NATO and Warsaw Pact PAGES 133 135 The

NATO and Warsaw Pact PAGES 133 - 135

The United States (US) took the lead in founding a new alliance aimed at protecting Western countries from the threat of invasion by the Soviet Union Ø 1949 US, Canada, Great Britain, and other western countries joined together in an alliances called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

NATO Ø Created because of the threat of invasion by the Soviet Union. Ø Any attack on a NATO member was considered to be an attack on all. Ø It was decided that if conventional weapons were not sufficient, tactical nuclear weapons would be used. Ø Included A-bombs and artillery shells; they were prepared to wage total nuclear war.

Alliances Ø The Americans surrounded the Soviet Union with their own alliances in an attempt to contain the Soviet sphere of influence. i. e. prevent them from expanding. Ø NATO, NORAD Ø Soviet States created an alliance to promote and protect themselves, which committed them to support communism and to resist the American sphere of influence during the Cold War. Ø Warsaw Pact

Members of NATO r Belgium Germany (1955) Luxembourg Spain (1982) Canada Greece (1952) Netherlands Turkey (1952) Czech Republic (1999) Hungary (1999) Norway United Kingdom Denmark Iceland Poland (1999) United States France Italy Portugal ( ) Indicates year country joined NATO All members without a year indicated are founding members (1949)

Canada’s Commitment to NATO Ø PM King supported the idea of joining a military alliance at a time of peace. Ø With joining NATO, Canada made the commitment to keep a full army brigade, and several air squadrons in Europe. Ø Began to build and supply military bases overseas. Ø Canadian ships and aircrafts tracked the movement of Soviet subs. Ø Canadian forces participated in regular military exercise with allied forces.

The Warsaw Pact

Ø 1955 When West Germany entered NATO, the USSR felt threatened and established the Warsaw Pact Ø An alliance consisting of the Eastern European countries Ø To protect the countries involved, and the USSR from attack. ØEast Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and the USSR is involved in the Warsaw Pact

NATO and Warsaw Pact

NATO and the Warsaw Pact

Ø With NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the Northern Hemisphere had been effectively divided into two powerful groups. Ø Armies were constantly practicing for war, and weapons were continually being added to countries arsenals. Ø 1956 - Soviet troops crushed a revolution in Hungary.

Ø Espionage became common around the world. Ø Spies looked for weaknesses in the enemy’s security and defense Ø Looked for secrets Ø Carried out assassinations promoting revolutions and counter revolutions.

Berlin, Germany Ø At the end of WWII, the city of Berlin was divided between its occupying forces USSR, US, Britain, France Ø 1961 – communist controlled East Germany, built a wall around West Berlin to keep East Berliners in and West Berlin out. Ø The Berlin Wall became a powerful symbol of the Cold War and the tension that divided East from West

North American Defense Issues PAGE 135 - 136

Ø Europe was thought to be the ‘theatre’ for another war Ø However, long range bombers were developed to carry warheads to distant targets. Ø North America was vulnerable to attack.

Ø the United States built three lines of defense across North America (including Canada). Ø These lines of defense were all radar lines. Ø The Pinetree Line, The Mid-Canada Line, and the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line. Ø Constructed Ø Stations between 1950 -1957. designed to provide warning against any surprise attacks over the North Pole.

Ø First time US military personnel were stationed on Canadian soil. Ø Some felt as though the defense systems were a direct attack on Canadian sovereignty. Ø Canadian members of parliament and journalists had to fly to New York and gain security clearance from the US authorities before being able to visit the DEW Line. Ø Some believed the loss in independence was a necessary sacrifice in order to gain security from a possible Soviet attack.

Ø Soon the Superpowers were capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads attached to them. Ø The USSR could now launch a missile and have it hit a North American city within 30 minutes. Ø The radar stations would not be of any use to detect the missiles in time for anything to be done.

NORAD Ø 1957 Canada and the US created the North American Air Defence (NORAD) agreement Ø Included fighter squadrons, missile bases, and air defence radar all controlled from a central command station within Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado. Ø Had a force of 1000 bombers at its disposal. Ø Some were constantly in the air armed with Nuclear weapons. Ø There was a separate Canadian command post was established inside tunnels in North Bay, Ontario

Civil Defense: The Home Front in the Cold War Ø Canadians feared that open war would result in a rain of bombs and missiles on Canadian cities. Ø The gov’t developed civil defense plans, and cities prepared to protect their populations. Ø Some cities had nuclear shelters in deep basements or subways. Ø A warning siren would be sounded, and then people were to try and find shelter. Ø Schools ran drills to teach students to duck and cover.

Ironically it was probably the existence of the nuclear weapons and threat of mass destruction that prevented a nuclear war.

The United Nations PAGES 137 - 138

Planning for Peace Ø World leaders began making plans for an international agency that would prevent another global conflict. Ø April 1945 representatives from 51 countries drew up a Charter for the United Nations (UN). Ø Ø Canada was one of them. Ø Based on the idea of collective security Ø Everyone was ready to support it The General Assembly of the UN provided a forum in which member nations can debate issues of concern. Ø Each member is given a seat and the right to vote

Ø The UN was given three powers it could use against aggressor nations: 1. Condemn the aggressor through speeches and resolutions; 2. Use economic sanctions, urging members not to trade with the aggressor 3. Respond militarily by sending in an armed force. Ø Had only limited success.

Ø Until 1955 the veto had only been used 78 times. Ø 75 of the veto’s were used by the Soviet Union. Ø When the permanent members of the council all agree on something, the UN can have the potential to be a great power. Ø The founders of the UN had pledged also to abolish disease and famine, and to protect human rights Ø Agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF were created. Ø International Monetary Fund to stabilize the world economy by helping countries that face great debt and currency collapse.

UN: The Security Council Ø Responsible for maintaining peace and security. Ø The council has the “Big Five” powers as its permanent members. Britain, France, the US, Russia, and China (who was represented by Taiwan until 1971). Ø There are ten other members that hold two year terms. Ø Decisions made by the council need the consent of nine members, but each permanent member has the power to veto. Ø It is the power of veto that has limited the UN from taking decisive action in some cases.

Canada & the UN Ø Canada has always been a strong supporter of the UN Has been able to help refugees from war or natural disasters, and has worked on many different development projects in a number of countries. - building schools, dams, and roads. Ø By 1999 Canadian peacekeepers had been involved in every UN operation since the start in 1956. Ø