Cold War

Cold vs. Hot War ‘Hot wars’ = actual fighting ‘Hot wars’ = actual fighting ‘Cold wars’ = no fighting but a lot of tension and high risk of war. ‘Cold wars’ = no fighting but a lot of tension and high risk of war. The conflict was between the “West” vs. “East” The conflict was between the “West” vs. “East” West: USA, Britain, France, Canada (democratic countries). West: USA, Britain, France, Canada (democratic countries). East: Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland (communist countries). East: Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland (communist countries).

East vs. West Iron Curtain: term used to describe the division between Democratic & Communist countries in Europe ( ) – invisible line begins in Germany Berlin Wall: concrete wall constructed by E.Germany to divide them from W.Germany prevented people from leaving the East and entering the West prevented people from leaving the East and entering the West Guard towers built & armed with soldiers to shoot anyone trying to leave Guard towers built & armed with soldiers to shoot anyone trying to leave E.Germany claimed the Wall was built to protect them against “Fascist beliefs” because W.Germany had NOT fully denazified…lie E.Germany claimed the Wall was built to protect them against “Fascist beliefs” because W.Germany had NOT fully denazified…lie Talks to destroy the Wall began Oct.3, 1989, actually fell Nov.9, 1989 Talks to destroy the Wall began Oct.3, 1989, actually fell Nov.9, 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall led to the reunification of Germany under Democracy Fall of the Berlin Wall led to the reunification of Germany under Democracy

Berlin Blockade June 24, 1948 – May 12, 1949 June 24, 1948 – May 12, 1949 First international issue of Cold War – created tensions & risk of nuclear war escalated First international issue of Cold War – created tensions & risk of nuclear war escalated Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied control Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied control aim was to force the western powers to allow the Soviet zone to start supplying Berlin with food and fuel, thereby giving the Soviets practical control over the entire city aim was to force the western powers to allow the Soviet zone to start supplying Berlin with food and fuel, thereby giving the Soviets practical control over the entire city Response - Western Allies organized the Berlin Airlift to carry supplies to the people in West Berlin. Response - Western Allies organized the Berlin Airlift to carry supplies to the people in West Berlin. blockade was lifted in May 1949 and resulted in the creation of two separate German states - Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and German Democratic Republic (East Germany) blockade was lifted in May 1949 and resulted in the creation of two separate German states - Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and German Democratic Republic (East Germany)

Cold War Defences NATO In 1949, Canada and the United States joined with ten western European countries to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In 1949, Canada and the United States joined with ten western European countries to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Its purpose was to defend Europe and the North Atlantic from Soviet aggression. Its purpose was to defend Europe and the North Atlantic from Soviet aggression. NATO had an economic advantage for Canada as well, since it bound together all of Canada's trading partners. NATO had an economic advantage for Canada as well, since it bound together all of Canada's trading partners. In 1955, the Soviets formed their own alliance, the Warsaw Pact, with the Soviet satellite countries of Eastern Europe. In 1955, the Soviets formed their own alliance, the Warsaw Pact, with the Soviet satellite countries of Eastern Europe. In the event of attack by NATO countries, the Warsaw Pact members agreed to come to each other's defence. In the event of attack by NATO countries, the Warsaw Pact members agreed to come to each other's defence.

NORAD In 1957, Canada signed a treaty with the United Sates that created the North American Air Defence System (NORAD). In 1957, Canada signed a treaty with the United Sates that created the North American Air Defence System (NORAD). Aimed at protecting North American from Soviet attack - NORAD joined Canadians and American fighter, missile and radar units under a single command center. Aimed at protecting North American from Soviet attack - NORAD joined Canadians and American fighter, missile and radar units under a single command center. NORAD headquarters are located deep inside a mountain in Colorado. NORAD headquarters are located deep inside a mountain in Colorado.

DEW Lines Canada's geographical position between the United States and the Soviet Union makes it vital to North American's defence. Canada's geographical position between the United States and the Soviet Union makes it vital to North American's defence. In 1957, the United States and Canada built a line of long-range warning stations, known as Distant Early Warning (DEW) stations, to monitor airspace activity. In 1957, the United States and Canada built a line of long-range warning stations, known as Distant Early Warning (DEW) stations, to monitor airspace activity. If any station - there were fifty in total - detected missiles or aircraft of unknown origin, it sent a message to NORAD headquarters in Colorado. If any station - there were fifty in total - detected missiles or aircraft of unknown origin, it sent a message to NORAD headquarters in Colorado. Although both Canada and the United States were involved in the creation of DEW stations, Although both Canada and the United States were involved in the creation of DEW stations, the $250 million cost of building these radar stations was paid for solely by the United States. the $250 million cost of building these radar stations was paid for solely by the United States.

The Debate of Nuclear Warheads After the NORAD agreement, the United States moved 56 Bomarc B anti-aircraft missiles to Canadian NORAD sites. After the NORAD agreement, the United States moved 56 Bomarc B anti-aircraft missiles to Canadian NORAD sites. The missiles were equipped with nuclear warheads. The missiles were equipped with nuclear warheads. In 1960, when Canadians became aware that there were nuclear warheads in the country, there was an uproar; In 1960, when Canadians became aware that there were nuclear warheads in the country, there was an uproar; should Canada adopt nuclear weapons and was this a result of the United States' domination of Canadian defence policy? should Canada adopt nuclear weapons and was this a result of the United States' domination of Canadian defence policy? Both the Canadian and American governments had to agree to put the armed forces on any alert, however the NORAD forces were clearly under an American commander. Both the Canadian and American governments had to agree to put the armed forces on any alert, however the NORAD forces were clearly under an American commander.

The atmosphere became even more tense when federal Civil Defence authorities distributed pamphlets with plans for making underground shelters. The atmosphere became even more tense when federal Civil Defence authorities distributed pamphlets with plans for making underground shelters. These shelters were to protect people from nuclear fallout. These shelters were to protect people from nuclear fallout. While experts debated on whether these shelters would serve any purpose, about 2400 were built in Toronto alone, at a cost of about $4000 each. While experts debated on whether these shelters would serve any purpose, about 2400 were built in Toronto alone, at a cost of about $4000 each.

Anti-nuclear protesters were convinced that the arms build-up would not stop the Soviets from attacking the West. Anti-nuclear protesters were convinced that the arms build-up would not stop the Soviets from attacking the West. People understood that a nuclear war could mean complete and utter destruction. People understood that a nuclear war could mean complete and utter destruction. The controversy over nuclear weapons in Canada led John Diefenbaker, who had become prime minister in 1957, to refuse arming nuclear warheads for the Bomarc missiles. The controversy over nuclear weapons in Canada led John Diefenbaker, who had become prime minister in 1957, to refuse arming nuclear warheads for the Bomarc missiles. He felt that arming the Bomarcs with nuclear warheads would set back the hopes for nuclear disarmament in the world. He felt that arming the Bomarcs with nuclear warheads would set back the hopes for nuclear disarmament in the world. He preferred storing nuclear warheads south of the border until they were needed. His opponents argued that Bomarc missiles without nuclear warheads were useless. He preferred storing nuclear warheads south of the border until they were needed. His opponents argued that Bomarc missiles without nuclear warheads were useless.

Canada and the Cuban Missile Crisis The question became critical during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when the world came dangerously close to nuclear war. The question became critical during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when the world came dangerously close to nuclear war. Cuba was a communist country and the Soviet Union had installed missiles in Cuba. Cuba was a communist country and the Soviet Union had installed missiles in Cuba. From the Cuban launch sites, missiles could attack most major American and Canadian cities. From the Cuban launch sites, missiles could attack most major American and Canadian cities. The United States demanded the Soviet missiles be removed and blockaded the shipment of Soviet military equipment to Cuba. The United States demanded the Soviet missiles be removed and blockaded the shipment of Soviet military equipment to Cuba. The United States asked Canada to put all Canadian forces on alert as war could be on the horizon. The United States asked Canada to put all Canadian forces on alert as war could be on the horizon. Canada hesitated, causing deep rift between the American and Canadian governments. Canada hesitated, causing deep rift between the American and Canadian governments.

Prime Minister Diefenbaker accused the United States of pressuring Canada. He also accused Liberal leader Pearson of flip- flopping on the issue of nuclear arms. Pearson had opposed nuclear missiles in Canada, He also accused Liberal leader Pearson of flip- flopping on the issue of nuclear arms. Pearson had opposed nuclear missiles in Canada, After Pearson was elected as Prime Minister in 1963, the Bomarc missiles were armed with nuclear warheads. After Pearson was elected as Prime Minister in 1963, the Bomarc missiles were armed with nuclear warheads. The issue highlights the controversy in Canada over fears of nuclear attack on the one hand, and the desire for a strong anti-nuclear policy on the other. The issue highlights the controversy in Canada over fears of nuclear attack on the one hand, and the desire for a strong anti-nuclear policy on the other.