The Beginning of the Cold War Canada and the World After WW II

Thoughts on Becoming ‘Canadian’

During World War II Did you know that Canada has it’s own Soviet spy ring operating in Ontario? – In September 1945 it was exposed – Arrests were made in Feb 1946 – 8 were imprisoned for treason – They were Soviets searching for the secrets of the Canadian atomic project How does this make you feel knowing that the USSR was spying on Canada? Would you trust the USSR?

Them vs Us Soviet Union – And the Satellite States Communist Dictatorship United States – And the Allied countries Democratic Republic

What we did to each other We used spies We wanted to get secrets – International policy – Battle strategy – Technology

Getting the “Upper Hand” Superpower: The term used to refer to the USSR and the United States in the post World War II period when both were engaged in the building up of powerful weapons of mass destruction as deterrents against aggression. One country was always more ‘super’ than the other They fought to get the upper hand

Getting the “Upper Hand” Both superpowers tried to help their ‘desired’ political ideology gain ground in a developing country – Made them more powerful – Helped in ‘little wars’ – Fought proxy wars – Assisted in political revolutions

Getting the “Upper Hand”

Could also get superiority through weapons “He with the most guns wins” – Biological & Chemical weapons – Nuclear bombs – Long-range Bombers – Missiles – Atomic Submarines There was enough firepower to destroy the globe several times

Alliances

Canada aligned itself with the United States – Proximity – Political Ideology – NOT because of strategic location It was then Canada’s struggle to maintain sovereignty over its own policies while still maintaining its commitments to various international organizations It was then Canada’s struggle to maintain sovereignty over its own policies while still maintaining its commitments to various international organizations

Superpowers Both powers had enough power to send the globe into nuclear winter Would destroy humanity Would be VERY bad to start a direct hot war Instead competed for political influence in developing nations – Poor & politically instable – Easily influenced with money

Causes of the Cold War Communism Government controlled all industry and commerce No political opposition allowed Limited civilian freedoms Democracy Capitalist Private enterprise – Individuals investing in business for profit Freedom of speech Freedom of the press

Causes of the Cold War It was the original goal of the communist revolution to overthrow the Western World – Global communist revolution Communist countries became suspicious of the West – Did not want to lose their political strong hold

The Iron Curtain The USSR and communism had taken over Eastern Europe Made a physical barrier between East & West – Would make it harder for hot war attack In 1949 Mao finalized the communist revolution in China – The curtain extended over several continents now

The Red Scare The United States wanted to stop communism before it came home – Committee on Un-American Activities Chaired by Senator Joseph McCarthy Anyone suspected of being a communist sympathizer could be persecuted, fired from their job and blacklisted from other employment

The Red Scare The Conservative Party leader brought the red scare to Canada – 1949 – Accused Liberal government of harbouring communists in the civil service – Tried to sway voters towards the conservative vote They were willing to protect Canada

The Red Scare Prime Minister St. Laurent knew the threat of communism Refused to outlaw – Undemocratic – To outlaw one political ideology and another political option are the actions of dictatorship Exactly what Canada sought to protect abroad

The Red Scare Union leaders were under suspicion Sympathizers found themselves fired for no reason RCMP ‘special branch’ watched those who might be or become security risks – Artists – Peace Activists – Union Leaders – Intellectuals

The Red Scare Quebec took strongly to the fear – They were fighting to keep their distinct society on two fronts Premier Duplessis allowed businesses and private homes to be searched for evidence of communism The “Padlock Laws” would allow the government to censor organizations and newspapers

The Red Scare In 1951 a bridge collapsed in Trois Rivieres Quebec The bridge was poorly built Duplessis blamed communist sabotage

Assignment If Canadians are in the metaphorical bed with the elephant, how indeed does Canada not get crushed by the elephant? Does Canada ever make room in the bed or push the elephant out of the bed? How did Canada differ from the United States in their reaction to the communist threat?

How to Write a Paragraph A paragraph consists of at least 7-10 sentences There will be a topic sentence that gives the reader a guide through the writing – This is usually the first or second sentence in the paragraph The topic sentence gives your statement (ie. what you think) and one or two quick examples of evidence – What is your opinion? You will explain what you mean with examples and evidence – If you are doing the research you MUST cite your source!