Canada-American Relations

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that, most of the time, Canada was a loyal ally of the U.S. during the first three decades of the Cold War. The paper also argues, however that, in the period from 1968 to 1975, Canada deviated from America in substantial ways because of a more belligerent form of nationalism and because of the desire of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to carve for himself a distinctive path in Canadian political history. The paper concludes that Canada may have failed to "tow the line" on occasion, but its record as an ally of Washington's is a strong one, especially during the late 1940s, 1950s and most of the 1960s.

From the Paper:

"In the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Canada's contribution to continental air security extended beyond simply being a welcome cushion for America in the event of an all-out war. Firstly, Canada erected, maintained and operated the Mid-Canada or McGill Radar Warning Line - an installation that paralleled the complex US Pine Tree System. The existence of the Mid-Canada Radar Warning Line says a couple things about Canada during this period: firstly, it says that Canada was willing to expend large sums of money on a defense project that would benefit America as well as the Dominion."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. "North Atlantic Treaty; April 4, 1949." 12 June 2007 <http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/nato.htm> (accessed 11 June 2007).
• "Canadian United States Ties." Labor Law Journal, 10, no.8 (1959): 536.
• Conant, Melvin. "Canada's Role in Western Defense." Foreign Affairs, 40, no.3 (1962): 431-442.
• Department of State, United States of America. "Treaty on the non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons." Non-Proliferation Treaty. 20 Jan. 2001 <http://www.state.gov/www/global/arms/treaties/npt1.html#2> (accessed 11 June 2007).
• Sloan Dickey, John. "Canada Independent." Foreign Affairs, 50, no.4 (1972): 684-697.

More papers on Canada-American Relations:

• Analytical Essay # 143136 : "Canadian-United States Relations"
• Analytical Essay # 141562 : "Canada-U.S. Relations Between 1956 And 1963"
• Persuasive Essay # 101760 : "Is NAFTA Good For Canada?"

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