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Canada’s Role in the Cold War and NATO

Canada became deeply involved in the Cold War in 1945 after the Gouzenko Affair exposed a Soviet spy ring in the Canadian government. This led to fears of communism in Canada and debates around outlawing it, though the Prime Minister refused such tactics. In 1949, Canada was a founding member of NATO alongside the US and others, committing military forces to Europe to deter Soviet expansion under the agreement that an attack on one member was an attack on all. Canada's participation in NATO meant adapting its defense policies and sacrificing some autonomy.

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14 views9 pages

Canada’s Role in the Cold War and NATO

Canada became deeply involved in the Cold War in 1945 after the Gouzenko Affair exposed a Soviet spy ring in the Canadian government. This led to fears of communism in Canada and debates around outlawing it, though the Prime Minister refused such tactics. In 1949, Canada was a founding member of NATO alongside the US and others, committing military forces to Europe to deter Soviet expansion under the agreement that an attack on one member was an attack on all. Canada's participation in NATO meant adapting its defense policies and sacrificing some autonomy.

Uploaded by

api-240746852
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© All Rights Reserved
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Canada and the Cold War

Canada and the Cold War


Canada was placed
at the centre of the
Cold War in 1945
as a result of the
Gouzenko Affair,
which exposed a
Soviet spy ring
in the Canadian
government



Canada and the Cold War
A fear of communism was widespread throughout
Canada, and Conservatives within the country felt
that communism should be outlawed
Prime Minister Louis
St. Laurent refused,
noting that such tactics
were the trademarks of
dictatorships, not
democracies


Canada and NATO
In 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
(NATO) was created as a military alliance to
prevent Soviet
expansion

Members included
the USA, Canada,
Britain, France
and others
Canada and NATO (cont.)
NATO Agreement
Any attack on one NATO member was
considered to be an attack on all
Tactical nuclear
weapons were
deemed to be a
viable option
and could be
used if
conventional
weapons failed

Canada and NATO (cont.)
NATO Agreement
As a last resort, total nuclear war could and
would be waged on aggressor nations who
opposed NATO members
USSR created the Warsaw Pact in 1955, an
alliance of Eastern
European Communist
countries designed
to rival NATO

NATO vs. Warsaw Pact


Canada and NATO (cont.)
Canadas commitment to NATO
Had to keep Canadian troops based in Europe
Canadian ships and planes tracked Soviet
submarines
Canadian forces participated in regular military
exercises with NATO allies
Canada adapted its defence policies to those of
its allies
Canada and NATO (Cont.)








All this meant that, to some extent, Canadas
autonomy was sacrificed

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