Date post: | 23-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | kathryn-baldwin |
View: | 216 times |
Download: | 2 times |
The Cold War, 1948
Post-War Tensions
The Cold War Begins
During World War II, the US and the Soviet Union had been allies
However, they had little in common except for their opposition to Nazi Germany
Once the war was over, tensions between the two countries surfaced
At the heart of the conflict were differences in their political and economic systems
Reasons for Distrust
America Soviet Union
Free elections No elections or fixed/corrupt
Democratic Dictatorship
Capitalist Communist
‘Survival of the fittest’ Everybody helps everybody
Richest world power Poor economic base
Personal freedom Society controlled by the NKVD (secret police)
Freedom of the media Total censorship
Capitalism vs. Communism 2 superpowers had emerged from WWII:
the United States & the Soviet Union Both wanted to assert their dominance
and superiority over the other Distrust on both sides!
The Soviet’s feared Western countries would try and invade them
The US/Canada feared the Soviets would try and overthrow their societies with communism
The Iron Curtain
The boundary between Western & Eastern Europe is often called the Iron Curtain
The Western Bloc was under Soviet influence (communism)
The former allies (US, Canada, France & Britain) were concerned the Soviets planned to spread their influence over Eastern Europe
The Cold War, cont’d
No war was actually ever declared! The cold war was a war of words,
propaganda (print , radio and TV) where all those involved created “spy” notions and invasions fear to citizens
Hostilities between the 2 groups were expressed in arguments, threats and actions intended to frustrate one another
Think of it as a war of words!
From World War II to Cold War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpYCplyBknI
Soviet Spies in Canada
1945: Soviet spies were found in Canada (and other Western capitals)
Igor Gouzenko: young Russian announced to Canadian RCMP he had proof of a widespread Soviet spy ring
Documents proved spies in various government departments and in the Canadian-British atomic bomb project!! Intentions of the Soviet’s seemed even
more suspicious!
Gouzenko
Following this reveal, Gouzenko feared for his (and his family’s life)
Initially, Gouzenko would walk around with a hood to try and hide his identity from the KGB (Soviet Secret Service)
The RCMP provided them with new identities and moved them to secret camp (under constant police surveillance)
To many Canadians, Gouzenko was a brave figure who alerted the Western world to the threat of Soviet Communism
Preparation for War …
Following discovery of Soviet spies, many wondered what would happen in the event of another war!
Many believed they could survive another war, if they properly prepared for it (and had advance warning)
Defense #1: Civil Defense Plan Federal
government created civil defense plans (emergency plans)
Cities made plans for alarm sirens and mass evacuations
Defense #2: Duck and Cover Schools practiced
having students duck under their desks
Had drills for students to run immediately home for cover
Defense #3: Bomb Shelters With the threat of radio
active fall out, bomb shelters became the new fad
Ideal shelter needed supply of water & fresh air (outside sources would be contaminated)
Many Canadians built these in their basements
Stocked up on canned goods and bottled water
Defense #4: The Diefenbunker Where: Ottawa What: 4 storey,
300 room, 100,000 square foot underground bunker
Why: meant to house 535 government officials in nuclear war
Inside the Diefenbunker
The Vault
Top: CBC Emergency Broadcast Studio, Right: the Prime Minister suite