Significant_Canadian_People

ISU Argumentative Essay There are some events in Canadian history that show the world that we are not just another one of Britain’s colonies, events that show the world that we are our own country and we decide what is best for Canadians and for other people in other countries. There are also Canadian people who have made a difference in Canada and even the world. The events and the people that are significant in Canadian history are Canada joins the Korean War, the Gulf War, Terry Fox, Pierre Trudeau and Lester B. Pearson. They have shown how Canadians contribute in their own country and in other parts of the world. In every decade starting from the 1950s Canadian people or events have truly made a difference and are significant in Canada’s history. In the 1950s after World War II the United Nations has been in place for five years and works to promote peace throughout the world. However a crisis is beginning to occur in Korea between the people. After WWII Japans empire was destroyed and the Soviet Union occupied North Korea seeking to gain influence in the region, the Americans were moving into South Korea. Both groups left but not before establishing a communist government in the North and a democratic government in the South. The tension between the two countries was rising and on June 25, 1950 North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea. The UN created a solution that involved force in order to preserve peace with the contribution of military forces from sixteen different countries including Canada. North Korean soldiers eventually reached Seoul, South Korea’s capital fortunately UN forces arrived and forced North Korean soldiers to retreat. They had taken control of the capital and were moving to the Chinese border. However Chinese soldiers struck back at the UN with a massive force that pushed the South Korean and UN soldiers back. With new soldiers and equipment the Chinese and North Korean armies forced the American army to move back or they would be completely overrun. Fortunately the Canadian army stepped in along with other commonwealth forces and helped the Americans fight off the enemy so they could retreat to safety. For their bravery and help the Canadians were awarded a US Presidential Citation. Canada contributed most of the soldiers than any of the other countries that were involved in the operation. This event is significant in Canadian history because it shows how Canada wants to promote global peace in parts of the world that are corrupt, violent and brutal. “While honouring its military obligations, Canada has continued to promote dialogue and negotiation as the first option to solve global issues (VAC)”. 516 Canadian soldiers died throughout the Korean War. They paid the ultimate price to fight in a country on the other side of the world that had no relation to Canada. Why did they do this' Because Canadians have always been eager to help those countries that are in conflict by creating a peaceful solution first so loss of life can be avoided. But we remember those soldiers who went in to the battle and never came back those who gave their lives to achieve peace between two nations. In the 1990s conflict was brewing in the Middle East between the neighbouring oil filled countries Kuwait and Iraq. Both countries had achieved independence but the relationship between them was not smooth. Iraq felt that Kuwait was really a part of Iraq and that Kuwaiti oil rigs were illegally pumping oil from Iraqi oil fields. In the 1980s tension grew between the countries and on August 2nd, 1990 Iraq made a bold move and invaded Kuwait and quickly took control of the country. The UNs reaction to this was that Iraq had made an aggressive move and would condemn them for it. Canada along with 35 other countries joined an international operation led by the US to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. Between 1990 and 1991 Canada’s military along with the military of the other countries involved moved into the region and prepared for the upcoming firefight. The UN proposed a withdrawal for Iraq from Kuwait but when the deadline was reached Iraq ignored the withdrawal. After this the UN began with a destructive air campaign following this was an infantry and armour advance into Kuwait that quickly forced Iraqi troops out of the country and into Iraq. The UN suspended the fighting and offered Iraq a cease fire that they accepted. Iraq had been defeated. Canada remained in the region after the Gulf War as part of the UN peacekeeping mission. Along the border they monitored the demilitarized zone between Kuwait and Iraq, investigated cease fire violations and diffused landmines. Canada also played a big role in investigating Iraq’s biological, chemical and nuclear weapons production facilities. Canadian warships were involved in Multinational Interception force operations and helped to enforce the economic sanctions imposed against Iraq after the Gulf War. This event is significant in Canadian history because it is another example Canada’s campaign to maintain global peace between all countries no matter their race or religion. Kuwait was a dangerous place especially with Iraqi troops already in control of the country. “There are many risks for soldiers in a modern warzone that go beyond the obvious ones of enemy fire and landmines. Friendly fire incidents, vehicle accidents, mysterious illnesses and the psychological stress of serving in such stressful conditions can take a terrible and life long toll (VAC)”. Even though Canadian soldiers were well aware of these many risks they were committed in the operation and played a big role in driving the Iraqi troops out of Kuwait. They’re commitment was so great that they stayed after the war in the country to guard Kuwait from Iraq in case they tried to invade again. Canada had sent over 4000 soldiers to Kuwait and they all returned alive with no one being killed in action. They were truly victorious in the Gulf War. In the 1980s Terry Fox ran the Marathon of Hope, which was his run across Canada from St. Johns to Vancouver. This Marathon that we recognize today is ran every year in memory of Terry and what he did and tried to do to fight cancer and raise money. Terry was born on July 28th 1958 and was very athletic as a child participating in many sports. He had two brothers and a sister. Terry’s battle with cancer began when he was feeling pain in his right knee. He ignored it and kept playing sports but later on the pain was unbearable and he went to the hospital. He had a bone scan and some x-rays the results were not enjoyable to hear, Terry had bone cancer and his leg would have to be amputated as soon as possible. This would change his life forever and he would make history because of it. The night before his surgery Terry read an article about a one legged runner who ran the New York City Marathon. This inspired Terry’s dream and his goal that he would one day run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. After his surgery Terry was given a prosthesis limb with straps and gears. Terry began to train playing wheel chair basketball and he ran a mile and eventually a marathon to build up his endurance. Even though he finished last in the marathon he felt that he could run across Canada. At St. Johns Terry filled a jug of water from the Atlantic Ocean which he would pour in the Pacific when he finished his marathon. Terry ran an average of 26 miles a day which is the equivalent of a marathon for 143 days. Along the way people driving on the road were giving donations in the van following him. Unfortunately the cancer returned but this time it was in his lungs. He stopped running the marathon after running 3339 miles. He would return to running after he felt better and beaten the cancer. By 1981 Terry had raised 24 million dollars just as he dreamed he would. All of Canada was supporting him but on June 28 1981 Terry died, news of this must have shaken the whole country. “Hope is a quiet thing. It is about believing in a dream, no matter how long and hard the road may be. Hope is a young man running across Canada to help find a cure for a disease that had caused so much hurting. It is the echo of his footsteps pounding on a lonely stretch of highway just before dawn. Hope is the story of Terry Fox. Terry Fox was significant in Canadian history because he showed Canadians that anything can be done if you fight for it. Terry ran 26 miles a day for 143 days something that most people do once a year. He inspired Canadians across the country to help him and his Marathon of Hope so that he could help others with cancer. Raising 24 million dollars in a year he accomplished this and more. He ran two thirds across Canada on one leg and has inspired people then and now to help raise money for cancer research. He was lost but the memory of who he was and what he was trying to accomplish will always be remembered. In the 1970s Pierre Trudeau became the Prime Minister of Canada. He was a charismatic person who led Canada through a difficult time and was often the center of attention and controversy. One of his great accomplishments is establishing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms within Canada’s constitution. He was born on April 6, 1968 in Montreal to parents Charles and Grace. In Trudeau’s early career he was an associate professor of law at the University of Montreal. Although he did not agree with Pearson’s policies he was persuaded by his two friends to join the Liberal Party later on in his career. He was appointed as Minister of Justice on Pearson’s cabinet and he passed laws and laws that decriminalized homosexual acts between adults, the legalization of contraception, abortion, lotteries and gun ownership restrictions. Prime Minister Pearson stepped down from office and Trudeau was elected as leader of the Liberal Party. He called for an election for June 25th and his personal popularity was putting him in the lead from other parties. During the St. Jean-Baptiste Day parade in Montreal, Quebec separatists threw rocks at Trudeau. His aides urged him to leave but he stayed there and did not move. This was very influential in the election that he won the next day. Trudeau issued the War Measures Act in 1970 during the October Crisis after two politicians had been captured and one of them had been murdered. This gave police the right to arrest people without a trial and search a house or residence without a warrant. The six members of the FLQ who were responsible for these crimes were later captured after being flown to Cuba. Some thought that Trudeau was using to much force in this issue but most saw this as a necessary act for keeping the country together. Trudeau was also committed outrageous acts that some found humorous and others found offensive. He pirouetted behind the Queen he slid down banisters in Buckingham Palace and broke protocol by vacationing in Morocco instead of attending the Queen’s arrival and departure in Canada. These actions just increased his popularity among the people of Canada. Trudeau however lost the election of 1979 to Joe Clark who led the Progressive Conservatives but was later re-elected after Joe Clark’s government was in the House of Commons by a Motion of Non Confidence. In 1982 Trudeau created The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which is what left his mark on Canadian history. It was the final step in his vision of a Nationalist Canada. “Countries have always had leaders... some good, some not so good. Once in awhile, a country is lucky enough to have a great leader - someone who leaves his or her personal mark on history. Pierre Elliott Trudeau was such a leader. He cared about people’s rights and he believed in justice. He believed that people had the right to have more choices about who lead their lives (Sandra 5)”. Trudeau is significant in Canadian history because he wasn’t a normal politician who believed in common things. He wanted people to know that he was fighting for their rights and that French people are treated as fairly as English. Which is why he left his legacy behind in the form of the Canadian Charter of rights and Freedoms. He was popular among the people of Canada because he only though about how to offer Canadians choice in their lives. In the 1960s Lester Bowles Pearson became Canada’s 14th prime minister. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force that would resolve the Suez Canal Crisis. Various things that Pearson introduced to Canada during his reign as Prime Minister were things such as universal health care, student loans, Canada Pension Plan, the Order of Canada and the current Canadian Flag. He also created the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. He was the head of two consecutive minority governments. During Pearson’s early years he volunteered as a Medical Orderly for the University of Toronto. He later was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps but was discharged as a result of injuries from several accidents. In his early political career Pearson was appointed Minister of External Affairs by Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and he later won a seat in the House of Commons. He is highly recognized for his work in the United Nations and his solution to the Suez Canal Crisis. Many countries such as the US, Soviet Union, and Great Britain all had interests in the natural resources around the Suez Canal. Pearson organized the leaders of these countries and he was responsible for the building of the United Nations Security Council. He is considered the father of modern peacekeeping. After Laurent resigned Pearson became leader of the Liberal Party and was elected to be Prime Minister in 1963 during a general election. During this time he created many things that improved the living of all Canadians such as universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan and Canadian Student Loans. He improved the status of women, made bilingualism official and he made French an official language. Pearson was also responsible for the uniting of the three divisions of the Canadian Military, which were the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army into the Canadian Armed Forces. Lester B. Pearson is significant in Canadian history because he was responsible for cooling down the situation around the Suez Canal with the help of the UN which awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize. He improved Canadian living with his new policies that we still acknowledge today in our government. His accomplishments during his life are what makes him significant and one of the most influential Canadians in our history. In every decade starting from the 1950s Canadian people or events have truly made a difference and are significant in Canada’s history. The events and people that are significant in Canadian history are Canada joins the Korean War, the Gulf War, Terry Fox, Pierre Trudeau and Lester B. Pearson. These events and people show Canada`s contribution in their own country and in others around the world.