Social Studies 10 Lessons 📖

By: Gen L

In partnership with Hyperion University, 2023

Lesson 3: PM St. Laurent (1948-1953)

International Affairs: NATO

  • The UN was not always effective.
  • The USSR used their veto in the Security Council to block the west.
  • PM St. Laurent suggested a regional alliance in 1947.
  • April 1949: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established.

International Affairs

  • US involvement was needed to offset the USSR.
  • Canada was an original Signatory for the UN & NATO.
  • NATO helped Canada deal with the US in a Multilateral setting, avoiding US dominance of Bilateral dealings.

Increasing Threats: The Bomb & China

  • Aug 1949: The USSR tests its first Atomic Bomb
  • This starts an arms race between the Powers.
  • Oct 1949: Mao Zedong wins a long running civil war (since 1927)
  • Mao establishes the communist People's Republic of China
  • The world's most populous country becomes communist.

Korean War (1950-1953 / 1950-)

  • 25 June, 1950: North Korea (DPR Choseon) invades South Korea (Great Han Republic / Hanguk)
  • At the UN, the USSR was boycotting the Security Council
  • The Security Council agreed to defend S. Korea (Note: The USSR was absent that day. They were never absent since then.)
  • July, Canada placed 3 destroyers under UN Command

Korean War, cont.

  • Canada worked hard to moderate risky US Strategies.
  • The US ignored Canada & proceeded to invade N. Korea
  • Hostilities ended in 1953, with a cease fire and no territorial changes.
  • The war has NOT yet ended.
  • 26k+ Canadians served, 516 died.

After the Conflict

  • This was the 1st time that an International organization & Multi-national force successfully acted against aggression.
  • Canada's position strained Can-US relations.
  • US Sec. of State Acheson later described Canada as "the stern daughter of the voice of god."
  • External Affairs minister Pearson said the age of "easy and automatic relations" with the US had ended.

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