The Cold War and Post-War Diplomacy: 1950s

Superpowers USSR and US were rivals now because they were trying to compete with one anotherknown as the Cold War. Communism vs. Capitalism

West (US: free press and freedom of speech) Western countries were suspicious of communism=fear of spread The Soviet Union were suspicious that Western countries might try to invade Soviet territory through Europe Hostility increased between the Soviets and the Americans. This was not traditional warfare= no shots or battles Both sides built up huge stockpiles of sophisticated arms, including the atomic bomb and other nuclear weapons and also spied on one another.

The Cold War at Home 1945- a Russian citizen, Igor Gouzenko was working in the Soviet embassy in Ottawa. He went to a newspaper to prove that a Soviet spy ring was operating in the Canadian government. He then went to the RCMP. Still no one believed him. He finally got protection when the Soviet agents broke into his house. This brought Canada into the Cold War. RCMP Special Branch watched those who they suspected as communists. These included artists, peace activists, union leaders, and intellectuals who were against the government in any way. Gouzenko clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM94nEQFXEM

Duck and Cover Canadians worried about an open war between the Soviets and the United States which would affect Canada Cities prepared to protect their populations- nuclear shelters in deep basements or subway tunnels Schools ran drills to teach students to “duck and cover” or to lie in ditches. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2kdpAGDu8s

NATO and the Warsaw Pact 1949 Canada joined US, Great Britain, and other Western European nations in military alliance. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Nuclear weapons will be used as last resort 1955 Soviet Union establish the WARSAW PACT=military alliance with Eastern European countries

1956 Soviet troops stopped a revolution in Hungary. 1961 Communist-controlled East Germany built a wall around West Berlin to keep East Berliners in and West Berliners out Berlin Wall= Symbol of Cold War Symbol of divided world (east and west) Division between NATO and Warsaw Pact countries is known as the “Iron Curtain”

Canada’s Commitment to NATO Kept a full army brigade and several air squadrons (in West Germany) Built and supplied military bases overseas Canadian ships and aircraft tracked movement of Soviet submarines participated in military exercises Adapt its defence policy to those of its allies

NORAD and the North American Defence 1958 PM Diefenbaker signed an agreement with the US committing Canada to the North American Air Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) Fighter forces, missile bases, and air-defence radar were controlled from a command station deep within Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado NORAD had a force of 1000 bombers at its disposal at any one time Canadian command post under joint control was deep inside tunnel at North Bay, Ontario Canadian Independence?

  Fear of Nuclear War NORAD-responsible for three warning lines of radar stations across Canada: DEW, Mid-Canada, Pinetree These compromised Canadian sovereignty To visit DEW Line, Canadian MPs and journalists had to fly to NY and gain security clearance from U.S. authorities superpowers developed Intercontinental ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads These can be launched from USSR and reach North America in 30 minutes.

Avro Arrow:Supersonic Jets Canada had many aeronautical engineers in the early 1950s develop supersonic jets know as the Avro Arrow. These had state-of-the-art engines and faster than any other jet of its kind. The project was cancelled by the Diefenbaker government in 1959 due to the cost of making these jets. Existing planes were scrapped, and most of Avro’s designers and engineers moved to the US. Many Canadians felt they lost the opportunity to establish a world-class space and aeronautics industry in Canada. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlrfGx4ncgI

Planning for Peace October 1945 Delegates from 51 countries drew up a charter for the United Nations. collective security. UN powers include condemn aggressor through speeches and resolutions. Economic Sanctions Military response General Assembly forum for member nations to debate Each member is given a seat and the right to vote on issues Security Council Responsible for maintaining peace and security Five permanent members- “Big Five” Britain, France, US, USSR, and China

United Nations 10 non-permanent members 2-year term Decisions need consent of 9 members Each of “Big Five” has power to veto –reject actions with which they disagree

United Nations abolish disease and famine and protect human rights World Health Organization (WHO) UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Fund) International Monetary Fund Canada supports UN. Canada has helped refugees from war or natural disasters and worked on development projects in various countries. Canadian peacekeepers involved in every UN operation since 1956.