How Did The Cold War Change Canada

In the 20th century it was apparent that huge changes occurred in the world. In Canada, there were many ups and downs that contributed to how the present was shaped. Both of the world wars were terrible, but fate had brought these battles to diminish the economically poor times. After the second World War, Canada’s identity was shaping into the one we see today. The war changed Canada in various aspects, such as how Canada was part of a cause to support other countries in need of help, how the economy was advancing, and Canada’s part in peacekeeping missions across the world. After the war, a multicultural society was developing, and values, attitudes and principles were being created that made Canada progress as a country. Canada gained a

The world was divided into two sides. There were countries that had communistic ideology, and another that believed in democratic ideas. These two sides created tension and were threats to world peace. It was difficult because these two ideas had very different viewpoints, which made it hard to make agreements or come up to a final decision that everyone was pleased with. Canada contributed armed forces for peacekeeping performances in many parts of the world, especially in areas divided between the communistic and democratic ideologies.1 This brought out the involvement Canada had during the times of the Cold War, and contributed to their growing self-identity. The Cold War sparked mistrust against Canada’s own people. There was fear, suspicion and concern that led people to believe traitors were living among them. Specifically, spies that would seek information and bring it to their own country’s government for their own benefit. This fear and mistrust is what separated the country, and without unity, a country is worth nothing. It won’t have a strong foundation to lead up to a strong core, and could fall apart easily. It would take a long time for Canada to break apart the prejudice that is destructive to humanity and to move forward, gaining a multicultural identity in the

Canada, being a prosperous nation was in the position to help other economically poor countries in their time of need. They put the idea into their minds that the more developed a country was, the odds of them turning to communism were less likely. Also, the stronger other nations were, the more Canadian economy would benefit because it would open markets for Canadian products to be sold.2 Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent had said in a speech to the Canadian Club in Toronto on March 27, 1950, “Canada has already contributed in a very large part to the economic recovery in Europe... Certainly, we want to ensure markets in England and in Europe, but the stronger the economies of these countries are, the more they will be able to oversee their own defense and the more our military security will grow.”3 Their standpoint on the matter is very legitimate because you need to help other countries until a certain extent. Everyone is connected, every country relies on another to bring them on the road of becoming more thriving. It will allow Canada to build trust between them and the other side which is important when facing international or national problems. There is more support to lead the nation to the place they need to be. An example of Canada being a good social citizen and helping other less developed counties around the world is “The Marshall