Comparing The 1971 White Paper On Defence And The 2008 Canada First Defence Strategy

The American “way of war” can be seen politically through the evolution of military policy as political perspectives changed. Post-World War II reveals primary and consistent policies that lead American military policymakers to avoid major international conflict. Coined the Cold War, Americans began waging war

The Cold War, which was considered the “years of maximum danger,” lasted from 1949-1962. This period brought an increasing sense of danger to America because the Soviet Union came into possession of an atomic bomb in 1949; an idea many Americans thought to be impossible unless the Soviet Union had a spy in the United States, which they did. Because the Soviet Union had an atomic bomb, a nuclear war became a reality. In Kenneth Rose’s “One Nation Underground” he told of rising issues associated with the Cold War and the threat of nuclear bombings. The Cold War, in conjunction with the inventions of (total destructive) bombs, generated new dangers, fears, and morality issues among Americans, which led to further increased fears.

From 1953 to 1962, people were asked what the largest fear and problem is in America. For those 10 years, war was the biggest fear (document 3). When Russia had built their first atomic bomb, Americans feared for their lives. They started pouring money and resources into building bomb shelters, to prepare for nuclear war (document 5). During the Cold War, America’s defense budget jumped 1940 to 1960. It started at 18% and grew to 52% by 1960 (document 8).

The two superpowers in the world, the United States and Soviet Union, had begun to show their strengths immediately after war. Following the war, they got involved in events such as the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War in an attempt to prove who was stronger. After those events the two countries participated in an arms race, a contest in which they competed to see who was to build more powerful weapons. As this race turned into a more serious situation, and Americans started to realize that the United States wasn’t the only one with powerful weapons, fear united them once again. As shown in Document 3, the dominant problem throughout the years 1953-1962 was the threat of war.

In the 1950’s during Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency which was also the peak of the Cold War, The Soviet Union’s development and testing of WMD’s (Atomic, Nuclear and H-Bomb) raised fears of war around the world. The Soviet Union started to expand their idea of communism to democratic nations in Europe, this raised tensions with the U.S. which heighten fear and anxiety of the American public of an imminent nuclear/Atom/H-Bomb war between the super powers.

The forty-five years from the dropping of the atom bombs to the end of the Soviet Union, can be seen as the era of the new conflict between two major states: United States of America (USA) and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). According to Hobsbawm, ‘cold war’ was the constant confrontation of the two super powers which emerged from the Second World War. At that time the entire generation was under constant fear of global nuclear battles. It was widely believed that it could break out at any moment. (Hobsbawm, 1994) The consequences of the ‘power vacuum’ in central Europe, created by the defeat of Germany, gave rise to these two super powers (Dunbabin, 1994). The world was divided into

The Cold War was a significant time for the United States and the Soviet Union, while the rest of the world watched intently. Although no actual war took place, both of these powerful countries did their best to promote their political and ideological ideas while trying to gain some ground in the seemingly never ending arms race. This war was driven by both fear and the strive to become the strongest and most powerful country. During the time of the Cold War, the United States proved to be a strong influence over Canada. Given its location, it was obvious as to which side Canada was on. While Canada believed in the same ideologies as the US, this nation was still reluctant to fully emerge themselves into the hysteria that had been emerging in the US. However, even though Canada had just received world recognition for its contribution during the Second World War, this large yet acutely populated country had much still to prove. During this time, Canada just recently became a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). But while Canada was making huge steps in their peacekeeping and military growth, there were still rumours of espionage circling the country.

Operations in the post-9\11 era have been a major defence strategy to safeguard international security. As detailed in the Canada First Defence Strategy, the military will deliver the ability to conduct six core missions within Canada, North America and abroad, one of them being “lead and/or conduct a major international operation for an extended period” . Operation Artemis is one of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) participation in counterterrorism and maritime security operations. In this essay, I will describe in detail how this operation is linked to Canada`s security and its importance in demonstrating solidarity with partners and allies, working together for peace and security in the maritime environment of the greater Middle East region

This political study will define the future effect of the election of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in terms of the Canadian foreign policy in the restructuring of military intervention in foreign affairs and the pro-trade globalization mandates of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Trudeau’s election defines the overriding political agenda of the Liberal Party of Canada to stop ineffective bombing missions in Syria and Iraq, yet to maintain special forces troops to better manage the war against ISIS. More so, Trudeau supports the globalization of Canadian trade by promoting the positive effects of the TPP to promote international growth in trade. These aspects of the new Liberal government are vital aspects of as greater focus on improved economic security and a declining approach to pro-American bombing campaigns as a form of military interventionism in foreign affairs. In essence, a political analysis of the future effects of the Liberal Party of Canada under PM Trudeau will define the restructuring of military intervention in Iraq and Syria and the increased focus on international trade under the guidelines of the TPP in foreign policy.

Following the end of World War Two (WWII), the United States as well as much of the western world was thrust into the escalating crisis which came to be known as the Cold War. As this new threat emerged looming over the United States and its NATO

With this book, a major element of American history was analyzed. The Cold War is rampant with American foreign policy and influential in shaping the modern world. Strategies of Containment outlines American policy from the end of World War II until present day. Gaddis outlines the policies of presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, including policies influenced by others such as George Kennan, John Dulles, and Henry Kissinger. The author, John Lewis Gaddis has written many books on the Cold War and is an avid researcher in the field. Some of his other works include: The United States and the Origins of the Cold War, 1941-1947, The Long Peace: Inquiries into the History of the Cold War, We Now Know: Rethinking Cold War

Keating suggests that, the United States identified failed states as its principal security threat. The similarity between the United States agenda and Ottawa’s action is presented by Janice Gross Stein and Eugene Lang in “The 3Ds in Afghanistan”. The author suggests that the most serious criticism of Canadian Forces is that, “the military was working with their friends in Washington to drive policy in the direction they wanted it to go.” Consequently, “the government has worried about security, when failed states represent a direct threat to Canadian [and western] interests.”

Moreover, Canada has dictated in the past that they are not a puppet to the U.S in refusing to join certain American military initiatives such as the Vietnam War. Currently, The Islamic State possesses a threat to the western world, hence Canada has taken action in allying with other states that perceive the same threat to ensure; foremost, the protection of Canada. Kenneth Waltz’s Alliance Theory suggest that; states, in order to strengthen themselves against external threats, can pursue Internal or external balancing strategies. External balancing is described as forming external alliances with other states, against a common threat. (Schofield, 2016) Therefore, though Canada has exhibited bandwagoning with the strength of the U.S, External balancing better describes Canada’s method of dealing with external

It is now evident that with the warming up of the Arctic Ocean, naval forces of the littoral states can penetrate easily at least during the summer months on the pretext of protecting the explored resources. Also, some scholars predict that the contested sovereignty among the various states will essentially lead to more military presence. Militarization is thus one of the major challenges the region might face in the near future. Norwegian foreign secretary Jonas Gahr Stoere has expressed that the presence of military, navy and coastguard in the region is necessary. Canada has planned to develop deep water naval facility at Nanisivik which lies in the disputed Northwest Passage; to build armed ice-breakers and deployment of patrol ships. Canada

Canada's outside strategy mirrors the idea of the commonwealth itself: it is set apart by soundness, an inclination for trade off, and a hesitance for fast political change (Bromke, A. 1983). Canada's major outside strategy center is its association with the US, which has complex monetary, political and social measurements. Canada has been a dynamic individual from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since its origin in 1949. As fare situated economies with solid interests in horticulture and assets, Australia and Canada have a typical enthusiasm for a guideline based, open and non-oppressive world exchange framework. The two nations were unmistakable players in the formation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1947, and today both are dynamic and compelling individuals from its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO), (Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, 2017).