post ww2

Arms race

Competition between nations (especially the US and USSR) to build more powerful weapons during the Cold War.

Berlin Airlift

Western allies' operation to fly supplies into West Berlin after the Soviet blockade in 1948–49.

Berlin Wall

Barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, symbolizing the Cold War divide.

Bilingualism

The official policy of supporting both French and English languages in Canada.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals own businesses and operate for profit.

Cold war

A period of political tension and military rivalry between the US and USSR from 1945–1991, without direct warfare.

Containment

US foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism.

Cuban missile crisis

1962 confrontation between the US and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba; closest the Cold War came to nuclear war.

Red scare

The idea that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow.

FLQ

A separatist and terrorist group in Quebec active in the 1960s–70s.

Iron curtain

A symbolic and physical divide between Western Europe (democratic) and Eastern Europe (communist).

Korean war

A conflict between North and South Korea (1950–1953); North supported by China/USSR, South by UN/USA. North and south is still in ceasefire today.

MAD Mutually Assured Destruction

The idea that full-scale use of nuclear weapons would destroy both sides, deterring direct conflict.

Marshall plan

US aid program to rebuild European economies after WWII and stop the spread of communism.

Multiculturalism

Official Canadian policy (introduced by Trudeau) promoting cultural diversity.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a military alliance formed in 1949 between Western countries for mutual defense.

October Crisis 1970

Crisis in Quebec when FLQ kidnapped officials; led Trudeau to invoke the War Measures Act.

Pierre Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada known for bilingualism, multiculturalism, and handling the October Crisis.

Proxy war

A conflict where two opposing powers support different sides in other countries' wars (e.g. Vietnam, Korea).

Residential schools

Canadian institutions aimed at assimilating Indigenous children by removing them from their culture.

Truman Doctrine

US policy to support any country that has the threat of communist uprising or takeover.

UN Peacekeeping

Efforts led by the UN (often with Canadian involvement) to maintain peace and prevent conflict.

Vietnam War

Conflict in Vietnam between communist North and US-backed South; major Cold War proxy war. Americans were embarassed for supporting democratic south because they were horrible.

Warsaw pact

When communist countries (ussr and eastern europe) formed a alliance similar to nato as a response to nato. An attack on one is an attack on all.

Change and Continuity for Women in Canada

Examines how women’s roles and rights evolved (e.g., post-WWII work, 1960s feminism, pay equity).

Separatism

Movements like Quebec separatism seeking independence or more autonomy from Canada. Francophone identity.

Cold war cause and consequence

Caused by ideological conflict (capitalism vs. communism); consequences include arms race, proxy wars, and global tensions.

Indigenous

Covers impact of colonization, Residential Schools, land claims, Truth and Reconciliation efforts, and Indigenous resurgence.

Proxy wars signifcance, cause and conseqence

Indirect conflicts like Korea and Vietnam used to spread ideological influence; caused major human and political costs.

Canadas immigration

Looks at immigration patterns, treatment of minorities, multiculturalism policy, and demographic changes over time.