History Browser

This article explains the history of the Cold War era of NATO, the Warsaw Pact. It focuses on Canada's role during this era. Includes a list of suggested readings.

CBC visits a former nuclear war bunker in Nanaimo, BC, to investigate what is to become of it in the post-Cold War era.

Canadian forces are in combat for the first time in decades. Four Canadian fighter jets flew into Iraqi airspace, escorting allied attack planes in Operation Desert Storm.

These Canadian APCs seen at the Sarajevo airport are serving with the United Nations in Bosnia during the 1993 siege of the city. (Canadian Department of National Defence, 93-5381)

Royal 22nd Regiment prepares to help resolve dispute with Mohawks at Oka, Quebec.

In 1991, Canadian troops were sent abroad for the first time since the Korean War, joining the Allied forces to fight Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Unlike any conflict before, the Gulf War of 1991 brought the threat of biological warfare. Iraqi forces retreated quickly; however, it was evident that problems remained unresolved. Includes links to related topics.

Students are provided with information on the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada, to understand why it has recently received designation as a world heritage site

The dissolution of world communism which began in 1989 signaled an era in which the United Nations might act as the world's great arbiter of international conflict. To this aim UN peacekeeping operations continued to be a major occupation of Canada's armed forces and the role of military observation depended on effective signals intelligence, in which Canada was a world leader.

Vietnam may have been America's war but Canada was heavily involved — for and against. Canada harboured American draft dodgers and helped supervise ceasefires. But at the same time, about 30,000 Canadians volunteered to fight in southeast Asia. And there was Canada's involvement in secret missions, weapons testing and arms production. The CBC Archives looks at Canada's role in the Vietnam War.

The decades of the "Cold War" were a time of dynamic change in the world order and the role of the Canadian Signals forces expanded and evolved significantly to adapt to various new challenges.