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Defending North America

Defending North America. Ch. 6 (p. 135-136, 140-144). North American Defence. When the Cold War began, it seemed that Europe would be where the action was Iron Curtain, Soviet buffer zone New technology made North America vulnerable too Long-range bombers, long-range missiles

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Defending North America

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  1. Defending North America Ch. 6 (p. 135-136, 140-144)

  2. North American Defence • When the Cold War began, it seemed that Europe would be where the action was • Iron Curtain, Soviet buffer zone • New technology made North America vulnerable too • Long-range bombers, long-range missiles • Shortest path from USSR to USA is over North Pole and Canada (p. 133) • USA and Canada start to build up defences to prevent or warn against a possible nuclear attack

  3. Long-Range Bombers

  4. Long-Range Missiles

  5. North American Defence • USA constructs three lines of radar stations across Canada, Alaska, Arctic in 1950s, each getting further north (p. 134) • Pinetree Line, Mid-Canada Line, Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line • To detect a surprise Soviet attack, give USA time to intercept attack, launch counterattack • USA military personnel stationed in Canada • Reduced Canada’s independence? • Possible loss of independence worth greater security?

  6. DEW Line

  7. North American Defence • North American Air Defence (NORAD) – 1957 • Canadian-American organization to share responsibility for air defence of North America • Command station in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, USA • Designed to withstand a nuclear attack • Controls fighter jets, missile bases, radar • Canadian command post underground at North Bay, Ontario

  8. NORAD

  9. NORAD

  10. North American Defence • Civil Defence • Fearing a nuclear attack, some Canadian cities dug nuclear fallout shelters • Warning sirens, people go to shelters • School drills – “duck and cover” • In reality, shelters and “duck and cover” were practically useless in a nuclear attack, but good for public morale • Constant tension, fear, and anxiety

  11. North American Defence • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2kdpAGDu8s

  12. Cuban Missile Crisis • Communists, led by Fidel Castro, seize power in Cuba in 1959 • USA attempted to invade Cuba, overthrow communists, but failed • Cuba forms close relationship with USSR • Oct. 1962: USA discovers USSR installing nuclear missile launch sites in Cuba, huge threat to USA and Canada (p. 140) • USA imposes blockade on Cuba, ready for war • NORAD on high alert

  13. Cuban Missile Crisis

  14. Cuban Missile Crisis

  15. Cuban Missile Crisis • Canada’s Response • President Kennedy expected Canadian support • PM Diefenbaker wanted United Nations to investigate in Cuba, did not believe USA • Delayed placing Canadian NORAD forces on alert • Did not allow US military planes to land in Canada • PM Diefenbaker believed that he was protecting Canadian independence, but 80% of Canadians disapprove of his actions • Hurt Canadian-American relations

  16. Cuban Missile Crisis • USSR refuses to remove the missiles, readies for war • Soviet ships heading towards blockaded Cuba, US waiting for them • USSR decides at last minute to turn ships around, remove missiles, US promises not to invade Cuba • Closest USA and USSR got to nuclear war, whole world fearing destruction for 13 days

  17. Cuban Missile Crisis

  18. The Avro Arrow • To help defend Canada from a Soviet attack, the Avro Arrow supersonic jet was developed in the 1950s • Most advanced fighter jet in the world • Development costs skyrocketed • From $2 million to $12.5 million per plane • Missiles become better defense than jets • PM Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro Arrow project on 1959

  19. The Avro Arrow

  20. The Avro Arrow • Popular Belief • US military jealous of advanced Arrow, convince PM Diefenbaker to cancel project • Historians • Arrow was way too costly, Canada could not afford it, other countries didn’t want to buy it

  21. The Nuclear Issue in Canada • After Arrow cancelled, Canada considers buying Bomarc missiles from the US • Would be located at Canadian military bases • Defence shield, intercept Soviet missiles • Meant to carry nuclear warheads, were of little use without them • Should Canada have nuclear weapons? • USA thought so: help protect Canada and USA, Canada’s obligation as part of NORAD and NATO • Many Canadians disagreed: made Canada a target, contributed to possible nuclear war

  22. Bomarc Missiles

  23. The Nuclear Issue in Canada • Conservative Party divided over Bomarc missiles • Liberal Party leader Lester Pearson initially against missiles, then changes mind • 1963 Election: Liberals win minority gov. • Lester Pearson becomes Prime Minister • Country not fully sure about Pearson & Liberals, but believe poor US-Canada relationship because of Diefenbaker bad for Canada • Pearson accepts nuclear Bomarc missiles • Trudeau is elected PM in 1968, phases out the Bomarc missiles by 1971

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