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United Nations Created
The UN officially came into existence when the charter was signed by America, China, France, USSR, UK, Canada, and others. In April 1945, 50 countries met in San Francisco to create the United Nations. The UN had four goals: 1. Keep world peace 2. Encourage cooperation among nations 3. Defend human rights 4. Improve the standard of living for all nations. -
World War II Ends
VE Day occurred on May 8th, 1945. VJ Day "Victory in Japan" was announced on August 14th, 1945. After two atomic bombs, Little Boy and Fat Man, were dropped on Japan the fighting was over. On September 2nd, 1945, the Second World War was officially over.
Canada was an important figure in the Allied victory, especially in Europe -
NATO Created
The foreign ministers of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, France, US and other countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A key note of this military alliance read "an armed attack against one or more of the European signatories or the North American signatories, would be considered an attack against all of them." -
Communists Take Control of China
The Communist forces, led by Mao Zedong, defeated the Republican/Nationalist forces. As a result, some democratic people escaped to Taiwan. Canada eventually recognized the Communist government. -
Korean War
This is a war between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (supported by China). North Korea attacked South Korea. The 38th parallel in the picture is the Korean Demilitarized Zone, which acts as a buffer between North and South Korea. *Refer to the Korean War Timespan for more details. -
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The Korean War
With the assistance of the Soviet Union, the communist North Korea attacked democratic South Korea. During the course of the war, 26,500 Canadians served in the Korea. The war ended in an armistice. Canada's involvement was important because it proved our nation supports the United Nations. -
Creation of the Warsaw Pact
This pact was a defense treaty signed between eight communist states of Eastern Europe during the Cold War. It was the Soviet response to NATO. The picture demonstrates the division of the democratic and communist forces in the world. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was the source of many conflicting political and social opinions. North Vietnam attempted to overthrow the South Vietnamese government. The Democratic Republic of North Vietnam fought alongside the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. South Vietnam had US and Canada on its side. This war began when the French forces in Vietnam fell. Canada sent some personnel in an effort to keep peace. *Refer to the Vietnam timespan for more information. -
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Vietnam War
The war in Vietnam was supported by the United States, Canada, and other countries for the purpose of containment of communism. During this war, more than 30,000 Canadians served in the US armed forces and 110 Canadians lost their lives. -
Lester Pearson Defuses the Suez Crisis
Lester Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing a peacekeeping force to defuse the Suez Crisis. This was very significant because it established Canada as a leader in peacekeeping. Pearson initiated the resolution that ended the conflict between the Egyptian vs. French and British governments over the Suez Canal. He sent Canadians to be used as a UN peacekeeping force, setting the example for other countries. -
Berlin Wall Put Up
This barrier completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and East Berlin. It was put up by communist-controlled East Berlin officials. It served to prevent the massive emigration of communists from the East during the Cold War. It caused West Berliners to be deprived of necessary supplies. Canada helped out by supplying the West Berliners through air drops that fed several million people. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This was the closest the world ever came to a nuclear war. Since the Soviet missiles weren't nearly as strong as the US ones, they needed a base in America's "backyard". In Cuba, intermediate-range missiles were positioned at America. After a very frightening period, which culminated on October 27th, the crisis was negated. President J.F. Kennedy made the negotiations with the Soviet Union. The nuclear missiles were removed from Cuba in return for the United States promising to never invade Cuba -
USSR Invades Afghanistan
The nine-year war in Afghanistan was aimed to set up a communist government in the country. The Afghans received support from US and Canada. In 1989, the Soviet forces withdrew from Afghanistan, but the civil war still continues the Middle East country. Canadians re-entered Afghanistan in 2001 as a peacemaking unit. They entered as a part of NATO. -
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Soviet War in Afghanistan
The Soviets invaded Afghanistan in hopes of capturing the Persian Gulf. This lasted for nine years until it finally ended. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The symbol of the Cold War came tumbling down. The Cold War was over! Communism was contained while democracy prevailed. Some communist countries changed their country to a democracy. US, Canada, and other democratic Allies essentially brought peace without firing shots.
