How Did The Cold War Influence Canadian Autonomy

CANADA’S AUTONOMY FROM THE REACTIONS OF THE SUEZ CANAL CRISIS, KOREAN WAR, AND VIETNAM WAR

Brian Chae

CHC2D8 - C

June 15, 2018

After the Second World War, Canada contributed to conflicts preceding it, being impacted as it bred to a nation. The major factor that influenced Canadian autonomy as a peacekeeping nation grew through her involvement in the Suez Canal Crisis, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The conflict to the Suez Canal was a threat, that may have led to another World War, that Canada took part in to keep the peace. Korean War and the Vietnamese War was one of the two proxy wars that Canada participated in, establishing her independence from Britain and creating ties with other countries. Canada’s political independence

for the approach of the military alliances established the autonomy that is perceived now.

To begin, the Canadian government’s reaction to the Suez Canal Crisis contributed for further the nation’s independence. The Suez Crisis was one of the major conflicts that brewed between the United States and Great Britain after World War II. In 1956, the Egyptians attempted to nationalize the Suez Canal; however, Great Britain and France wanted to gain control. As a result, “France, Britain and Israel secretly plotted to attack, without informing the US, Canada and other NATO allies… On 31 October, Britain and France began bombing the Canal Zone”. The Soviet Union also wanted a part of the Middle East, supplying Egypt with arms, completing, developing this conflict even larger. There were three superpowers; The United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union involved, which may have resulted in another devastating war. With the UN, :Lester B. Pearson announced an idea to create the

world’s first, large-scale UN peacekeeping force to keep order”. This was crucial as this gave a push in Canadian autonomy since the Canadian Secretary of state had de-escalated the conflict at the Suez Canal. Canada’s lack of support for Britain, as many may have seen it, displayed too much of an autonomy, but it can be argued that it ultimately kept the peace. After receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, in one of the conferences at the United Nations, Pearson stated, “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to participate in that work as a representative of my country, Canada, whose people have, I think, shown their devotion to peace”. This was true because his strong involvement with the UN impacted the Canadian accords with her allies. Also, this led to her involvement in every peacekeeping mission after the Suez Canal Crisis.
Next, the Canadian contributions in the Korean War was a stepping stone for future policies in Canada. Foreign policies hold much significance as it represented Canadian relationships with other countries including members of NATO and NORAD, formed after the Cold War. It was the day before the end of the Korean War when Lester B. Pearson gave a speech saying, “The signing of the armistice...is only the beginning of a new and difficult one. This new chapter cannot be successfully completed unless the armistice terms are faithfully and scrupulously observed by all concerned”. He announces that peace is only a step into a new beginning, that it should lead to a solution; that the magnitude of all the efforts to enforce peace is for the tasks ahead. Such things as the speeches and the support done by Pearson for peace made a mark, contributing to the signing of the armistice and the truce of Korea. This advanced Canadian autonomy with evolved foreign policies. Also, Canada played a significant role in the war even after the Second World War which had a large impact with over a million deaths. 26,791 Canadian soldiers participated in the Korean War, resulting in 516 casualties, and 1,200 wounded. This improved the Canadian military relations with other countries, as they were a part of the UN forces. Many countries saw this as a Canadian initiative and saw the nation as a firm ally. In comparison to her reputation as a mere peacekeeping nation, Canada contributed more than previous conflicts. At the start of the Korean War, the Canadian military was only trained for defending Canada. However, “On August 7, 1950, as the Korean crisis deepened, the government authorized the recruitment of the Canadian Army Special Force (CASF)”. Although there were hundreds of casualties, the Korean War was beneficial in strengthening alliances in militaries as many operations and battles were executed by Canadians.
In addition, Canadian soldiers were of big assistance in the Vietnam War.

This led to better Canadian alliances with the United States, who led South Vietnam. The U.S. had a major role, in supporting South Vietnam, against North Vietnam, supported by the Communist U.S.S.R. Canada was not an official contributor to the Vietnam War, being a neutral country. Nevertheless, the country was involved in the U.S. military which consisted of 30 000 Canadian soldiers that crossed the northern border to be enlisted. Back in the times of war, “Despite the law made it illegal, many individual Canadians chose to sign up with the U.S. armed forces to fight in Vietnam”. 30 000 must have been a significant number of the Canadians willing to join the war even while representing a different country. A 69 year old veteran from the U.S. stated, “‘People think it was an American war, but it wasn't,’ said Heimes, a native of Detroit. There were 13 countries involved [helping the U.S.] and there were at least 40,000 Canadians in Vietnam”. This was a surprise to the people of the United States as the draft dodgers in the U.S. fled from conscription while Canadians left Canada to be enlisted. The relations with the United States was further built as the Canadian aid was critical to support the South. Yet, South Vietnam lost to the Communist North. Additionally, upon the return of the Canadian soldiers, “they received none of the same benefits as their fellow American soldiers. They fought for those

same rights in 1986, when they formed the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Association”. This was one of the associations created for the medical benefits for veterans. Therefore, Canada's independence grew as their relations with countries other than Britain such as the United States strengthened.
To conclude, Canada’s response to the events after the Second World War illustrated Canadian autonomy. These events include the Suez Canal Crisis, which led to Lester B. Pearson proposing the first large-scale peacekeeping mission; the Korean War, reestablishing militaristic alliances; and Canada’s support in the Vietnam War. The above mentioned laid the foundation for the creation of the peacekeeping country that played a significant role in shaping the world.

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