Social Studies 10 Lessons 📖

By: Gen L

In partnership with Hyperion University, 2023

Lesson 4: Origin of Peacekeeping (1953-1957)

4a: PM St. Laurent (53-57)

North American Defence

  • As new technologies, like new long range bombers, grew prevalent, conflict would take to the skies.
  • Canada, the only nation between the two, became part of America's frontline defenses.

North American Defence

  • 1950-57: US builds 3 lines of radar stations across Canada.
    • Pine Tree Line (above the border)
    • Mid-Canada Line (~1/2 way through Canada)
    • Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line - (Arctic)
    • US Military Personnel were stationed in Canada.
    • Canadians Accepted the loss of soverignty.

NORAD & The ICBM

  • Eventually, the development of the famed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) made the DEW Line ineffective.
  • 1957: Canada & US form NORAD (North American Air Defense)
  • NORAD placed radar (rep. w/ satellite), fighter, bomber & missile resources of Can & US under a single command.

The Soviet Version of NATO

  • 9 May, 1955: A re-armed West Germany is admitted to NATO
  • 14 May: Soviets respond with a military alliance of Eastern European communist nations: The Warsaw Pact.

4b: Suez and UN Peacekeepers

'56 Suez Crisis

  • Egypt was lead by a nationalist: Gamal Nasser.
  • US promised a loan for a large dam project, withdrew after Nasser purchased arms from the USSR.
  • This upset the Br. & Fr. owners of the Canal.
  • Br, Fr. & Israel developed a plan for Israel to attack Egypt.
  • After Israel beat Egypt back to the canal, the Br. & Fr. landed paratroopers, securing the canal.

Suez Crisis: Cold War Warms

  • There was one problem: Br. moved too fast, and the rest of the world realised they were all working together.
  • USSR supported Egypt, threatening to drop atomic bombs on London & Paris.
  • US promised to respond in kind.
  • The US president was furious; he wasn't consulted by Br. or Fr.
  • This can't get worse, right?

Suez Crisis: It Gets Worse

  • The US president insisted they withdraw; Br. & Fr. refuse.
  • Nasser sunk ships loaded with concrete in the canal.
  • Br. & Fr. were in an awkward position.
  • Many Canadians wanted to support Br, but PM St. Laurent refused to support them.

The UN Peacekeepers Intervine

  • Canada's External Affairs Minister (and future PM), Lester Pearson proposes something different: A UN Peacekeeping Force.
  • The force helped all sides save face.
  • Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending the crisis.

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