COLD WAR HOT SPOTS - Canadian History



COLD WAR HOT SPOTS

Read through the following to assess Canada’s developing role as a middle power.

Korean War, 1950-1953:

• In 1950 Communist North Korea supported by Communist China attacked South Korea in an attempt to unite the country.

• Backed by the United Nations, the United States organized an international force against this Communist aggression.

• Of all of the members of the United Nations, only sixteen (16) aided in the war effort.

• Canada ranked third (3rd) in total aid to South Korea.

• Nearly 22,000 Canadians saw action before the armistice of 1953.

• Over 1,200 Canadians were wounded, 309 were killed and 32 became prisoners of war.

• Canadians remained in South Korea until 1955 to help to maintain the uneasy truce/cease-fire. Thus, setting the stage for Canada as a peacekeeping nation.

• This war marked a turning point in Canadian foreign policy. Whereas in the past Canada was closely allied to Britain, the United States replaced them as Canada’s chief defensive partner.

• From now on, Canada took a moderate position in terms of U.S. foreign policy, not wishing to be as aggressive as they were even though they were close allies.

The Suez Crisis, 1956:

• Following the UN approval of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine, with the partition of the British Mandate of Palestine, five Arab armies – Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon & Iraq, attacked the nascent state of Israel during the Israeli War of Independence in 1948. Israel was victorious in the war and the new armistice borders remained until 1967. Israel was established to create a safe-haven and a home for the Jewish people in their historic homeland. Many Holocaust survivors and Jews fleeing persecution in Arab countries immigrated to Israel. Tensions swelled between Arabs and Jews.

• The Suez Canal was a region in Egypt that linked the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea. Due to its geographic position it had long been seen as a vital economic and military key. It was also a major supply route for oil to Europe. The area had been historically controlled by Britain and France.

• The new Egyptian President, Gamal Abdel Nasser, was an anti-colonial Arab nationalist. Besides expelling thousands of non-Egyptian nationals, and vowing to destroy the newly created state of Israel, he attempted to seize control of the Suez Canal and nationalize it. Besides the sense of pride it would give the Egyptians, it was seen as a much needed revenue source for the poor state.

• After making a secret agreement and an alliance with Israel, Britain and France attacked on October 29, 1956.

• The Soviet Union sought to spread its influence, especially amongst the independence-minded colonies of the European Empires. They issued an ultimatum to Britain and France to withdraw or face a nuclear attack.

• Not wishing to engage the Soviets over this issue, the U.S. reprimanded the British and French and called for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal.

• With tensions set to boil, Canada’s Secretary of State for External Affairs, Lester B. Pearson proposed a unique solution; he persuaded the U.N. to organize and deploy the first ever “peacekeeping” force to keep the combatants apart and pursue a peaceful solution to the issue.

• The plan worked and Pearson received the Noble Prize for peace.

 

Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962:

• The Cuban Missile Crisis began on October 22, 1962. US President John F. Kennedy had learned that the Soviets were building missile sites in Cuba that could launch a nuclear attack on the United States.

• Kennedy demanded that Nikita Krushchev, the Soviet leader, turn back the ships that were on their way to deliver missiles to Cuba.

• The US navy formed a blockade around Cuba, and Kennedy threatened to take military action if Krushchev did not comply. For five days Krushchev refused to call back the ships. The world stood on the brink of nuclear war.

• Kennedy requested that Canada put its arm forces on military alert. Diefenbaker was outraged that Kennedy hand not consulted him beforehand.

• Diefenbaker was afraid that a Canadian alert would heighten tensions with the Soviet Union and he also wanted to demonstrate Canadian independence from US foreign policy.

• Although the Canadian forces were quietly on alert at the beginning of the crisis, formal authorization for the alert did not come until two days later. By delaying authorization, Diefenbaker believed he had taken a stand for Canadian independence.

• The crisis ended when Krushchev finally agreed to call back the ships.

• The Cuban Missile Crisis changed the opinion of many Canadians who had previously been against nuclear weapons in Canada.

SHOW YOUR UNDERSTANDING: Answer the following questions.

1. Do you think the United Nations was right to take action after North Korea invaded South Korea?

2. In your opinion, which Cold War hot spot – Korea or the Suez Canal – posed the greatest threat to world peace? Give reasons for your response.

3. In a survey, Canadians identified peacekeeping (along with hockey and public health care) as one of the most important symbols of Canada. Does Canada’s’ role as a peacekeeper today justify its use as a symbol for Canada? Write a paragraph to justify your response.

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