Canada and the

Cold WarNATO, NORAD,

Avro Arrow and BOMARC Missile

TODAY… Why is Canada in this picture?

We will talk about these reasons!

What is NATO and NORAD? I will tell you!

Did Canada get involved in the Korean War? Maybe? Maybe not? We will find out!

Is The Avro Arrow a hip dance move? No its not.

The Bomarc Missile… Yup, it’s nuclear… Like we don’t have enough nuclear weapons…

Why Is Canada in the Cold War?

AnticommunistU.S. relationshipRussian spiesLocation

Canada is Anticommunist

Canada was firmly anti-communist during the 1920s and the Great Depression

During the Great Depression, the spread of communist ideas in Canada represented damnation to some Canadians and salvation to others.

In 1931, Bennett enforced Article 98 of the Criminal Code, which outlawed communism, and required the accused to prove his innocence. Many communists were convicted under the Code.

As Hitler began his march through Europe (late 30’s), the perceived threat of Communism at home took a back seat for a time.

Close Relationship with the U.S.A.

Canada developed a close relationship with the United States during WWII

Canada wanted a Western Alliance to fight against Soviet Communists

Canada also thought it was a good way to counter US influence – Canada has more of a say, and more of an important role in the Cold War without being asked

Russian Spies

The Soviets had set up a spy network inside Canada during WWII (The Gouzenko Affair)

Rumors that the Soviets had set agents to Canada during the depression to organize strikes and protests

Russian Spies

Location Most importantly,

Canada was literally in the middle of the Cold War (we were in-between the USA and the USSR)

Canada no longer lives in a bullet proof house anymore… if there is a nuclear attack in the US, there is a nuclear attack in Canada too!

How Did Canada Participate?N.A.T.O.

Born 24 months after the World War: NATO In 1949, Canada joined 11 other nations to

form an alliance against the Soviet Union (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO)

NATO has benefitted Canada (Canada has access to the most advanced NATO standard military equipment and has developed trading relationships and business opportunities with other NATO countries)

However, being part of NATO has involved Canada in several conflicts

For example, Canadians are currently fighting in Afghanistan as part of a NATO mission

Russia’s Response? Upon discovering that independent West

Germany joined NATO, The Soviet’s response was swift and radical…

In 1955, the Soviet Union formed its own alliance against NATO called the Warsaw Pact

The Warsaw Pact A collective defense treaty among

eight communist states of Central and Eastern Europe in existence during the Cold War.

Goal: control central and eastern Europe and maintain peace (with communism).

The History of NATO

Not True: Canada was Forced into the Cold War

CANADA WAS NOT DRAGGED BY THE AMERICANS INTO THE COLD WAR KICKING AND SCREAMING. WE WERE NOT THEIR PUPPETS.

WE CONVINCED THE AMERICANS THAT AN ALLIANCE WAS

NESSISARY. (If not for military, then for trade)

NORAD

NORth American Air Defense Headquarters for NORAD and the NORAD/United

States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) center are located at Peterson Air Force Base in El Paso County, Colorado.

In 1957, Canada signed a treaty that combined US and American Airspace

From this point onwards all Missiles, Aircraft and Radar Stations from both countries work co-operatively to defend all of North America under a one command

As part of NORAD, the United States set up the Distant Early Warning System – DEW - (Fifty radar stations in the Canadian Arctic to detect enemy attack)

Fun Fact!

NORAD helps children track Santa!

http://www.noradsanta.org/

Korean War

THE DOMINO THEORY – US political theory which states that Communism is like cancer, if not destroyed, it will spread. Must destroy communism everywhere it appears

Canada supports the Korean war because it was supported by the United Nations. They did not send very many soldiers because they didn’t want to get involved in issues outside of Western Europe.

Canada refuses to help the USA fight in Vietnam when a similar situation arises

The Avro Arrow The Canadian Government felt

threatened by the chance of Soviet bombers crossing over the North Pole

Therefore, the Government orders the construction of a new aircraft capable of destroying fleets of Russian planes

The result is the Avro Arrow, the most advanced aircraft of its day – extremely fast, heavily armed, long range, and technology that was years ahead any other aircraft in the world

The Avro Arrow The Arrow was a problem from the

beginning – too expensive and no foreign buyers

The Arrow was introduced to the public on the same day SPUTNIK 1 was launched . . The age of nuclear missiles had begun

Prime Minister John Diefenbaker thought the arrow would be useless and cancelled the project

All prototypes, models and drawing of the Arrow were destroyed and 14,000 people lost their jobs (most of them in Malton, On)

The Bomarc Missile Instead of the Arrow,

Diefenbaker purchased the BOMARC Missile

A nuclear tipped weapon designed to blow up in the air and destroy any missiles that are launched at us

However, Canadians did not want nuclear weapons in this country

The Bomarc Missile

Diefenbaker’s solution was to keep the warheads in the USA – making the missiles practically useless

Later - Prime Minister Lester Pearson arms the BOMARCs, making Canada a nuclear power

In 1972, the BOMARCs were dismantled

#MilitarizedMonday#MoreMoneyMoreProblems

#AndIfYouDontKnowNowYouKnow

During the Cold War, Canada participated by:- Joining NATO and taking part in several missions- Creating NORAD with the USA- Allowing the USA to set up the DEW- Fighting in the Korean War

Canada built the most advanced fighter plane in the world in 1957 – the Avro Arrow – but it was cancelled

Instead, Canada became a nuclear power through the purchase of BOMARC missiles – retired in ‘72