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The use of the Atomic Bomb
The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan to end World War 2. The first was a uranium gun-type bomb called Little Boy that was dropped on Hiroshima. The second was a plutonium imposion-type bomb called Fat Man that was dropped on Nagasaki three days later. Canada supplied the United States with uranium to help build the atomic bombs. -
Gouzenko Affair
Igor Gouzenko was a cipher clerk for the Soviet Embassy to Canada. He exposed the Soviet Unions efforts to steal nuclear secrets, and the technique of plannting sleeper agents. Gouzenko was set in Ottawa where people claim the beginning of the Cold War had officially started. -
Formation of the United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization to promote international co-operation. The UN was established after the Second World War in order to prevent another global conflict. Canada had been part of the UN since the beginning because of their part in the Second World War. Canada takes part in several peacekeeping missons. -
Formation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance where all participating members agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by an external party. Canada is an original member of NATO. -
Korean War
A three year war during the Cold War between North Korea, supported by China and the Societ Union, and South Korea, supported by the United Nations, United States and United Kingdom. Canada participated on the side of the United Nations and stayed in Korea for three years after the war as military observers. -
Formation of the Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance formed during the Cold War. The alliance was made up of eight communist states of Central and Eastern Europe that all agreed to a collective defense treaty. Canada was a member of NATO, who opposed the Warsaw Pact. -
Vietnam War
A Cold War-era proxy that was fought between North Vietnam, who was supported by the Soviet Union and other communists, and the government of South Vietnam, who was supported by the United States and other anti-communists. Canada supported South Vietnam and was one of the countries to consitute the International Control Commisson. -
Suez Crisis
The invasion of Egypt by Isreal to regain Western control and to remove the Egyption President from power. Twice Canada refused to help the British with peacetime military aid because of their little connection to the Suez Canal. -
The Formation of NORAD
NORAD (North American Air Defence) was formed to improve North America's defence during the Cold War. Canada joined frorces with the Americans knowing that nuclear missiles in the Soviet Union were being produced and that an attack from the Arctic was possible. -
The Cancellation of the Avro Arrow
The Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow was a delta-winged interceptor aircraft designed and built by Avro Canada. The government had terminated the aircrafts because of conncerning threats to North America in the future. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A thirteen-day cofrontation between the Soviet Untion and the United States over Soviet balistic missiles that were deployed in Cuba. Canada was hesitant to the United States plan which caused tension between current Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and President John F. Kennedy. -
SALT Treaty
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) treaty was a series of talks between the United States and the Soviet Union regarding armament control. Both countries agreed to limit the number of nuclear missiles at their disposal. -
Strategic Defense Initiative
The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was formed by the United States and intended to be a missile defense system that would protect them from an attack by ballistic strategic nuclear weapons. The initiative was considered unrealistic and unscientific. Canada contributed to the development of the technology. -
Breakup of the Soviet Union
The fall of the Soviet Union came from eleven Soviet republics and three Baltic republics declaring their seperation from the Union. They decided to make a Commonwealth of Independent States which ended with the Soveit Union breaking up into fifteen different countries. Canada was quick to establish relations with certain countries and understood the independance of the Ukraine, due to its large amount of Ukrainian immigrants. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Communist government of Germany (East Germany) built a concrete wall to prevent Western "fascists" from entering. The wall stood for over twenty years during the Cold War until East Germany announced citizens were allowed to cross freely and the wall was demolished.
