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How Did The Cold War Affect Canada

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Although Canada was not one of the two countries most known to be associated with the Cold War, the country played a big role in intelligence and the apprehension of spies. Research conducted suggests that through figures such as Igor Gouzenko, John Starnes, and Lester B. Pearson, as well as Canada’s response to events such as “witch hunts” and the related “Red Scare”, the Cold War had a positive impact on the Canadian identity. The Cold War was a conflict famously between The Soviet Union and the United States, lasting from the end of World War II until the 1990s. Being a “Cold War”, there was no physical violence - although it was the cause of shorter, violent wars during its duration. Rather, the Cold War was a battle of intelligence. …show more content…

This event was “The first major Soviet defection for the post-war era” (Whitaker, Reg and Hewitt, Steve, 15). Gouzenko’s reveal of the Soviet spies to the RCMP and Canadian Government made Canada feel as though they did indeed have a part in the Cold War. What is more, the ordeal also made the Cold War “real” for many Canadians. Up until then, the Cold War had really been between the United States and Russia, and while Canada is geographically in the middle of the two countries, they were not directly involved in the war. The discovery of spies not only in the United States but in Canada as well brought Canadians to the realization that the Cold War could greatly affect Canada. Correspondingly, it caused Canada to become more active in the war, which in turn would affect the Canadian Identity through the country’s …show more content…

Pearson’s role in the Canadian identity developed during the Cold War is further evidenced through how he saw certain people - specifically, in this case, Herbert Norman - a victim of the Red Scare. Herbert Norman worked for the Department of External Affairs. He returned to Canada in 1946 from his posting in Japan, only to be charged for having been involved with communism in the 1930s. Lester B. Pearson, the minister of the department, however, believed that Norman was no longer involved in communist or Soviet activities. With his belief, Pearson was able to keep Norman in his position in the department, where he went to Egypt as an ambassador. However, the American Senate once again made Norman’s accusations public, which is the reason why, many believe, Norman committed suicide on April 4,

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