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Quebec's Padlock Law
Premier Maurice Duplessis introduced the Quebec Padlock Law. The Padlock law empowered Quebec police to lock down any property where communist activity was suspected. The act was to protect the province against communist propaganda. -
Gouzenko Affair: Discovery of Soviet Spies in Canada
CBC videoIgor Gouzenko was trained in intelligence work, which led to his assignment to the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa in 1943. During the years he spent investigating, Gouzenko discovered that several spy networks where being operated in Canada and other western countries for Soviet intelligence. He also discovered that Soviet spies were working to steal the secrets of the Atomic bomb. -
Gouzenko Affair: Government obtains secret documents
In 1945, Gouzenko found out that he and his family were going to be sent back to Russia. To avoid this outcome, he offered secret documents about the work of the Soviet spies to the Canadian government in return for permanent protection. It wasn’t until Soviet spies attempted to kidnap him, that the Canadian government took action. Gouzenko’s findings were able to later convict 18 out of 39 people, whose crimes were related to spying. His documents were also shared with Britain and the USA. -
Berlin Blockade: At the End of WW2
At the end of World War 2, Germany was divided into four parts, one for each country; USSR, USA (allied with Canada), France, and Britain. Berlin was also split into four parts, again one for each country. Eventually, the US, France and Britain joined together to create democratic West Germany and Berlin, the Soviets making a communist Eastern Germany and Berlin. The relationship between the US and the Soviet Union became increasingly worse, neither side trusted each other. -
Berlin Blockade: "The Iron Curtian"
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill described the division of Europe as the Iron Curtain between Eastern and Western Europe, because it blocked the free movement of information, people and products. Each side did not agree with each other’s government systems. In Western Berlin, propaganda was huge in promoting their own side of Berlin. Once the US found Soviet spies operating in many western capitals, Soviet intentions more grew more suspicious. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
The United Nations recognized the new state of Israel. The Arabs were outraged and refused to recognize the state of Israel, as they also had historic claims to the same land. The Arabs intentions were to destroy it before more land was taken. Many Jewish people had immigrated in large numbers to this area. Although, Israeli forces defeated the Arab forces later that year, taking even more land and leaving Arabs promising revenge. An unstable truce, that lasted to 1956, was observed by the UN. -
Berlin Blockade: Unquestionable Cold War
The Soviet Union attempted to force the allies to give up their rights and Western Berlin by physically blocking all supply lines to West Berlin. The blockade did not succeed because the allies organized an airlift carrying food and supplies to the needy West Berliners. The blockade only rose the tensions between the allies and the Soviet Union. Even though the war was never officially announced, the cold war between the Allied side and the Soviet side could not be questioned. -
Berlin Blockade: Unquestionable Cold War continued...
Each side began to build their military and spent large amounts of money on military equipment and nuclear weapons. Both spied on each other to discover military secrets and government plans. Governments also encouraged that citizens take precautions. Many built bomb shelters, communities made and practiced civil defense (CD) incase of an attack, schools practiced attack drills and radio and television were interrupted with emergency broadcasts. -
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International Alliances: NATO
The Soviet Union was open about their commitment to spread its Communist system across the world and Canada and the US, as well as many other western countries, became increasingly worried about national security. Their shared concern led them to form of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO. NATO is a defense pact intended to protect members from the Soviet aggression, each member promising to defend each other. A the time, NATO only included Canada, the USA and 10 other countries. -
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“The Forgotten War”: The Korean War Begins
History.com AudioCommunist North Korea and China made the decision to attack South Korea. The United States supported South Korea against the Communist led attack and under American influence, The Security Council of the United Nations asked for UN members to help defend South Korea. Only 16 members responded to the call, Canada ranked 3rd in total aid to South Korea. -
“The Forgotten War”: The Korean War end
The Korean war ended. Almost 25,000 Canadian soldiers went into action before the truce, an agreement to stop shooting. Over 1000 were wounded and 406 Canadian soldiers were killed. The war effort from the few members of the UN ensured the independence of South Korea. Although, Canadian troops were to stay in Korea until 1955 to help maintain the unstable truce. -
Gouzenko Affair: Governor General’s Award
Gouzenko receives the Governor General’s Award for his Novel The Fall of the Titan. -
Warsaw Pact: Creation
Armies of the PactThe Soviet Union became fearful of a NATO attack. In response, they created the Warsaw Pact, a rival military alliance, between countries from behind the iron curtain. It included Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romina, and the Soviet Union. -
Warsaw Pact and NATO
NATO and the countries of the Warsaw Pact quickly started to focus on building their militaries, also known as an arms race. They fought for military superiority over one another. Eventually, they had both successfully developed the hydrogen bomb, a bomb with much more devastating effects than the bombings in 1945 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both sides stockpiled nuclear arms, enough to destroy the enemy several times. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis rising tensions
The location of the Suez Canal linked Europe with Africa and Asia. The location of the Suez Canal is also home to many large petroleum reserves. Britain, France, the United States and the Soviet Union were very interested in this petroleum rich area. The Soviet Union sided with the Arabs and Britain, France and the US sided with the Jewish (Israelis). The sitiuation became more dangerous. The countries siding, sold their weapons to either the Jew or the Arabs, where the weapons could be tested. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
When Egyptian leader, General Nasser decided to nationalize the Suez Canal in Egypt, French and British owners of the canal were outraged. The French and British owners would lose a lot of power and wealth and their governments would also lose the strategic control over the petroleum rich region. France, Britain and Israel made a secret agreement to regain control together. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
Israel forces were first to invade Egypt, officially starting the Suez Crisis. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
Video French and English troops landed and followed the Israeli forces in the invasion of Egypt and the fight to gain control of the Suez Canal. The Soviet Union responded to the situation by threatening to shower Western Europe with nuclear missiles if the invasion of Egypt did not stop. NORAD members were put into a uncomfortable situation; they were allies of the French and British and supported the new state of Israel but they agreed with the Soviets that the attack on Egypt was wrong. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis- Lester Pearson's Solution
Pearson's Proposal to the UNAfter many sleepless nights, Lester Pearson, Canada’s secretary of state for external affairs, found the solution to the Suez Crisis. Pearson presented his plan to the UN General Assembly. It called for all shooting to stop and the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to be created, which would monitor the withdrawal of the invading countries and patrol the border areas of Egypt. The plan was agreed upon. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis- Lester Pearson
UN troops in EgyptThe first United Nation Emergency Force landed in Egypt. Canada contributed 800 soldiers, the largest amount of soldiers to be provided by any nation. The UNEF soon grew to 6000 troops that provided protection for Egypt. Since the beginning of the UNEF, the peacekeeping forces continue to attempt to bring peace to conflicts that arise in the world. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
The British and French forces withdrew from Egypt. The UNEF and the United States successfully pressured the countries into leaving Egypt. After a few months, Israeli forces followed the British and French forces and withdrew from Egypt. The UNEF and the United States successfully pressured Israel into leaving Egypt. UNEF troops remained in Egypt to ensure peace. -
Continental Alliances: NORAD and DEW line
The arms race of the cold war had military technology rapidly advancing. The development of long-range missiles capable of dropping a nuclear bomb from 16,000 km away began worry North America. It was decided that North America needed a stronger defense system against enemy missiles. The North American Air Defense (NORAD) agreement was created and signed between the United States and Canada. The agreement promised that in an attack, the countries would defend each other. -
Continental Alliances: NORAD and DEW line
DEW lineCanada allowed the Americans to build several defense installations in the Northwest Territories to make the Distant Early Warning Line system or the DEW Line. The radar antennae located at the various stations along the DEW line could detect approaching enemy aircrafts and missiles from 4800 km away. When a unidentified object was detected, NORAD headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado would be alerted. Headquarters controls the all offensive and defensive weapons. -
Continental Alliances: NORAD and DEW line continued..
Many Canadians believed that Canada’s defensive system was in American hands. Canadian pacifists believed that nuclear war was to be fought over Canada’s north, while others were comfortable with unity between Canada and the United States’ defensive system against the Soviet Union. -
Sputnik Launch
SputnikThe Soviet Union launched their first Sputnik satellite. North America became worried when the Soviets launched the Sputnik satellite because the rocket that launched it could also easily be used to drop a nuclear warhead to any spot in North America. The fear that the Soviet Union had a stronger and advanced military over the USA, Americans created long-range missiles or ICBMs. In return, the Soviets also began to build long-range missiles. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis- Lester Pearson wins Nobel Peace Prize
Lester Pearson is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his solution to the Suez Crisis. -
Avro Arrow and its Cancellation
During the campaign for a new Prime Minister, the Conservatives’ John Diefenbaker, promised thousands of jobs to be made if he became Prime Minister, which won him the largest majority vote in history. His mistake; he stopped the development of the expensive and advanced jet aircraft, the Avro Arrow. The Canadian fighter jet was developed and built by Canadians and when it was cancelled, 14,000 Canadians lost their jobs. Canadian economy began to slow down and Canada's defence was at risk. -
Diefenbaker, Bomarc missiles and nuclear warheads in Canada
Instead of keeping the Canadian developed and made Avro Arrow, Diefenbaker imported the ready-made American Bomarc missiles for Canada’s defense, negetivily effecting the economy and adding the reliance with Americans that their productions would be able to defend Canadians. Warheads were not allowed in Canada, which limited the American control of when Canadian missiles could be used. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Eastern Germany permanently closed the border between East and West Berlin. Many families were separated and all West Berliners that worked in East Berlin lost their jobs. Barbed wire fencing and armed guards blocked the border for the next few weeks as the wire fence was being developed into a strong concrete barrier. -
Warsaw Pact and NATO: Arms Race and Canada
Canadians against the war and for settling the problems, began to protest. Other Canadians were worried about safety and United States domination. As a result, the Canadian government prohibited nuclear weapons in Canada. Which was reversed in 1963 and again in 1971, resulting in the removal of all missile sites in Canada. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
In 1962, another fence was built and anyone trying to escape East Berlin would be shot. “The Death Strip” was the area that divided the two sides of Berlin. In 1975, “Border Wall 75” made of solid concrete, was finally completed after 5 years, creating a 3rd barrier between East and West Berlin. Wire fencing was added, almost 300 watchtowers, guard dogs, bunkers, and anti-vehicle trenches were added to the wall. Although, 5,000 East Berliners made it to the West. -
Canada’s Space Program
Alouette 1The Alouette 1 was launched into orbit. After the Soviets and the Americans launched their own satellites, Canadians proposed their first satellite, Alouette 1, to NASA. The satellite was sprung from a two-stage Thor-Agena rocket which was launched from the Pacific Missile Range. It was put into orbit and produced over million images of the ionosphere and send data to scientists on earth, studying how the ionosphere effected radio communication; Soviet's Sputnik threat could be investigated. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Tensions rose once again towards war. American spy planes had flown over Communist Cuba and had taken pictures of the construction of the Soviet missile sites there. From Communist Cuba, missiles could be launched and accurately hit any place in North America. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
VideoUS President Kennedy imposed the plan of a naval blockade around Cuba to stop the Soviets from delivering missiles and nuclear bombs on ships. American children were drilled in attack procedures and nuclear bomb shelters were ready. Canada proposed that the USA take down their blockade and that all sites suspected to be Soviet missile bases in Cuba be inspected by experts. The Americans did not listen. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile StorySoviet ships turned around and the threat of war, The Cuban Missile Crisis, had ended. -
Vietnam War and Draft Dodgers in Canada
Draft Dodgers Tons of young Americans came to Canada to escape the compulsory military service in the United States for the Vietnam War. They were called draft-dodgers. Many returned to the US after the war, but some stayed. Some Canadians volunteered to server with the American force to stop the advance of Communism. -
UN Peacekeeping: The Suez Crisis
Egypt asked the UNEF troops to leave. -
Canada-Soviet Hockey Series
In previous years, Canadian amateur hockey teams came close to victory in Olympic and World championship games against European, particularly Russian teams but were defeated each time. The Europeans' game focused on passing and set plays, different from the individual and rougher style of game played by Canadians. Although, the Canadians believed they could beat any European team with a Canadian team of NHL players. -
Canada-Soviet Hockey Series continued..
A series was organized between the Russians and the confident Canadian team, which was full of NHL players. Surprising the Canadians, the Russian team had tied the series. Moscow hosted the final game, where the two teams fought to break the tied game. Although, in the last minutes of the game, Paul Henderson scored, giving Canada the game and series win. -
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Gouzenko Affair: Gouzenko's Death
Gouzenko died from natural causes. From 1945 till his death, Gouzenko and his family lived under fake identities and Canadian government security, Gouzenko only appeared publicly under his real name when shielded by a white mask. To many Canadians he is remembered as the courageous man who alerted the western world to the threat of the Soviet Union. -
Warsaw Pact and NATO: Mid 80s
Some military strategists believe that knowing that the enemy is prepared to fight back is the best way to avoid attacks. This is called deterrence. This point fueled the arms race on both sides and led to the height of the arms race in the mid-80s, when enough nuclear power had been developed to destroy all human life. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Destruction of the Berlin Wall 2Fall of the Wall- vid 1In June, 1987, the U.S President Ronald Reagan gave a speech at the wall, asking that it be torn down. Then, on October 3, 1990, East and West Berliners began to tear down the wall that kept them separated for nearly 30 years. Finally, families and friends were reunited. -
The Fall of the Soviet Union
VideoBy the end of the year, the Soviet Union had collapsed. The overspending on their military had made an extremely unstable economy. Many political crisis occurred, and the people of the Soviet Union no longer supported communism in their government. The Communist Party was banned and all it's property was taken. He then created a weak Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Each of the states banned Communism. With no interest in continuing tensions with the West, the 45-year-old cold war ended
