Cold war articles

The Canadian

November 2, 1960

Canada in the Congo

After the Belgian government granted independence to the Congo on June 30, 1960. The country collapsed into a civil war after Congolese troops revolted against the white officers in power. This action caused a chain reaction since no official government held office and different groups from different regions began fighting amongst each other to gain power.

The Canadian

November 2, 1960

Canada has partnered with the UN operation in the Congo to support the conflict. This past August Canadian troops were dispatched to the Congo to stabilize the country after the province of Kanga a resource-rich land succeeded from the country. The soldiers were tasked with the responsibility to rescue hostages held by the Congolese National Movement party. As well as disarm rebel forces. Canada’s involvement in the Congo crisis has now become an issue of controversy After the realization that they were supporting the Western-backed political party. Many critics of the United Nations Operation in the Congo are bringing forward the organization's biased behaviour toward America and their hand in the conflict. Similarly, Canadian soldiers are facing criticism for their bias aiding the leaders of the Western-minded politician party. While the conflict continues to progress Canada’s hand in the matter may continue to be called into question.

The two opposing sides were supported by the Soviet Union and the United States, turning this conflict into a proxy war. Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, who is currently in power, is currently being backed by the Soviet Union. America is attempting to install politician Mobutu Sese Seko as the ruling authority in the Congo in order to sway the country toward becoming more like the United States. This conflict has so far caused many casualties and currently, there is no clear side with the upper hand.

The Canadian

April 24, 1961

The First to Touch the Stars

On April 12, 1961, a man by the name of Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first man in space. Too much disappointment for our neighbours to the south. Gagarin Yu, a 27-year-old test pilot and industrial technician, became the first man to orbit the Earth.

The Canadian

April 24, 1961

While in orbit The mission attracted much media attention, and the pilot, Gagarin Yu, has become an international celebrity. He has even received many awards, such as the Order of Lenin and the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. With all these positive media also come worries from the Canadian and American governments about increased spying from the Soviet Union. There is a suspicion that the latest advancements by the Soviets will be used against the American people. Now more than ever, the United States strives to make its first attempt at space. Though unable to be the first, the United States of America has a new goal to be the first to reach the moon. As expressed by the president, “First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieve the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon.” - JFK. According to NASA, Alan Shepard, an American engineer training to be an, will be the first to visit America in space which is what America. A target that the Canadian government is working alongside America to advance.

The mission took place aboard the Vostok 1, a Soviet spaceship designed by engineer Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. The spacecraft departed at 06:07 UTC and entered orbit at 06:17 UTC. The flight was completely controlled by an automatic control centre on Earth. The mission was a success, and the aircraft was able to make a complete orbit around the Earth.

The Canadian

October 25, 1964

Canada In the Olympics

Canada in the Olympics

This year Canada competed in the 1964 Olympic games. The games were held in Tokyo Japan which was met with much contruversy postwar. Many canadians were angry with the locations but some were supportive. Despite the coraversy Canada competed well in the olympics and ended up being one of the strongest teams.

The Canadian

October 25, 1964

Some successful Canadian athletes included Harry Jerome a black Canadian sprinter from Prince Albert, Sasktuwan won a bronze medal for Canada in the 100-meter race. Another standout was heavyweight Douglas Rogers who won a silver medal in Judo. The Canadian teams were also quite successful The Canadian men's basketball team won a silver medal, and the men's rowing team won gold. Canada’s participation in the Olympic games brought immense pride to Canadians. As well as being a stage for Canada to display their greatest athletes this past Olympics also posed as the debut for Canada’s official flag of the maple leaf wear previously the Dominion of Canada flag was raised. This was a significant step for Canada to display its independence from Great Britain on a global stage. Canada’s involvement in the 1964 Olympics was incredible and it continues to show the rest of the world who Canada is and what we are capable of.

Canada proudly competed against prominent teams such as France, England and the United States and was able to secure 15 medals. Of the medals four of them were gold, there were also four silver medals and seven bronze medals. Canada’s Olympic team consisting of 118 athletes consisting of 98 men and 20 women from across the country made up one of the larges teams at the olympics.