Cold War Flashcards
What is the Cold War?
A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union (USSR) and the United States (USA) after World War II.
Not included in the list: Important events
Who was Igor Gouzenko?
Soviet spy and cipher clerk in Canada who defected with 109 documents on Soviet espionage on September 5, 1945.
Exposed Soviet efforts to steal nuclear secrets. Revealed widespread Soviet spying in the West.
What is Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)?
A military strategy during the Cold War where if one country launches nuclear weapons, both countries will be destroyed.
Purpose: To prevent either the USA or USSR from starting a nuclear war. Effect: Maintained peace by making sure both sides knew they would be totally destroyed.
What is NATO?
North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Allies: USA vs. Warsaw Pact (USSR) TBD more specific.
What is the Iron Curtain?
Churchill’s term for the division between Eastern (communist) and Western (democratic) Europe.
What was the idea of containment during the Cold War?
The ideology of stopping communism by standing up to the Soviets.
Who was Pierre Trudeau?
Canadian Prime Minister known for the ‘Just Society’ initiative and promoting multiculturalism.
KEY POINTS: 15th Prime Minister of Canada for 16 years. Patriated the Canadian Constitution in 1982. Creates Canadian policy of Multiculturalism.
What was the ‘Just Society’?
Trudeau’s vision for a fair and equitable Canada through distribution of wealth. He emphasised the importance of human rights, equality, and multiculturalism.
THE JUST SOCIETY IMPACT & Grade:1969 was a big year
What was the movement for Quebec’s independence from Canada known as?
Movement for Quebec’s independence from Canada.
Federal cabinet minister
Economic Groups (B-): Pierre against capitalism, increases taxes on corporations, soon dropped, makes unemployment insurance more fair for all. PetroCan _ controversial national energy program, f.govern gas and oil to 50%.
Indigenous Groups
Assimilate Indigenous peoples into Canadian culture through the white paper, sparks outrage and is revoked by the red paper. Kidnap Indigenous children, around 15,000.
Example: The white paper was a government policy aimed at assimilating Indigenous peoples into Canadian society.
Quebec Separation -Ellis
Movement for Quebec’s independence from Canada, peaking in the 1980 and 1995 referendums.
FLQ (Front de libération du Québec) Ellis
Militant group advocating for Quebec independence; responsible for the October Crisis.
View: Saw French-speaking Quebecois as victims.
War Measures Act -Ellis
War Measures Act - October Crisis (1970)
Purpose: To suspend civil liberties and deploy the military.
Constitution Act, 1982 - Thao
Patriated the Canadian Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes fundamental freedoms, mobility rights, legal rights, equality rights, official languages, minority language rights, Aboriginal rights, rights for Canadian citizens, and the Notwithstanding Clause.
Bill 101 -Ellis
Quebec’s law to protect the French language.
What: The Charter of the French Language (Bill 101).
Official Languages Act - Ellis
Made English and French the official languages of Canada, giving Equal
Key Points: Equality, Services, Communication, Promotion, Bilingualism.
October Crisis (1970) -Ellis
Kidnapping of government officials by FLQ; led to the invocation of the War Measures Act.
Background: Radical Quebec group FLQ wanted Quebec’s independence.
Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Thao
Part of the Constitution Act, 1982, ensuring fundamental rights and freedoms for Canadians.
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Ellis
Confrontation between the USA and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba; closest point to nuclear war.
FLQ activities
FLQ’s activities ceased in 1971; the group had only around 35 members.
Demonstrated the seriousness of separatist movements in Quebec. Highlighted the government’s willingness to use extreme measures.
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Part of the Constitution Act, 1982, ensuring fundamental rights and freedoms for Canadians.
None
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Confrontation between the USA and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba; closest point to nuclear war.
None
Divorce Laws
Illegal: Divorce was illegal in Canada until 1968.
Expectation: Once married, you were expected to stay married. Reason for Divorce: Only abuse was considered an acceptable reason for divorce. Consequence: Led to many unhappy marriages.