Canada’s emergence toward a well developed middle power begun under the rule of Great Britain. Canada got its first taste of autonomy during the 1867 BNA Act in which was our first official constitution. The BNA Act defined the different branches of government. The Act still provides a basis for our current government.However, Britain still maintained a major influence in Canada’s foreign affairs. This event is part of the series of political, economical, and military international and constitutional events that developed Canada from a Britain dependent country to a strong hold middle power nation.
Preceding World War 2, there were several political and constitutional events that set the stage for Canada's independence. Commencing with the
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In 1945, an organization known as the United Nations was created. An international agency based on the idea of collective security and world peace. Canada was an actively involved member of the United Nations. Canada began showing its traits of a middle power as Canada began accepting draft dodgers that fled the U.S., offering them protecting. Canada’s Lester B. Pearson became the president of the United Nations, and soon made a proposal of an international peacekeeping force, which included Canada. As a result of the Cold War, in 1956 Israel (aided by Britain and France) and Egypt (aided by the USSR) were on the edge of starting a war over control over the Suez Canal. Canada stepped in as a middle power to ensure that no war began, and provided aid in keeping peace. As a result of the UN peacekeeping force, Pearson received a Nobel Peace Prize. Canada as a nation gained a reputation as a peacekeeping country.Furthermore, beginning in 1964 , Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean gained independence from Britain, Turkish and Greek communities could not coexist peacefully. Therefore, the UN Peacekeeping force was called upon to ensure peace and prevent violence. Canada, again, stepped up participating in its largest peacekeeping …show more content…
Beginning in Yugoslavia, where Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence. While the serbians wanted to remain part of Yugoslavia, the muslims minorities supported independence, and as a result were targeted. Furthermore, UN peacekeeping forces were sent in, including Canadian troops, however, the onslaught of 140,000 people could not be stopped. Soon after, Canadian troops tarnished their reputation internationally on a mission in Somalia. Canadian soldiers had purportedly tortured and assaulted a Somali teenager. The squadron was later disbanded and reputation disgraced.Years later, in 1994 the Rwandan president was shot down in his plane, the minority Tutsi groups were blamed by the majority Hutus. Immediately, soldiers, police officers, and militia, and citizens mainly of Hutu descent were involved in the slaughtering of Tutsis. Canadian Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire was sent in along with the UN Peacekeeping force, however despites Dallaire's pleas for intervention, the peacekeepers were forbidden from engaging. Moreover, there has been more positive outcomes as a result of Canada’s intervention such as in 2001, the UN asked upon Canada to enter Afghanistan to stop the terror. Canada provided an abundance of humanitarian aid and knowledge to Afghan citizens while fighting terrorist forces. Subsequently in present
“In 1957, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Canadian diplomat Lester B. Pearson for his pivotal role in the creation and deployment of the United Nations Emergency Force to the Sinai, bringing a relatively successful end to the Suez Crisis of 1956, and creating the concept of peacekeeping as it would be understood throughout the Cold War.” This instigated Canada’s dominant role in peacekeeping...
Canada’s eligibility to participate on the world stage and its move towards independence was proven after the accomplishments at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Foremost, Canada’s first opportunity to partake on the world stage came soon after the end of World War I, during the Paris Peace Conference. The accomplishments of the Canadian Army in the Battle of Vimy Ridge helped to earn Canada a spot in the Paris Peace Conference, after long arguments made on behalf of Canada by Prime Minister Robert Broden. The Prime Minister argued that Canada’s wartime record had earned Canada a seat separate from Britain. Canada was granted the seat despite the disapproval of the American President, Woodrow Wilson’s, as they contributed greatly to the Allied forces, especially in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
To begin, Canada became an independent nation on paper through two very important papers. The first paper was the Balfour Report at the imperial Conference of 1926, which stated that Britain's dominions were independent communities from Britain. This was the first step to the official declaration of Canada's independence. The second paper was the Statue of Westminster, the Act signed in the Britain that declared the Balfour Report law. This caused the establishing of The Commonwealth of Independent States. These two papers are of great importance in the formal creation of Canada as an autonomous state from Britain.
Obviously, the passing of the Statute of Westminster did not happened out of sudden and with no serious reason since it was one of the most fundamental changes in relationship between the British Empire and its dominions. It was the consequence of a substantial process of slowly granting more and more rights to the dominions, which finally lead not only Canada but also Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Irish Free State to their independence. After the end of World War One a big desire rose in Canada to become more independent from Britain and Canadian politicians sought to capitalize on the enormous sacrifices Canada had made during the war as nearly 60 000 Canadian soldiers died on the European battlefields pressing on to end the war against Germany. At that time Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden mentioned that “The dominions have fought in the war upon the principle of equal nationhood. That principle has been consecrated by the efforts and sacrifices” and “it must be maint...
The result of the Second World War fundamentally changed Canada and its economy started booming. There are many reasons for this change and if you remember, World War I also made a big impact on the development of Canada. However, in the next few paragraphs I will talk about how Canada gained much more respect and autonomy from the Second World War than ever before and also the change from a country into an industrialized nation.
The history of Canada was flooded with many influential and incredible events, particularly during World War 1 and World War 2. During the 20th century, Canada got more involved in worldwide events. It was a very important period for Canada; it was where they gained their independence and progressed as a country. After this century, Canada was considered an important and powerful country. The three main 20th century events in Canadian history are the battle of Vimy Ridge, the change of woman’s rights and the battle of Juno Beach.
The United Nations was formed shortly before the end of World War II when the League of Nations was deemed useless when it failed to prevent the outbreak of the war. Canada was so obliged to helping UN because they were a part of it when it was formed. Canada alongside the "Big Five" and others, became one of the original members of the peacekeeping and peacemaking UN. It was stated that "Canada has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and of peacekeeping, and has participated in almost every mission since its inc...
The post-war time was a period where major changes were occurring. After being involved in two international conflicts, Canada was ready to reestablish their economy. During this time, Canada had started working on ways to become stronger and reputable. It is evident that Canada had matured through the post-war era. Canada’s economic progress left a positive impact on the growth of the country as consumerism became popular, and economic ties with America became stronger. Moreover, the removal of racial and ethical barriers contributed to Canadian social affairs such as the huge wave of immigration and the baby boom. The Canadian government also had become more aware and involved in issues impacting Canadian citizens. Canada as a whole started identifying itself as an independent nation and participating in events that brought a positive reputation amongst them. These economical, social, and legal changes helped Canada mature into the country it is today.
In the decades following World War Two, there were a number of movements which focused on global developments. Groups such as the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization were centres of international cooperation. In these dealings there were, of course, great powers; the countries that had the greatest riches and militaries often dominated the global political stage. Beyond that, there were countries which were not the biggest or strongest, but were influential through other means. These were middle powers, and Canada is one of them.
Canada is a strong and independent country made up of thirteen unique provinces and territories. However, it took great efforts for Canada to become the united nation it is today. The British colonies were facing many problems. One solution for these issues was for the colonies to come together and form one county or nation. There were a number of different factors that pushed the colonies of British North America towards confederation. Due to political deadlock, economic challenges and pressure from the United States, confederation was absolutely necessary for the well-being and progress of Canada.
The History of Canada and Canadians Canada and World War 1. (n.d.). The History of Canada. Retrieved May 29, 2012, from http://www.linksnorth.com/canada-history/canadaandworldwar1.html
Canada has become a superior nation thru, perseverance, courage and even care as they persevered thru many dark battles, and made sure they all came thru together as a unit other than individuals. Their courage made there fighting 100% stronger as they wouldn’t back down to any task and they weren’t afraid to lose their life to help a fellow friend and country out. Care played a major aspect in each Canadian heart. There cared about Britain so they weren’t to go help them when they declared war, they helped other troops with their emotional problems and lastly they even cared a little about there enemies as they are the same person, however the only thing separating them is there culture. Canadians contributed in many ways to help our country's great efforts in the First World War.
The Confederation act of 1867 without question has had a major influence on the status of contemporary Canada. It has helped shape Canada into one of the worlds most politically and economically powerful countries; a country that is strong, independent, and united. There was a series of events which led to the confederation of Canada, some which are more significant than others. However, I believe that despite the significance of events such as the British encouragement of uniting its North American colonies, the central and key reason for confederation was the fear of potential American (Yankee) inhabitance (whether by persuasion or invasion) of the divided and vast British North American colonies, and the way that the “Fathers of Confederation” were able to take advantage of this situation and persuade reluctant colonies to join Confederation. A strong and united nation could not be easily invaded or bought. These essential factors will be discussed in the paragraphs to come.
Today Canada and the United States are major trading partners, allies, and two neighboring countries with a long history of cooperation with each other. But is it possible for Canada to protect its independence and culture living next door to the country so powerful and rich as the United States. Since the Canadian confederation, Canada started developing relations with the U.S. As the years passed by, Canada began to relay on the United States in the national defense. Many Canadians think that the military, political and economical dependence would not make a difference to their daily life. But today more then even Canadian culture is affected by the American influence. Media, American artists, economic dependence, American propaganda and political pressure from the United States is making Canada too Americanized. All of these factors reflect on the social life of ordinary Canadians threatening the heritage and the traditions that define Canada as independent country.
Canada refused to participate in the Suez canal crisis, “this action was a symbolic gesture that showed both England and the World that Canada was now a fully autonomous nation in total control of its foreign policy” (http://mrmillerss11.blogspot.ca/2010/02/feb-24-canadas-autonomy-timeline.html) . To stop any violence that would soon abrupt Lester. B.Pearson came up with the idea of “peacekeeping”. He stated “We are now emerging into an age when different civilizations will have to learn to live side by side in peaceful interchange, learning from each other, studying each other’s history and ideals, art and culture, mutually enriching each other’s lives. »