Canada…the BEST Place to Live! Canada was and still is almost certainly one of the best places to live, because of its diversity. Canada surpassed other countries during the 1990s in many different categories such as; Human Rights, Culture, Technology and most of all the influence of the Military/War. The power the military and war played in Canada being the best place to live was evident during the Vimy Ridge battle in WWI, D-Day in WWII and during the Suez Crisis of 1956 during the post war years. Because of the success Canadians achieved during these encounters, Canada was seen as the best place to live.
Vimy Ridge is an example of a battle were Canadians began to form an identity separate from that of France or Britain, liberating the country, which made it a great place to live. Before the Vimy Ridge battle, Canadians were fresh faced and rightfully under-estimated. Conversely, as soon as the battle commenced, Canadians earned a reputation for aggressive attack. The Germans were shocked at the aggression the Canadians were showing but were quick to realize that when a large number of Canadian troops all arrived at the same place, a battle would soon take place. This battle was arguably the first time in history that Canadians were seen as a threat. Leadership was also effectively portrayed during this battle due to the fact that it was the first total Canadian victory with Canadian troops fighting together under Canadian leadership. This was a crucial step in the growth of Canadian pride and nationalism. The Vimy Ridge battle was also a major and decisive victory in WWI, because neither the French nor Britain could capture the ridge and hold it. For the reason that Canada was the one to capture the ridge, it helped Canada grow a confidence and this made Canada one of the best places to live. A quote from the book “Vimy” by Pierre Berton, states, “As far as I could see, south, north, along the miles of the ridge, there were the Canadians. And I experienced my first full sense of nationhood.” Lieutenant Gregory Clark, M.C is the man that said this on November 13, 1967. The quote shows that Canadians were not shying away from war during this brutal battle. The battles of WWI, namely the Vimy Ridge battle, helped make Canada one of the best places to live because the battle was the first total Canadian victory lead by Canadians, Canadians were seen as a threat, and leadership was taking a positive new turn. However, a country must prove that they are a great nation by not only overcoming one battle, but in overcoming many. This is exactly what Canadians continued to do into the Second World War.
The combat that took place on June 6, 1944, known as “D-day”, was the long awaited invasion of Europe. This attack on Hitler and the Nazis helped made Canada one of the greatest places to live because the military planners had trusted Canada with the major role of being designated to Juno Beach. Allied forces were to land to begin the liberation of Europe from Germany on Juno Beach. This was a major deal because after the achievements from WWI, Canada was seen as an independent nation that could stand on its own two feet and handle important situations. Furthermore, D-day made Canada the best place to live because this battle consisted of the most Canadian casualties. Although it is clearly a horrible thing to have lost so many Canadian lives, it is a positive thing because it proves that that is how much Canada was dedicated to the war and how devoted the Canadian soldiers were. In W.A. B Douglas and Brereton Greenhous’s book, “Out of the Shadows- Canada in the Second World War”, it states “…Canada believed not in profiting from war but in pulling its full weight in the struggle to overthrow force that threatened the existence of basic human values.” The knowledge that Canada played an active role not only during D-day but all throughout WWII shows that Canada was growing to be a self-determining nation can be gleaned from this quote. Canada left the world impressed after the conclusion of WWII and continued to display their desire for world peace during the post war years.
The Suez Crisis of 1956 played a key role in making Canada the best place to live during the 1990’s because it was a Canadian that proposed a solution to the Suez Canal issue. Lester Pearson, who at the time was Canada’s secretary of state external affairs, presented a plan that entitled an end to all shooting. Also, Pearson’s proposal included the creation of a special United Nations peacekeeping force to keep an eye on invading forces and to patrol the border areas. The plan was immediately accepted and Canada provided the single most contribution by any nation, 800 soldiers. Lester Pearson was awarded with the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1957, for this resolution. This solution presented by Lester Pearson conclusively showed that Britain and France were no longer major world powers. It also somewhat portrayed to the world that Canada was capable of contributing to world peace. This made Canada an excellent place to live because it demonstrates the fact that Canada is no longer just a follower, it is a leader as well. In 1963, Pearson’s solution was recognized in Canada as a great act and he became Prime Minister of Canada. The three following statements made by Pearson give an insight of what a great Canadian leader he was he was; “Ignorance creates fear and fear is an enemy of peace. Hunger and poverty are a danger to peace. Human beings make great efforts to prepare for war, yet they prepare for peace very poorly.” Lester B. Pearson and his Nobel Prize winning solution to end the Suez Crisis was a key factor as to why Canada was the best place to live because Canadians were beginning to stand up and convey what they believed in, not only to Canada but also to the rest of the world.
Canada, the True North Strong and Free, was declared to be the best place to live during the 1990’s by the United Nations on account of its military/war encounters, such as: Vimy Ridge in the First World War, D-Day during WWII and the peace portrayed throughout the Suez Crisis during the post-war years. Vimy Ridge helped make Canada the best place to live because it was the first battle Canadians were generally seen as a serious nation. D- Day played a key role into developing the great country Canada is because Canada was finally trusted with playing massive roles in the Second World War. Finally, the Suez Crisis also contributed to Canada becoming the best place to live because Canada was beginning to be seen as an important and possibly powerful country. In conclusion, the impact and influence war and the Canadian military had on Canada made it one of, if not the best place to live during the 1990s and perhaps even today.