🇨🇦History of Canada – 1867 to Present Unit 9 – Post-War Canada: Growth and Social Change

Key Events and Timeline

• World War II ended in 1945 marked the beginning of the post-war era in Canada
• Newfoundland joined Confederation in 1949 becoming Canada's 10th province
• Korean War (1950-1953) Canada participated as part of the United Nations forces
• St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959 allowing ocean-going vessels to reach the Great Lakes
• Quiet Revolution began in Quebec in the 1960s led to secularization and social reforms
• Canada celebrated its Centennial in 1967 with Expo 67 in Montreal showcasing Canadian culture and innovation
• October Crisis in 1970 involved kidnappings by the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) and invocation of the War Measures Act
• Canada adopted a new flag featuring a red maple leaf in 1965 replacing the Canadian Red Ensign

Economic Boom and Challenges

• Post-war economic boom fueled by pent-up consumer demand, government spending, and resource development
• Expansion of social welfare programs including universal healthcare, pensions, and unemployment insurance
• Growth of manufacturing sector, particularly in Ontario and Quebec (automotive, electronics, aerospace)
• Resource-based industries (mining, forestry, oil and gas) expanded to meet global demand
• Economic challenges emerged in the 1970s and 1980s:
  • Oil price shocks in 1973 and 1979 led to inflation and economic downturn
  • Increasing global competition and trade liberalization put pressure on Canadian industries
  • Regional economic disparities persisted, with high unemployment in Atlantic Canada and parts of Quebec
• Canada-United States Automotive Products Agreement (Auto Pact) signed in 1965 facilitated integration of the North American automotive industry

Political Landscape and Leadership

• Liberal Party dominated federal politics for much of the post-war period under Prime Ministers Louis St. Laurent, Lester B. Pearson, and Pierre Trudeau
• Progressive Conservative Party led by John Diefenbaker formed government from 1957 to 1963
• Quebec's Quiet Revolution in the 1960s led to the rise of Quebec nationalism and demands for greater autonomy
• Trudeau era (1968-1984) marked by efforts to promote national unity, official bilingualism, and multiculturalism
• Patriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982 included the adoption of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Rise of Western alienation and regional political movements (Reform Party, Bloc Québécois) in the 1980s and 1990s
• Meech Lake Accord (1987) and Charlottetown Accord (1992) attempted to address Quebec's constitutional concerns but ultimately failed

Social and Cultural Shifts

• Baby Boom generation born in the post-war years had a significant impact on Canadian society
• Expansion of post-secondary education and rise of youth culture in the 1960s
• Women's rights movement gained momentum leading to increased participation in the workforce and politics
• Indigenous peoples mobilized for recognition of treaty rights and self-determination
• Counterculture and social movements of the 1960s and 1970s (civil rights, anti-war, environmentalism) influenced Canadian society
• Multiculturalism became official policy in 1971 recognizing Canada's diverse population
• Secularization of Quebec society during the Quiet Revolution transformed the province's institutions and culture
• Canadian cultural identity strengthened through the arts, literature, and media (CBC, National Film Board)

Demographic Changes and Immigration

• Post-war baby boom led to rapid population growth and increased demand for housing, education, and services
• Immigration patterns shifted from primarily European to more diverse sources:
  • Immigrants from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean increased in the 1960s and 1970s
  • Refugees from various global conflicts (Hungarian Revolution, Vietnam War, Ugandan Asian expulsion) resettled in Canada
• Urbanization accelerated as more Canadians moved to cities for work and education
• Aboriginal population grew rapidly but continued to face socio-economic challenges and discrimination
• Official Languages Act of 1969 recognized English and French as Canada's official languages
• Aging population emerged as a concern in the latter part of the 20th century with implications for healthcare and pensions

International Relations and Foreign Policy

• Canada played an active role in the United Nations and international peacekeeping missions (Suez Crisis, Cyprus, Congo)
• Cold War tensions influenced Canadian foreign policy and defense spending
• Canada-United States relations deepened through trade, defense cooperation (NORAD), and cultural exchange
• Trudeau government established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1970
• Canada supported the international campaign against South African apartheid in the 1980s
• Free trade agreements with the United States (FTA, 1988) and later Mexico (NAFTA, 1994) increased economic integration
• Canada participated in the Gulf War (1990-1991) as part of the US-led coalition against Iraq
• Peacekeeping challenges in the 1990s (Rwanda, Somalia, Yugoslavia) led to a reassessment of Canada's role

Technological Advancements

• Television became a major influence on Canadian culture and communication in the post-war years
• Development of the CANDU nuclear reactor in the 1950s and 1960s established Canada as a leader in nuclear technology
• Alouette 1, Canada's first satellite, launched in 1962 marking the beginning of Canada's space program
• Computerization and automation transformed Canadian industries and workplaces in the 1970s and 1980s
• Canadarm, a robotic arm used on NASA's Space Shuttle, showcased Canadian technological expertise
• Telecommunications advancements (fiber optics, mobile phones, internet) revolutionized communication and business in the 1990s
• Medical innovations such as the discovery of insulin and the development of the pacemaker improved healthcare outcomes
• Environmental technologies (renewable energy, pollution control) gained importance as awareness of environmental issues grew

Legacy and Long-Term Impact

• Post-war economic boom laid the foundation for Canada's modern economy and social welfare system
• Quebec's Quiet Revolution had lasting impacts on Canadian federalism and national unity
• Patriation of the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrined individual rights and freedoms in Canadian law
• Multiculturalism became a defining feature of Canadian identity and influenced immigration and social policies
• Canada's peacekeeping reputation was challenged by failures in the 1990s leading to a reassessment of its global role
• Free trade agreements reshaped the Canadian economy and its relationship with the United States and other trading partners
• Technological advancements transformed Canadian society, economy, and culture in the late 20th century
• Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples emerged as a critical issue in the wake of residential school abuses and ongoing socio-economic disparities