Transcript The Consequenes of War for Canada and the World

The Consequenes of War
for Canada and the World
(Cold War - pg 181-191 in Text)
(Part of Unit 4 Chapter 12-15)
Peace and the Nuclear bomb
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Peace in 1945
However- from WWII we now had a weapon that
had potential to destroy human race
Robert Oppenheimer Director of Lab that built
atomic bomb said “developing atomic
weapons made achieving peace “ more
hopeful… because it intensifies the urgency
of our hopes --- in frank words, because we
are scared.”
(1 -Canada A Nation Unfolding p265)
Canadians after the war…
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Time of joy and relief
WWII vets returned to a prosperous Canada
Canadians were proud of war time
achievements:
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Canada had built 3rd largest navy, 4th largest
airforce.
Important partner with Britain & US, had shared in
major wartime projects. Canadians believed that their
nation could play a bigger role on the world stage.
The World after the war…
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North America enjoyed new prosperity
Europe was wasteland of ruined cities,
government disorder and damaged economies,
food was in short supply
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France weakened by German occupation
Britain sapped of economic strength by cost of war
Germany divided into 4 occupation zones by major
Allied powers- US, France, Britain and Soviet Union
Germany remains independent but important
decisions about its future made by occupying Allies
Nations of Europe under Soviet control have very
limited version of democracy, only members of
Communist party allowed to run for office.
Japan accepts defeat and US occupation
China still a major power but suffered from wartime
Japanese attacks and Civil war returns
Two New Superpowers Emerge!
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Soviet Union because of
large area, population
and wealth of natural
resources, and led world
in military might
SU army occupied
Central/Eastern Europe
Manchuria, N. Korea
US only nation to equal
Soviets in military
strength (remember :
Atomic Bomb!)
US had military bases
around the world +
wealthy so could provide
foreign aid
Establishment of UN
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“We the peoples of the United Nations,
determined to save succeeding
generations from the scourge of war,
which twice in our lifetime has brought
untold sorrow to mankind… do heareby
establish an international organization to
be known as the United Nations”
UN who and what…
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“Big Five” Soviet Union, US, Britain, France and
China laid out initial plans for UN
April 1945, delegates from 51 nations gather in
SanFrancisco to formally establish UN
Most important Goals:
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To keep world peace and prevent outbreak of new
wars
Help advance justice and law throughout the world
Defend human rights and help promote equality
among different individuals and groups around the
globe
To encourage friendly relations among nations
Where was Canada?
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“Middle Power”
Mackenzie King (Canadian PM) wants to
make sure we will not be forced into future
wars
UN charter changed so that any country
asked to contribute to UN missions had a
right to have a say in the operations.