1. Introduction and Overview

2.  When two countries oppose each other politically and economically, but do not actually participate in a full military conflict

3.  1917: A revolution in Russia brings the Communist Party to power. The Soviet Union is created. Communist ideology advocates government, industry and ownership by the people. In theory, it is a classless system.

4.  This is in conflict with western European and American beliefs in Capitalism and free enterprise.  Their conflict takes the form of propaganda and espionage (spying)  During WWII, Nazi Germany as a common enemy overrides ideology – for a time

5.  After WWII, USA and the USSR become the “superpowers” in a constant race to gain political and military advantage.  They compete, each wanting to prove that its model for society is better

6.  This competition takes the form of an arms race and a space race  Global stability is based on the concept of MAD – Mutual Assured Destruction – the knowledge that each side has the ability to destroy the other

8.  Eastern European countries become Soviet “satellite states”  Winston Churchill declares that an “iron curtain has descended on Europe”  The city of Berlin illustrates the situation. After WWII it is divided up, different zones controlled by different sides.

9.  American foreign policy has the goal of stopping the spread of Communism, anywhere in the world.

10.  Caught in the middle between two superpowers

11.  September 1945: Gouzenko affair shows Canada is a target for Soviet spies  A series of radar lines was built across Canada’s north, to watch for Soviet missiles.

12.  1949: NATO is formed (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)  1957 NORAD – North American Air Defence Command is established to provide joint defence for Canada and the US  The Soviet Union creates the Warsaw Pact, an alliance to counter NATO

13.  – Soviet supported North fought UN allied South. 17 countries, including Canada, involved themselves in a civil war, as a result of the cold war.

14.  The USSR places missiles on Communist Cuba. War between USA and USSR seems a very real possibility, with Canada in the middle.

17.  The Cold war lasted approximately from 1945 – 1991  Throughout this time, people lived with the fear of escalation into a nuclear war  Students prepared with drills, where they were taught to “duck and cover”duck and cover  Music and other entertainment of the time period reflected the political state of the world

18.  99 Red Balloons 99 Red Balloons