1950s: Canada’s Role in International Disputes

The Korean War• After WWII Korea was divided into 2 states:– North Korea (communist) under USSR– South Korea (democratic) under USA

• On June 25th, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea

• This added further pressure on Canada to build up its armaments.

• Canada took part in a United Nations force deployed to the area.

• The UN voted to protect SK & the USSR could not veto due to its boycott of the UN at the time because China (a communist nation) had not been given a seat.

• An armistice was signed in 1953 – Canada had 21 940 troops serve & 312 were killed

The Suez Crisis• The Suez Canal is a vital waterway linking the

Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea

• Built by France in 1859-69 – operated by both France and Britain

• 1956 – The President of Egypt took over parts of the Canal which upset Britain and France

• They attacked the Canal Zone and demanded that Egypt withdraw

• At the UN, Canadian Minister of External Affairs, Lester B. Pearson proposed deployment of an international peacekeeping force to stabilize the situation while Britain and France withdrew their forces

• This was the first time that “peacekeepers” were used by the United Nations

• Pearson emerged from the Suez Crisis as a hero, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in resolving the conflict

Lester B. Pearson is given the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the Suez Crisis

Your Favourite!• Read “International Conflict and War During

the 1950s” on pages 189-191• Answer questions 1-6 on page 191