History of Canada (1945–1960) facts for kids
Canada changed a lot after the Second World War. The country became more prosperous. The Liberal government started new programs to help people. These included universal health care, money for older people (called old-age pensions), and support for soldiers who returned from the war.
Before the war, Newfoundland faced many financial problems. In 1934, it stopped being an independent country and became a colony ruled by Britain. When the U.S. military arrived in 1941, Newfoundland's economy improved. Over 10,000 American soldiers came, and the U.S. invested a lot in air and naval bases. Many Newfoundlanders started to like the idea of joining the United States. This worried the Canadian government. Canada wanted Newfoundland to join its country instead. In 1948, the British government gave Newfoundlanders three choices in a vote: stay a British colony, become independent again, or join Canada. Joining the U.S. was not an option. After many discussions, Newfoundlanders voted to join Canada in 1949. It became Canada's tenth province.
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Canada After the War
The Second World War brought big changes to Canada. The economy grew a lot. The government became more centralized during the war and stayed that way. The federal government also started new social programs. These ideas often came from the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation party. They had already started similar programs in western provinces.
Federally, these programs included hospital insurance and pensions for older people and veterans. After the war, the military changed. Women were not recruited again until the Korean War in 1951. Free child care and tax breaks were removed to encourage women to leave their jobs. A new law provided a family allowance, also called a "baby bonus." This helped families recover from war costs and wage freezes. Parents of children under 16 received monthly payments. These payments were between $5 and $8, depending on the child's age.
Canada's economy did very well because of the war. In Alberta, there was a big economic boom. This happened after new oil fields were found in 1947. People started buying more goods after the war. Car ownership also increased steadily. By 1960, two-thirds of Canadian homes owned a car. About 10% even owned two or more cars.
In 1947, Canada created its own citizenship. Before this, Canadians were considered British subjects. After January 1, 1947, anyone born in Canada automatically became a Canadian citizen. Most people who were already Canadian citizens (as British subjects) also received the new citizenship. "Status Indians" (people covered by the Indian Act) born before 1947 were given Canadian citizenship in 1956. They had not been full citizens before 1947.
Mackenzie King won the election of 1945. He retired in 1948. Louis St. Laurent became the new Prime Minister. St. Laurent helped expand social programs. He also helped bring Newfoundland into Canada in 1949.
Newfoundland Joins the Country
After the Second World War, in 1946, Newfoundland held an election. This was for the Newfoundland National Convention. This group would decide Newfoundland's future. The Convention voted to hold a referendum. People would choose between continuing British rule or becoming independent again.
Joseph R. Smallwood led the group that wanted to join Canada. He suggested adding a third choice: joining Canada. His idea was voted down by the Convention. But Smallwood did not give up. He collected over 5,000 petitions from people. He sent these to London through the Governor. The United Kingdom said it would not give Newfoundland more money. So, they added the option of joining Canada to the ballot.
After much debate, the first vote happened on June 3, 1948. People chose between British rule, becoming independent, or joining Canada. Three main groups campaigned. Smallwood's Confederate Association wanted to join Canada. The groups against joining Canada were split. Peter Cashin's Responsible Government League and Chesley Crosbie's Party for Economic Union with the United States both wanted Newfoundland to be independent again. No group supported continuing British rule.
The first vote was very close. About 44.6% wanted to be independent again. About 41.1% wanted to join Canada. And 14.3% wanted to continue British rule. Because the results were so close, a second vote was needed.
Before the second vote, there were rumors that Catholic leaders were influencing votes. The Orange Order, a Protestant group, was upset. They told all their members to vote for joining Canada. Catholics were said to be voting for independence. Protestants outnumbered Catholics in Newfoundland by two to one. This is thought to have greatly affected the second vote.
A second vote happened on July 22, 1948. Newfoundlanders chose between joining Canada or becoming independent. This time, 52% voted to join Canada. 48% voted for independence. Newfoundland officially joined Canada on March 31, 1949. Not everyone was happy with the results. Peter Cashin, who was against joining Canada, questioned if the votes were fair. He said it was a secret deal between London and Ottawa that made confederation happen.
The Cold War
Meanwhile, Canada's foreign relations started to focus on the United States. The U.S. had become a major world power, replacing Britain. During World War II, Canada was a smaller partner with the U.S. and Britain. The U.S. promised to help defend Canada if needed.
Canada was one of the first countries to join the United Nations in 1945. It also joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949. But Canada was often overshadowed by the United States in world affairs. Canada remained a close friend of the United States throughout the Cold War.
In 1945, Igor Gouzenko, a spy for the Soviet Embassy in Canada, left his job in Ottawa. He shared secrets about Soviet spying. This caused a "red scare" in Canada. People worried about communists and spies. Eighteen people were arrested and found guilty. This included Fred Rose, a Communist Member of Parliament.
Canada also took part in the Korean War under the United Nations. Lester Bowles Pearson was the Minister of External Affairs under St. Laurent. He worked on the diplomatic side of the conflict. After the war, he became very active in diplomacy with the United Nations. In 1956, Pearson suggested a solution to the Suez Crisis. He proposed creating an international peacekeeping force. For his efforts, Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957.
St. Laurent tried to create a new, very advanced jet fighter called the Avro Arrow. It was the fastest aircraft ever made at that time. It is still very close to the speed of modern planes. However, this controversial aircraft was cancelled in 1959. This happened under St. Laurent's successor, John George Diefenbaker. Diefenbaker did help set up a missile defence system with the United States, called NORAD.
Some people in Canada warned against being too close to the United States. But before 1957, most Canadians agreed on foreign and defense policies. People from all political parties agreed that NATO was good and communism was bad. They also thought a close link with Europe was good. They believed the Commonwealth represented a great past.
However, this agreement did not last. By 1957, the Suez Crisis caused problems between Canada, Britain, and France. Politicians started to distrust American leadership. Business people questioned American investments. And thinkers made fun of American television and Hollywood movies. These were watched by all Canadians. Public support for Canada's foreign policy started to fall apart. Foreign policy, which had been a winning issue for the Liberals, quickly became a losing one.
High Arctic Relocation
During the Cold War, Canada wanted to show it controlled the High Arctic. This area was important for its location. Because of this, the federal government forcibly moved Inuit people. They were moved from northern Quebec to a barren place called Cornwallis Island, Nunavut.
The first group was moved in 1953. They came from Inukjuak, Quebec (then called Port Harrison) and from Pond Inlet, Nunavut. They were promised homes and animals to hunt. But when they arrived, they found no buildings. There was also very little familiar wildlife. They also had to live through weeks of 24-hour darkness in winter. And they had 24-hour sunlight in summer. This does not happen in northern Quebec.
The Inuit were told they could return home after a year if they wanted. But this offer was later taken back. The government thought it would hurt Canada's claims to control the area. So, the Inuit were forced to stay. Eventually, the Inuit learned the local beluga whale migration routes. They were able to survive in the area. They hunted over a huge area of 18,000 square kilometers (about 6,950 square miles) each year.
Images for kids
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A newborn baby in an incubator at Toronto Western Hospital, 1955
See also
- Heritage Minutes
- History of Canada
