-
The first use of the Atomic Bomb
During the Second World War, despite their allies being defeated, the Japanese would not surrender. This, along with other, mostly selfish motives led the United States to drop the first Atomic Bomb, Little Boy, on Hiroshima Japan. -
The Formation of the United Nations
The United Nations was formed after WWII as an improved League of Nations. Unlike the LN, the UN has an international peacekeeping force and can regularly interfere with disputes to stop them from escalating into all out war. -
The Formation of NATO
After WWII, Communism began to spread. Fearing that democracy would be overthrown, the Western European countries allied to stop the Soviet Union's spread. They became known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO -
End of Korean War
After WWII Korea has split ideals. North Korea is Communist while South Korea is Democratic. The United Nations and the Soviet Union become involved in their border dispute. Even today, Korea is split. -
The Formation of the Warsaw Pact
In response to NATO and it's inclusion of West Germany, the Eastern European countries started the Warsaw Pact. In 1962, Albania was expelled because they didn't agree with Khrushchev. In 1990, East Germany leaves and rejoins West Germany to become Germany again. In 1991, the Warsaw Pact ends. -
Gouzenko Affair
Igor Gouzenko defected after discovering he was being sent home, as he didn't enjoy Soviet life or politics. He was put into protective custody after the Soviet's attempted to capture him. He was responsible for the discovery of a spy ring in Canada. -
Suez Crisis
Gamal Abdel Nasser took control of the Suez Canal, which was a valued shipping route for the French and the British. Canadian Lester B. Pearson comes up with a plan to intervene, and the first international peacekeeping force of the United Nations is created. -
The Formation of NORAD
The North American Air Defense was created out of the fear that the Soviets would attack over the Arctic. NORAD constructed the DEW line, along with two other early warning bases. Canada was given Bomarc missiles to stop any Soviet missiles before they reached land, though much debate took place over whether or not to give the Bomarcs nuclear heads. -
The Cancellation of the Avro Arrow
Despite the project being very close to being, if not already, complete, Prime Minister Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro Arrow project. There are many theories as to why he cancelled the project that would advance air and computer technology, perhaps it was the expenses of the project, he was influenced by America, or he was simply offended by the alcoholism of the president of the company. The only thing for certain is that the project was cancelled, and innovation was set back many years. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
In response to the Americans putting missile silos in Turkey, the Soviet Union gave the Cubans missiles. When the Americans noticed they called Canada for help, and while the Canadians waited for confirmation, they did eventually agree. The two proceeded to send armed ships and planes to circle Cuba for twelve days until the Soviets agreed to dismantle any silos already on Cuba and take the missiles back. -
SALT Treaty
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Treaty was signed between the US and the Soviet Union after President Johnson discovered that the Soviet Union was creating Anti-Ballistic Missiles. While President Johnson wanted to start an arms race, the Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara advised against it, stating that it would spiral out of control. When President Nixon took over, negotiations started for both the SALT Treaties. -
The end of the Vietnam War
After WWII, Vietnam and Viet Cong were fought over by other countries. After twenty years of war, the two combine. -
The Strategic Defense Initiative
To create anti-ballistic defenses, President Reagan implemented the Strategic Defense Initiative. The SDI was set aside because of budget constraints and because people were afraid it violated the SALT Treaty. While it was still in place the SDI was nicknamed 'Star Wars' due both because of the recent release of the science fiction movie by the same name, and the creative and possibly unrealistic ideas that were planned. -
The fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin wall was created to keep citizens of East Germany from entering the West. Both sides came together and began chipping at the wall, and equipment was brought in. The wall was finally gone in 1992. Strangely, Berlin was nowhere near the wall, but it was similarly split despite being entirely in East Germany. -
The Breakup of the Soviet Union
With the growing popularity of democracy, less people turned to communism, and a coup occurred in August of 1991. Gorbachev was replaced by Boris Yeltsin, and meetings took place with the leaders of Belarus and Ukraine. The Soviet Union disbanded and became the Commonwealth of Independent States.
