differences in the East and West, as well as the threat of using the nuclear weapons both sides possessed. -
Creation of United Nations
The name "United Nations" was introduced by Franklin Roosevelt, U.S. President, when 26 nations pledged to band together in order to fight the Axis Powers. Before United Nations, the main organization that promoted "international co-operation, peace and security" was the League of Nations (which failed after it caused WWII). Canada was an original member of United Nations, and helps it, to this day, bring nations together to work for peace and justice for all. -
Creation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was originally made up of 12 nations to coordinate military defenses against a possible attack from the Soviet Union. These nations thought of an attack on any one of them as an attack on all of them, and agreed to have each other's backs. Their ultimate goal was to keep freedom and defend threats. Today, there are 26 countries, including Canada, contributing to the security/peace keeping efforts of NATO. -
China: Taken Over by Communism
Chairman Mao Zedong was the leader of the communist take-over in China, after many civil wars and Japanese occupation. The country was soon in terrible condition: many roads, farms and factories desperately needed repairs. The Communist party controlled not only the media, but every level of society. New laws were put in place, such as no forced marriages, and punishments were very severe. After Mao's death in 1977, a new leader took a Capitalist approach which helped fix China's economy. -
The Korean War
In mid-February, 1951, many UN members intervened in Korea to try and make peace. Canada, along with 16 other United Nations, sent in airmen, sailors and soldiers. With 26 000 volunteers, our nation had one of the largest contributions made by the UN in North and South Korea. At Armistice, at least 516 Canadians were killed and thousands more went home with physical and emotional injuries. -
Creation of WARSAW Pact
The WARSAW Pact, also known as the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance, was a treaty signed by eight communist, European states. It was formed by the Soviet Union and was meant to be a force that opposed NATO. It gave the Soviet Union great power and control over its neighbouring countries. Similarly to NATO, the WARSAW Pact stated that if one of its signatories was attacked, every other country would defend it. In 1991, the Pact was dissolved by the few members left. -
Vietnam War
Lasting about 20 years, the Vietnam War was America's longest war. It was faught between communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam over the unification of the two Vietnams. The USA was helping South Vietnam avoid communist-take-over by the North. Canadians contributed to the American war effort in Vietnam by sending military supplies, boots, berets, food and more. South Vietnam eventually fell in 1975. Canada, as a result of the war, became far more independent and nationalistic. -
Lester Pearson Diffuses Suez Crisis
Canada's Foreign Minister, Lester Pearson, proposed the first UN peace-keeping mission in Egypt. What is going on in Egypt, you ask? Well, Gamal Nasser, Egyptian President, claimed that the Canal belonged to them, and only them. The British and French were so angry that they attacked (unarmed) Egypt. Both places desired its direct means of travel. Canada came in, without weapons, to keep peace. Pearson went on to be the first Canadian to win a Nobel Peace Prize. -
Birth of the Berlin Wall
The building of the "Berlin Wall" officially began on August 12, when East German soldiers laid down almost 50 km of barbed wire. Three days later, the wire turned into concrete and the Eastern German authorities hoped this new barrier would protect their citizens from the capitalist culture on the other side. The walls eventually grew to be 4.5 metres, were topped with barbed wire and heavily guarded. Somewhere around 5000 East Germans managed to jump over the Wall to freedom. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Just as the title reads: Soviets quickly & secretly built missile installations in Cuba but then were caught and the whole thing was, well...a crisis. President John F Kennedy was shown reconnassiance photos of the Soviet's dirty work and he announced the discovery on TV. Canadians were put on alert, hesitantly, but they were too late to make much of a difference. A deal was made between Kennedy and Kruschev (leader of Soviets) and the missiles in Cuba were dismantled. -
USSR Invades Afghanistan
Troops from the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the Communist (Marxist-Leninist) Afghan government against the Afghan Mujahideen guerrilla movement. Canada, America, the United Kingdom and other countries helped out Mujahideen during this nine year war. The Soviets and Afghan government received support from the Indian government. The main reasons the Soviets invaded were 1)for better access to the Indian ocean for trade and their naval fleet, and 2)Afghanistan's natural resources. -
Death of the Berlin Wall
"Tear down this wall!" was the cry from US president Reagan, urging Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to destroy the Berlin Wall, once and for all. The wall was eventually brought down on November 9, 1989 and East Germans were allowed to enter into West Berlin for the first time in 30 years. For the next two days, people celebrated throughout the streets of Berlin. Many took it upon themselves to grab a hammer and hack away at the remains of the Berlin Wall that had oppressed them for so long.
