Defining Moments in Canadian History

Canada’s defining moments

All countries in the world extraordinary moments which helps to define the identity of the country. Canada has many of these defining moments where the event, action or decision results in the significant change for the country. The Suez Crisis, Battle of Vimy Ridge, and the October Crisis were the main defining moments for Canada because these events shaped the way Canadian society is today.

The Peacekeeping force sent by the United Nations during the Suez Crisis was a great moment to showcase Canada’s independence from Britain.  The Suez Crisis was an armed dispute between the British and French against the Egyptians over the Suez Canal. The canal was built in 1859 in Egypt by French Company and is vital for oil supply for the British. Egyptian President wants to seize control of the canal in 1956 because the canal was made by Egyptians and located on Egyptian Soil. The Egyptians take the canal which caused the British and French to send military forces to invade the canal. Britain asks Canada to help them in their attack but Canada refuses. Canadian Lester Pearson asks the United Nations to send in a peace keeping force to allow both sides fighting to separate peacefully. The mission was lead by Canadian soldiers. Canada had always done what Britain had asks it to such as joining the Boer War and World War One but Canada had learned to make its own decisions. Canada refusing to help Britain attack Egypt showed the international community that they were capable of making their own decisions and should be recognized as its own independent country. Also, it was the Canadians who thought of the idea of peacekeeping which prevented another World War. Therefore, Canada showed it does not follow in the footsteps of Britain anymore and the ability to lead other countries to keep world peace which given Canada the symbol of peacekeeping today.

Canada was entered World War One because of it was still a British Colony and had to obey Britain’s instructions of helping them in the war.  Vimy Ridge was a long whale shaped hump of land that rose sixty metres above ground in an area of valuable resources in France. The ridge was controlled and fortified by the Germans with trenches, underground bunkers and machine gun posts. The British and French forces had been trying to take the ridge for months but were unable to accomplish the objective.  All 4 of the Canadian Corps divisions were brought in lead by Major General Arthur Currie to help take the ridge. Arthur Currie developed the creeping barrage tactic for using artillery fire to blanket the advancing troops from the enemy. British and French lost over 200,000 troops trying to take the ridge while the Canadians only lost 3500. Canada had shown that it was capable of accomplishing a major victory where the British and French could not. Instead of Canada relying on Britain for help, the British needed Canada’s help in order to take the ridge. Many of the soldiers fighting were Canadian and the strategies were also made by Canadians. The Battle of Vimy Ridge showed to the rest of the Allied Forces that the Canadians are separate from Britain. Also, the Canadian forces were called the Storm troopers and were highly recognized by other nations as they accomplished something no other country could accomplish.

The October Crisis in Canada was very threatening to Canada as it affected the Citizen’s safety and the political issues of separating Quebec. The FLQ was a Quebec Separatism terrorist group that was determined to end the English colonization of Quebec. The FLQ kidnaps the British Trade Commissioner James Cross and the Quebec Minister of Immigration Pierre Laporte. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau enables the War Measures act which suspends civil liberties, and banned the FLQ. The Canadian Army is sent into Montreal and Ottawa to protect the citizens and important officials. The FLQ kills Pierre Laporte but the members holding James Cross are captured by the police which end the FLQ Crisis.  Canada did not need to rely on Britain’s help on this huge threat to Canadian culture and society. Prime Minister Trudeau was able to show to the world that Canada was capable of taking care of itself insides its own country. If Canada had not solved this problem then Quebec may have been separated from the rest of Canada. Canada shows it is very strong internally by being able to keep both the English and French Cultures from fighting but embrace each other’s differences. 

Canadian Society can be defined by the Suez Crisis, Battle of Vimy Ridge, and the October Crisis because they show Canada’s ability to handle situations where it may seem impossible. The Peacekeeping force lead by Canada during the Suez Crisis defined Canada as the symbol of peacekeeping and showed its independence from Britain. At Vimy Ridge, the Canadians earned respect from the allied forces as a whole nation for accomplishing a very difficult task. Finally, the October Crisis showed Canada’s strength to keep the country together and provided a stepping stone for the multicultural society today.  Canada has developed into one of the most respected countries in the world due to the defining moments and will continue to produce significant changes in modern society.