Significance of Canada's Role in the Korean War

799 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Background of Korean war

On June 25th, 1950, North Korean forces crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded the Republic of Korea (South Korea). This was a battle between democracy and communism, where the United Nations supported the South Democrats while the Soviet Union in cooperation with China supported the North Communists. Most Canadians knew nothing about Korea during the 1950s. Despite that, the Canadian army still sent an entire brigade group to military operations there. Besides the two world wars, the Korean War remains Canada’s third bloodiest oversea conflict as it left 516 Canadians killed and at least 1,200 injured. Canada made significant military contributions to the Korean War as was demonstrated by the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the defensive navy line protecting UN aircraft carriers, and the ceasefire of war through the 1st Commonwealth Division.

Initially, the war went very well for the North Korean communists, pushing the United Nations into the Southeast corner of South Korea known as the Pusan Perimeter {See Appendix B}. Most of South Korea was captured, including Seoul, the capital. In early spring of 1951, the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2PPCLI) arrived in Korea. At this point, UN forces were slowly retreating, and General MacArthur hoped that with the help of the 2PPCLI, they would be able to turn the war around. Regardless, the Patricias were not fully trained nor were they prepared for war. Lieutenant Colonel Jim Stone who was the Patricias’ commander at the time did not allow any of his men to go into battle until he believed they were truly ready. After two months, the Patricias entered the war and took part in a major UN counterattack (4...

... middle of paper ...

.... “The Commonwealth in Korea”. HistoryToday November 1998: 11. HistoryToday Archives. Web. 26 May 2014

Davidson, Dave. "Canadians in Korea." Canadians in Korea. KVA, n.d. Web. 24 May 2014.

Futrel Frank Robert. The United States Air Force in Korea. Washington: N.p, 1983. Air Force Historical Studies Office. Web. 15 Apr. 2014

Tang Angie. “Reflections of Canadian Political Moderation and Canadian-American Relations.” Beyond Canada’s Role in the Korean War (2013): N.v.. n.i(2013): 1-6. Musée De La Guerre. 11 Apr. 2014.

Thor Thorgrimsson and E.C. Russell, Canadian Naval Operations in Korean Waters, 1950-1955, Ottawa: Queen's Printer, 1965. National Defence and Canadian Forces. Web. 25 May 2014

. "Korean War." History.com 2009. N.p. . A&E Television Networks. Web. 25 May 2014.

. "The Korean War." Canadian Solidiers. Service Publications, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.

Show More
Related

  • Justification of the Canadian Participation in the Boer War

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    Canada’s Little War. James Lorimer & Company LTD. Toronto [7] Canadians and Conflicts. Edmonton Public School Board [8] Haas. Suzanne. History Television.

    Read More

  • Canada’s Military Contributions to World War I, World War II and Korean War

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every 11 hour, 11 day of the 11th month we express our gratitude to those Canadian soldiers who fought courageously in the wars of World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Lest We Forget is a famous phrase that everyone has heard or seen in the month of Remembrance Day. This phrase reminds us daily about the losses of loved ones and the possibilities of declaring another conflict that could hurt millions of people. Canada's war experiences have defined its nation. Due to Canada's numerous contributions to the World War I, World War II and the Korean War, Canada has earned a reputation as an independent strong fighting force, a supportive ally and eventually as a valuable peacekeeping nation.

    Read More

  • Canada and the Netherlands

    900 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ton, Pierre. Marching as to War: Canada's Turbulent Years, 1899-1953. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2001. Print.

    Read More

  • Canada's Involvement in the Second World War

    1430 Words  | 3 Pages

    participated in the war, by the end of the war, Canada was left with a very strong armed forces

    Read More

  • Containment Dbq Essay

    498 Words  | 1 Pages

    The United States vows to protect the democratic South Korea. American forces defend South Korea but are almost pushed on the peninsula . Douglas Mccarthur is in charge of the American forces. He stages an impressive counter attack that pushes the North Koreans all the way back to China. This is when China enters the warand pushes American forces back to the 38Th parallel. In 1953 , the war ended In a stalemate. (document C)

    Read More

  • The Battle of Vimy Ridge and Its effect on Canada

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    Canada’s eligibility to participate on the world stage and its move towards independence was proven after the accomplishments at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Foremost, Canada’s first opportunity to partake on the world stage came soon after the end of World War I, during the Paris Peace Conference. The accomplishments of the Canadian Army in the Battle of Vimy Ridge helped to earn Canada a spot in the Paris Peace Conference, after long arguments made on behalf of Canada by Prime Minister Robert Broden . The Prime Minister argued that Canada’s wartime record had earned Canada a seat separate from Britain. Canada was granted the seat despite the disapproval of the American President, Woodrow Wilson’s as they contributed greatly to the Allied forces especially in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The approval of Canada’s seat is important to both the significance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the eligibility to participate on the world stage because it was one of the first steps Canada took towards its independence from Great Britain. Additionally, Canada became more social with other countries separate from Britain after the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Canada involved itself more in trading after the battle and the war, and had a flourishing...

    Read More

  • Canada's Involvement in World War One

    1424 Words  | 3 Pages

    The events of July and early August 1914 are known as the sparks that lit the explosion of World War I. Uneasy tensions that had been boiling beneath the surface of Europe for many years soon erupted and with that several alliances that were formed over the past decades were invoked, so within weeks the major powers were at war; via their colonies, the conflict advanced rapidly. When war officially broke out in 1914, Britain joined in the defense of Belgium and in reaction to Germany's violation of the treaty in which the countries neutrality was to be respected by all other nations. Upon this Britain requested that all dominions of the British Empire, including Canada were to fight on its behalf. Canada’s involvement in the War changed history, deepening our independence, strengthening our right the self govern and opening a gap between the French and English-speaking populations. Canadian's were a great asset in WW1, and it marked the beginning of independent Canadian forces fighting under a Canadian-born commander. On August 5, 1914, the Governor General declared a war between Canada and Germany.

    Read More

  • The Battle of Fox Hill and Toktong Pass

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Korean War began when the North Koreans invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel on June 25, 1950. The North Korean forces fought their way to Pusan at the southern edge of the Korean peninsula. With the North Koreans controlling most of the peninsula, General Douglas MacArthur landed an amphibious assault at Inchon on September 15, 1950 and wrested control of South Korea from North Korean forces. After MacArthur’s forces marched to the northern border of Korea, China entered the war. After a major Chinese attack and a major American counter attack, the front of the war had a new stage, the Chosin Reservoir (Henretta, Edwards & Self 768).

    Read More

  • Norman Bethune's Influence On Canadian Relations

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today’s rapidly growing global society, foreign relations with other countries are imperative to a nation’s prosperity and world-wide harmony. Especially with China, the fastest growing country in the world, it is important for Canada to establish relations that can benefit both countries. The foundation of these Sino-Canadian relations was created by Norman Bethune’s involvement in the Second Sino-Japanese War. China was not always such a flourishing and prosperous society. In 1937, during this war, Japan invaded China with imperialist objectives.

    Read More

  • Batthe of Chipyon-Ni Korea

    1633 Words  | 4 Pages

    Amid the snow-covered hills in the tiny village of Chipyong-Ni, Korea, a battle ridden 23rd Regimental Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division made a decisive stand from February 13-15, 1951 that would lead to the first operational win against a much stronger and larger force. In what some considered being the Gettysburg of the Korean War, the Battle of Chipyong-Ni was a bitterly contested engagement between the X Corp, 23rd Regimental Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, under the command of COL. Paul Freeman the North Korean People’s Army and the Chinese Communist Forces’ (CCF). This analysis will demonstrate that COL Paul Freemans’ ability to properly use mission command ultimately led to the first operational defeat of the enemy since the Korean War had started.

    Read More

  • The American Influence in Canadian Popular Culture

    1937 Words  | 4 Pages

    Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.

    Read More

  • United States Involvement in the Korean War

    955 Words  | 2 Pages

    U.S. participation was centered on America’s foreign policies at the time. Although the War did not break out until June of 1950, several conflicts brewed over the attempt to take over the entire nation under one rule for several years after World War II. The majority of these conflicts took place at the 38th parallel where Korea was split. Decisions influenced by President Harry S. Truman and his doctrine, which was essentially the policy to contain the spread of communism, gave the United Nations an opportunity to prevent global domination through communism (“Teaching with Documents”). The fear of international communism from the powers of The Soviet Union and People’s Republic of China was the main reason that caused the United States to intervene.

    Read More

  • The Need for Continued Resilience of the American People

    2031 Words  | 5 Pages

    Brig General Jerome Hagen, USMC (ret). "War in the Pacific" Book II. Honolulu: Hawaii Pacific University, 2007. Book.

    Read More

  • Understanding Canada's Global Influence and Identity

    893 Words  | 2 Pages

    Canadians have a strong sense of identity, especially when comes to the idea of peacekeeping. Peacekeeping is the number one priority that about 83% Canadians feels strongly about. Canada, as a country itself, plays a big role in the United Nations when discussing peacekeeping. Peacekeeping in Canada arose in the 1940s and was not initially intended to be peacekeeping but to create international laws for the United Nations to keep combat at a minimum and to resolve any issues without combat or force. During the 1950s, Canadian’s militaries began as a small peacekeeping operation that would later turn into a larger operation in the future. Many of Canadian’s’ public opinion regarding peacekeeping has changed over the course of time. Many attitudes toward peacekeeping find the foreign policy to be irrelevant, whereas some of the public eye views the foreign policy to have a better understanding and support the long-term perspective of peacekeeping. International Trade is another foreign policy that Canadians play a constructive role when dealing with world affairs. The largest trading partner with Canada is the United States. Between In North America, Canada and the United states have partnered themselves for a Free Trade Agreement. This trade agreement is called NAFTA, North American Free Trade Agreement, which allows free trade for goods and services to pass across the borders of Canada, United States and the country of Mexico. What is so significant about the NAFTA is that it removes tariffs on imports. For example, if a product were to be produced in the United States, it would not be treated as “foreign” by the other nations. To Canada, the NAFTA is a significant factor when targeting their economy. The NAFTA allows Canadians to have access to a larger market for goods, lower prices and it creates a greater economic

    Read More

  • Canada Going To War Essay

    1151 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kowaluk, L., & Staples, S. (2008). Afghanistan and Canada: Is there an alternative to war? Montreal: Black Rose Books.

    Read More

More about Significance of Canada's Role in the Korean War

Open Document