Pierre Trudeau and Foreign Policy Pierre Trudeau A

Pierre Trudeau, and Foreign Policy

Pierre Trudeau: A New Style Politician • Pierre Trudeau became PM in 1968. • In office 1968 -79 and 1980 -84 • Trudeau was different from previous Canadian politicians which made him appealing to many young Canadians. • He was relaxed and witty; drove a flashy sports car and was considered to be a ‘hip’ dresser. He became an international celebrity. • Crowds of admirers would swarm him at public appearances, and young people responded to him as though he were a rock star. • “Trudeaumania gripped the nation”

Pierre Trudeau: A New Style Politician • Trudeau had a clear vision of what he wanted Canada to be: a “just society” for all Canadians. • He believed that the government had the duty to protect the rights and freedoms of people, and to foster their economic and social well-being. • He also supported individual freedom and thought that the Pierre and Justin Trudeau at the World government should not interfere Economic Summit. 1980 with personal liberties.

Pierre Trudeau: A New Style Politician • In 1969 the Liberal Government, under Trudeau, passed Bill C-150 – the Omnibus Bill. This made major social changes for Canada: • The right for women to have access to contraception • The right to abortion (with certain limitations if the mother was in danger) • Legalized homosexuality between consenting adults • Trudeau was criticized for these policies but did not back down: “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation. ” Trudeau dances after his campaign bus broke down in 1968

Social Movement: A New Perspective: Immigration & Multiculturalism • In the 1960 s, Canadians were beginning to be more open minded towards people of other cultures and countries. • In 1971, an official policy of multiculturalism was introduced by Trudeau. The policy would: …support and encourage the various cultures and ethnic groups that give structure and vitality to our society. They will be encouraged to share their cultural expressions and values with other Canadians and so contribute to a richer life for us all. • Multicultural activities were organized across the country. Festivals were held for cultural communities to share their traditions, and programs were designed to make all residents feel at home in Canada, regardless of their origins.

Trudeau’s Foreign Policy • One of Trudeau’s main goals with foreign policy was to have it focused on Canada’s interests, and less on American approval. • In 1970, Canada officially recognized the Communist government of the People’s Republic of China. • This defied US policy, but made sense to Canada since China was a great power, a major purchaser of Canada wheat and goods, as well as a potentially significant trading partner.

Trudeau’s Foreign Policy • Trudeau did not wish to anger the US. He knew Canada had take the US into consideration with his policies. He explained his views in a now famous speech: Let me say that it should not be surprising if these policies in many instances either reflect or take into account the proximity of the United States. Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly or eventempered is the beast… one is affected by every twitch and grunt. ” -Speech to the National Press Club, Washington, 1969.

Trudeau’s Foreign Policy: Defence • Lester Pearson had viewed Canada and the US as “defence partners, ” Trudeau believed this needed to change. • Trudeau decided to take steps to scale back Canada’s participation in the nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union in the hope that this would ease Cold War tensions. • From 1970 -72, Canada’s NATO forces gave up their nuclear missiles in Europe • The Bomarc missile sites that Pearson accepted in 1963 were dismantled. A new jet fighter was armed with conventional warheads instead of nuclear warheads. • The national defence budget was cut by 20% and Canada’s NATO contingent was reduced to half of its former strength

Canadian-American Foreign Policy • In your groups, read the handout provided. When you are done, discuss the following: 1. How influenced in the past and present do you think Canada was/is by the United States in world relations? Has this changed overtime? 2. Is it possible for Canada’s foreign policy to be independent from the United States? Why or why not? 3. Regardless of your answer to the previous question, do you think Canada’s foreign policy should be independent of the United States? Why or why not? 4. From what you know, evaluate Trudeau’s Foreign policy. Where do you think it belongs on our timelines?

A Cold War Update • In the early 70 s, tension was decreasing between the US and the Soviet Union. • The two countries agreed to reduce the number of their nuclear weapons. • In 1972 at the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, the US and the S. U. signed the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and an interim agreement on strategic offensive arms, marking a break-through in relations between the two. • In 1979, however, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and sent medium range missiles to Eastern Europe. As a result, NATO announced that they would deploy more advanced missiles in Europe. • In protest against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, many Western nations, including Canada, boycotted the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow.