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.
16
Q
Canada and UN’s Role in Korea
A
- PM Louis St. Laurent sent thousands of Canadian troops and three naval destroyers to Korea.
- Canadian Minister of External Affairs Lester Pearson urged all sides to ceasefire. US considered using atomic bomb but didn’t.
- General MacArthur made plans to invade China, but didn’t, WW3 beginning if either happened.
17
Q
Aftermath of Korean War
A
- Global attention returned in 1960’s when American involvement in Vietnam escalated.
- Korean conflict called “Canada’s forgotten war” between WW2 and Vietnam War.
- +25,000 Canadian soldiers fought, +1,500 seriously wounded and 516 died.
- Republic of Korea and Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea yet to sign peace treaty, war not ended.
18
Q
Start of the Suez Canal Crisis
A
- Suez Canal links Mediterranean and Red Seas, providing shortest sea route from Europe to Indian Ocean
- Canal opened in 1869 and privately owned by British and French investors.
- Egypt’s president Gamal Abdel Nasser took over canal in 1956, threatening to ban ships travelling to and from Israel.
- Israel, Britain and France planned “Operation Musketeer” to regain control of canal.
19
Q
The UN Peacekeeping Forces
A
- Canada divided, Conservative Party and some believing duty to support Britain, but Liberal PM Louis St. Laurent denouncing British and French military intervention.
- Lester Pearson proposed in UN creation of multinational peacekeeping force to maintain ceasefires and oversee withdrawal of troops.
- UN agreed, UN Emergency Force (UNEF) formed and sent to Suez area to bring hostilities to end.
20
Q
Countries enter Suez Canal
A
- Ignoring UN Security Council resolution to cease hostilities, Israel, Britain and France landed troops in canal zone.
- USSR offered Egypt financial and military aid.
- US angry with allies for not consulting US govt before attacking, but threatened retaliation against Soviet involvement.
21
Q
UN’s Role as a Peacekeeping Force
A
- Force under command of Canadian general chosen from countries not directly involved in conflict
- UNEF remained stationed on Israel-Egypt border until 1967.
- Canada gained reputation as impartial and peace-loving country willing to send peacekeepers to troubled areas.
22
Q
Membership in International Organizations
A
- Canada built diplomacy through Commonwealth and la Francophonie.
- Commonwealth made of countries belonged to British Empire, La Francophonie organization of French-speaking states.
- Both organizations offering forum for discussing economic issues of poorer members.
23
Q
The Colombo Plan
A
- 1950 - Commonwealth countries established Colombo Plan to provide money and aid to poorer countries in organization.
- Canada contributed by inviting overseas students to study in Canada and sending Canadian experts overseas to give technical assistance.
- Most Canadian aid went to India and Pakistan.
24
Q
Aftermath of Peacekeeping Forces
A
- 1998 - UN celebrated 50 years of peacekeeping, during that time 49 peacekeeping operations
- 36 of which created by Security Council between 1988 and 1998.
25
Before the Korean War
- Prior to WWII Korea occupied by Japanese
- After WWII Korea divided into North and South Korea along the 38th parallel
- After war South aligned w/ US while North sided w/ Russia
- Both sides wanted to re-unify whole nation under own control
- The US wanted to whole country to be capitalist – & eventually democratic*
26
During the Korean War
- By 1950 Stalin gave North Korean army modern military equipment
- June 25, 1950 - North invaded South across 38th parallel w/ 150 Russian tanks, 40 fighters and 70 bombers
- South had 40 tanks and 12 fighters.
- North Korean military overran the South and occupied Seoul, seeming war over and Korea re-unified
27
US Fights Back in Korea
- UN called to assist SK, USSR boycotting UN as it refused to give communist China seat, therefore not exercising right to veto.
- At last moment US w/ UN support attacked, led by American General Douglas MacArthur.
- American forces in Japan deployed to push North Koreans back
- American bombing of North Korean supply lines weakened North
- International effort through U.N. of which Canada involved.
28
End of the Korean War
- Once UN/USA entered war little territory change from stalemate
- UN-forces pushed communist forces to Chinese border when China intervened, sending them back
- Peace negotiations lasted 2 years. Both sides re-established 38th parallel as boundary
- Demilitarized Zone created along 38th parallel
