The Cold War Begins Ch 6 p 130

The Cold War Begins Ch. 6 (p. 130 -135)

The Cold War Begins ► USA and USSR (Soviet Union) allies during WWII § Very different countries, beliefs, political systems ► After WWII, USA and USSR become competing superpowers § Military strength far greater than other countries ► Military and political rivalry called the Cold War § 1945 -1989 § USA and USSR clearly enemies, but no direct war

The Cold War Begins

The Cold War Begins ► Soviet Union § Communist and Totalitarian § Government controlled economy and business § Opposition to government not allowed ► USA § Capitalist and Democratic § Businesses owned by individuals, run for profit § Freedom of speech and press ► Governments other and people don’t trust each

The Cold War Spreads ► USSR afraid of invasion through W. Europe, so took over E. European countries, made them communist (buffer zone) ► 1949: communists come to power in China § Chairman Mao Zedong ► US government afraid of communism spreading to States § Set up Committee on Un-American Activities ►Led by Senator Joseph Mc. Carthy ►Suspected communists persecuted, fired, blacklisted

The Cold War Spreads

The Cold War Spreads ► http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=AWe. Z 5 S KXvj 8

The Cold War in Canada ► 1945: Igor Gouzenko (worker in Soviet embassy in Ottawa) revealed a Soviet spy ring in the Canadian government ► Not as much paranoia as in the USA § Can. government refused to outlaw communism ► Distrust of communism in some areas § Labour union leaders often suspected; RCMP monitored suspected communists ► Quebec: Premier Duplessis anti-communist § Padlock Law: used to lock up buildings/ organizations suspected of being used by communists

The Cold War in Canada

Taking Sides ► Countries formed competing alliances ► North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) § 1949: Western countries (USA, Canada, UK, etc. ) § Canada joined because of Soviet spying, geographically between USSR and USA, Soviet nuclear tests, trade ► Warsaw Pact § 1955: Eastern countries (USSR, E. Germany, Poland, etc. ) ► Both promise to defend members if attacked, and retaliate (possibly using nuclear weapons) ► Divided by “Iron Curtain” (border between Eastern and Western European countries)

Taking Sides

Canada in NATO ► Some debate over whether Canada should join a military alliance in peacetime § PM King, then PM Louis St. Laurent in favour § Canada one of 12 founding members in 1949 ► Canada’s military contribution § Some troops stationed in Europe § Tracked Soviet submarines § Military exercises

Canada in NATO