Chapter 6 History - Part III Flashcards
1
Q
Public Opinion on USSR
A
- Canadian public shocked that communist spy ring operated in Canada.
- They worried open war between USSR and US would result in rain of bombs and missiles on Canada in early decades of Cold War.
- Govt developed civil defence plans and cities prepared to protect populations, some having nuclear shelter in deep basements or subway tunnels.
2
Q
Duck and Cover
A
- If attack occurred, sirens sounded warning and people tried to find shelter. Schools ran drills to “duck and cover” and lie in ditches.
- Fear of nuclear WWIII imminent, but existence of nuclear weapons and threat of mass destruction prevented all-out war between superpowers.
3
Q
Canada as a Middle Power
A
- PM St. Laurent saw Canada as “power of the middle rank” and govt expanded Canada’s international role accordingly.
- He believed despite Canada’s close relationship with US and Britain, it could act independently of two nations.
- As middle power [nation not superpower but having international influence’, Canada represented interests of smaller nations.
- St. Laurent was enthusiastic about Canada’s participation in North Atlantic Treaty Organization and UN.
4
Q
Formation of NATO
A
- 1949 - Canada joined w/ US, Britain and Western European nations to form NATO, where attack on one NATO member was treated as attack on all.
- NATO members agreed if conventional weapons weren’t sufficient to use tactical weapons like short-range nuclear weapons (ex: artillery shells, bombs)
- Prepared to wage total nuclear war as last resort.
5
Q
Policies of NATO
A
- Much of NATO’s activity served American policy first as it was by far most powerful member of alliance. Canada’s close ties w/ US made maintaining independent policy difficult.
- When NATO admitted West Germany, USSR initiated Warsaw Pact, military alliance w/ Eastern European communist countries to counter it.
- Armies practiced for war and added arsenals of weapons.
6
Q
Canada’s Work in NATO
A
- Spies and counterspies probed weaknesses in enemies’ security, searching for secrets, carrying assassinations, promoting revolutions.
- Canada agreed to keep full army brigade and several air squadrons in Europe, mostly in West Germany when joining NATO.
- It supplied military bases overseas. Canadian ships tracked movements of Soviet submarines, Canadian forces participating regularly in military exercises w/ allies.
7
Q
Canada and US Join NORAD
A
- 1958 - PM Diefenbaker signed agreement w/ US committing Canada to North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD, originally North American Air Defence Command)
- Canada and US became part of joint continental air defence against threat from USSR.
8
Q
NORAD Fleets
A
- North American fighter forces, missile bases and radar controlled from station in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado. NORAD had 1,000 bombers at any time, some always in air with nuclear weapons.
- Canadian command post under joint control established deep inside tunnels at North Bay, Ontario.
9
Q
Long-Range Bombers in the Cold War
A
- Europe seemed like battle-ground during Cold War, but long-range bombers developed, making North America vulnerable.
- US built lines of radar stations across Canada between 1950 and 1957 - Pinetree Line, Mid-Canada Line and Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line
- Detected surprise Soviet attack over North Pole, giving US time to launch counterattack.
10
Q
Effect of Radar Stations
A
- Radar stations compromised Canadian sovereignty as US stationed military personnel in Canada, alarming some Canadians.
- Canadian MP’s and journalists had to fly to NY and gain security clearance from the US to visit DEW line.
- Most Canadians showed little interest in loss of independence which govt sold for added security.
- Superpowers developed ICBM’s with nuclear warheads, reaching North American cities from the USSR within 30 minutes, rendering radar stations less effective.
11
Q
The United Nations
A
- Oct 1945 - 51 countries established UN from collective security like LofN. Canada drafted charter, membership in UN open to all recognized nations.
- General Assembly and Security Council govern UN. Use of veto in Security Council prevented UN from decisive action.
12
Q
Goals of UN
A
- By 1955, veto used 78 times, 75 of which by USSR. UN implements actions when permanent members agree.
- UN pledged to abolish disease, famine and protect human rights, Canadian John Humphrey leading author of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Agencies like WHO and UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) accomplish them.
13
Q
The UN and Canada
A
- UN established International Monetary Fund to help countries w/ debt and currencies. Countries pursue own agenda within UN.
- Canada strong supporter of UN since creation and aided refugees and worked on development projects.
- Canadian peacekeeping involved in almost every UN operation since it started in 1956.
14
Q
General Assembly
A
- Each member nation has seat and right to vote. Assembly provides forum in which members debate issues.
- Condemns actions against aggressor nations through speeches and resolutions, using economic sanctions and deploying armed forces.
15
Q
Security Council
A
- 5 permanent members “Big Five”: Britain, France, US, Russia and China (represented by govt in Taiwan until 1971). 10 non-permanent members, each holding two-year term.
- Maintains peace and security and deploys peacekeeping missions. Decisions need vote of 9 members. Each of “Big Five” has power of veto.
