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INTRODUCTION
Canada played a huge role during the Cold War by being involved in many international events and organizations. Canada didn't take part in fighting in every war, but they contributed in other ways and carried their own opinions. I'm going to show you all the important occurrences from 1945-1991 and give you examples of how Canada made an appearance in every event. -
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Canada's role in international events and organizations
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World War 2 ends
By 1945 the Royal Canadian Air Force was the fourth largest air force in the world. The Air Training Plan helped train the majority of piolots from British Colonies. The Royal Canadian Navy escorted the supply convoys to Europe and by 1945 was the third largest navy in the world. Played an important role in key battles such as Normandy, Dieppe, Sicily, Ortona, the Scheldt, Arnhem, and many others.Canada also produced a vast amount of supplies for British and Commonwealth forces. -
UN (United Nations) was created
An organization established in 1945 to bring peace and security to the world. Canada played and important part in drafting its charter. A supporter of its pledges to abolish disease and famine and to protects human rights ever since it was created. Canadian John Humphrey was the leading author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.vCanadian peacekeepers have been involved in almost every UN operation since the start. -
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was formed
The mutual defence organization set up to protect several Western European countries, Canada and the U.S. from possible aggression from the U.S.S.R. after the Second World War. Agreed to keep a full army brigade and several air squadrons in Europe (mostly in western Germany). Built and supplied military bases over seas. Canadian ships and aircraft tracked the movements of Soviet submarines. -
Korean War begins
Canadian forces participated in the UN force. Contributed 3 naval destroyers and thousands of soldiers. More than 1500 soldiers were seriously wounded and 516 died. Now also known as "Canada's forgotten war". -
Suez crisis
Lester Pearson went to the UN to try to work out a solution, and proposed that a multinational peacekeeping force be created and installed in the war zone to maintain ceasefires and oversee the withdrawal of troops. Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for helping to defuse the Suez crisis. Canada gained a reputation as an impartial and peace-loving country. -
U.S. and Canada sign the NORAD agreement
A defence agreement signed in 1958 between Canada and the U.S. Almost all the radar stations are station in Canada, starting with the Distant Early warning line, Mid Canada line, then the Pinetree line. These lines were made to detect surprise Soviet attacks over the North Pole, giving the U.S. enough time to launch a counterattack. -
Vietnam War begins
Canada's close relationship with the U.S. made it difficult for them to stay neutral during the war. They accepted American draft resisters (citizens who refuse to join the army to fight in a war during conscription) which upset the U.S. Canada didn't send troops to fight in the war, although thousands of Canadians did join the U.S. forces voluntarily. Canadian companies benefited from the war by selling goods to the U.S. Defence Department. -
Cuban Missle Crisis
U.S. expected Canada, its partner in NORAD, to provide unconditional support of its policies, and was furious when Prime Minister Diefenbaker was reluctant to have Canada drawn into the major conflict. The Canadian government refused to place Canada's NORAD forces on alert and didn't allow U.S. planes with atomic weapons to land at Canadian bases. Diefenbaker believed he was defending Canada's independence, when really 80% of Canadians thought he was wrong. -
International oil crisis
During the war in the Middle East between Israel and its Arab neighbours, many Western countries, including Canada, supported Israel. As a result, OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) which included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Arab oil-producing countries refused to sell oil to these countries. Oil and gas prices went up about 400%, Canadian businesses were failing and inflation stretched household budgets and increased the need for women to enter the workforce. -
FTA was signed with the U.S.
Mulroney led Canada into the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. PROs: eliminated tariffs; Canada would attract more U.S. investment; would give Canada access to the larger U.S. market; anttract U.S. firms to Canada to take advantage of our natural resources, skilled workers and well-planned transportation system. CONs: U.S. branch plants would move back to U.S. resulting in job loss; and Canadian business' couldn't compete against cheap American goods and services. -
Persian Gulf War begins
Canada contributed 2 destroyers, a supply ship, a squadron of CF-18 fighter jets, a field hospital, and hundreds of military personnel. There was a considerable debate in Parliament before forces were sent into combat. Canada made its commitment to enforce UN resolutions against Iraq. Not a single Canadian soldier was killed or injured during in the fighting. -
The Cold War ends - CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Canada contributed to the end of the Cold War by being a part of all the past events. If it weren't for Canada's courageous and thoughtful decisions in these international events, the world and our daily lives would likely be drastically different.