The United Nations and the Cold War Collective Security and Superpower Confrontation

The United Nations (UN) Created by 51 countries Created by 51 countries –purpose of facilitating world peace through collective security Achieve Collective Security by: Resolutions-speak against the aggressor condemning it for its actions Resolutions-speak against the aggressor condemning it for its actions Sanctions-encourage UN members not to trade with the aggressing nation Sanctions-encourage UN members not to trade with the aggressing nation Military-send in a military force to create peace Military-send in a military force to create peace

Parts of the UN General Assembly General Assembly –Parliament of the world –Each country has one representative and one vote – passes resolutions Security Council Security Council –made up of 15 nations 5 permanent members-USSR, USA, France, Britain, China-they all hold veto power 5 permanent members-USSR, USA, France, Britain, China-they all hold veto power 10 non-permanent members that work on a 2 year term 10 non-permanent members that work on a 2 year term decisions need the agreement of 9 of the members, but any of the 5 permanent members can use their veto power to stop the decision. decisions need the agreement of 9 of the members, but any of the 5 permanent members can use their veto power to stop the decision. –Veto power was used 78 times prior to

Not just Peace… The Un is also pledged to end disease and famine, and protect human rights The Un is also pledged to end disease and famine, and protect human rights –this is carried out through organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s’ fund (UNICEF), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Korean Conflict: 1950 First test of the UN Korea divided after WWII- Korea divided after WWII- –communism in the north backed by the USSR and China –weak democracy in the south backed by the USA North Korea invades South Korea 1950-North Korea invades South Korea –Take most of South quickly UN forces, lead by America, enters Korea attempting to push the North Koreans back UN forces, lead by America, enters Korea attempting to push the North Koreans back –Canada sends thousands of troops and three Naval destroyers to assists. USA- MacArthur wants to use atomic bomb USA- MacArthur wants to use atomic bomb –MacArthur is fired Lester Pearson tries to convince all sides to agree to a ceasefire Lester Pearson tries to convince all sides to agree to a ceasefire –Ceasefire finally agreed upon in 1953, however, this war increased cold war tensions.

Suez Canal UN’s next big challenge

The canal allowed access to Asia from Europe

The Suez Crisis: 1956 Egypt Nationalizes (takes control of) the Suez Canal which was privately owned by British and French investors. Egypt Nationalizes (takes control of) the Suez Canal which was privately owned by British and French investors. –Israel thinks Egypt is becoming too aggressive –Britain and France support an Israel invasion despite a UN resolution to not interfere –USSR quickly backs Egypt –USA, although angry at its allies offers its support against the USSR Lester Pearson suggests that the UN send its military forces in to separate and mediate (Peace Keeping) between the armies involved. This proves to be successful Lester Pearson suggests that the UN send its military forces in to separate and mediate (Peace Keeping) between the armies involved. This proves to be successful

Cuban Missile Crisis 1959 – Fidel Castro overthrows pro-American government in Cuba 1959 – Fidel Castro overthrows pro-American government in Cuba –Americans react by imposing trade and economic sanctions –Try to get rid of Castro many times – eventually finance and supervise an invasion by anti-Castro forces (Bay of Pigs) – This fails miserably –Castro fears further US intervention and turns to USSR for support

USSR sends Nuclear missiles to Cuba USSR sends Nuclear missiles to Cuba US responds with a Naval and Air blockade US responds with a Naval and Air blockade USSR initially refuses to back down USSR initially refuses to back down –US has missiles in Turkey –USSR wants removed On the brink (edge) On the brink (edge) of Nuclear War of Nuclear War

What happened… Last minute Soviet leader Khrushchev backs down –Will remove missiles if US promises not to invade Cuba Canada as a partner in NORAD was expected by US to back them Canada as a partner in NORAD was expected by US to back them –Diefenbaker did not want to get drawn into a conflict stemming from what he thought was flawed US policy  Diefenbaker wanted the UN to send a fact finding mission Refused to put Canadian NORAD bases on alert  Refused to let US nuclear armed planes land at Canadian bases –Canada’s relations with US grow worse

Avro Arrow 1950s Canada begins the development of a supersonic Jet Fighter to counteract the threat of Soviet Nuclear armed Bomber aircraft 1950s Canada begins the development of a supersonic Jet Fighter to counteract the threat of Soviet Nuclear armed Bomber aircraft –Cancelled in 1959 by Diefenbaker Some say it was because the plane was too good and US interests did not want competition so US government put pressure on the Canadian govt. Some say it was because the plane was too good and US interests did not want competition so US government put pressure on the Canadian govt. Others say it was too costly and intercontinental missiles made it obsolete before it was even done Others say it was too costly and intercontinental missiles made it obsolete before it was even done Most of Canadian designers went down too the US and worked for US companies after the Arrow was scrapped (cancelled) Most of Canadian designers went down too the US and worked for US companies after the Arrow was scrapped (cancelled)

The Nuclear Issue in Canada After the Arrow was scrapped Canada agreed to accept US made BOMARC missiles on Canadian soil – took years and in the meantime Canadians had second thoughts After the Arrow was scrapped Canada agreed to accept US made BOMARC missiles on Canadian soil – took years and in the meantime Canadians had second thoughts –Became a huge debate in Canada –Hypocritical to urge the UN to work for disarmament and have nuclear missiles at the same time –Liberal- Yes to missiles under certain conditions (Business men did not want to make US mad) –Conservatives – No missiles (Canada should not be bullied by US – Nationalism) Liberals win minority in 1963 Liberals win minority in 1963

Vietnam War Domino Theory: Spread of communism had to be stopped or all of Southeast Asia would fall like dominoes Domino Theory: Spread of communism had to be stopped or all of Southeast Asia would fall like dominoes In the 1960s Vietnam was divided into North and South – like Korea In the 1960s Vietnam was divided into North and South – like Korea –North Communist –South Dictatorship friendly to US and backed by the US

1965 US President Lyndon Johnson authorizes increased number of US troops to back the South Vietnam govt US President Lyndon Johnson authorizes increased number of US troops to back the South Vietnam govt. –By ,000 – continued to grow –South was backed by USSR and Communist China –Television war – as it progresses and more and more American soldiers die support for the war in the US dwindles (becomes less) –1969 a new President – Nixon- promises to remove the troops from Vietnam Last US combat troops leave 1973 – 1975 South is overrun by North Vietnamese army Last US combat troops leave 1973 – 1975 South is overrun by North Vietnamese army –Many South Vietnamese flee the country fearing reprisals – Boat people  Thousands come to Canada

Although some Canadian companies sold war goods to the US, Canada remained out of the war Although some Canadian companies sold war goods to the US, Canada remained out of the war Most Canadians did not agree with the slogan “Better Dead than Red” Most Canadians did not agree with the slogan “Better Dead than Red” Canadian PM Pearson Canadian PM Pearson openly states his disagreement with US policy in Vietnam on a visit to the in Vietnam on a visit to the US and is berated by the US president Johnson Pearson Johnson