GenSeneca
Well-Known Member
Canada has a rich history and central to their success as a nation is their steadfast alliance with America.
Lets start from where Canada established its modern Military Industrial Complex (composed of a nation's armed forces, its suppliers of weapons systems, supplies and services, and its civil government) and began to join America in defending foreign nations against outside aggression:
World War One: 1915-1918
After sharing in the victory of WW1, Canada was also left to share in the economic collapse of the Great Depression. It would take another World War to drag Canada out of the economic doldrums so when Hitler invaded Poland in September of 1939, Canada took just 9 days to declare war on Germany once again.
By now, officially declaring war was out of vogue - even in Canada - so when war broke out in Korea, Canada limped in at the beginning but eventually established themselves as Deputy to America's role as the worlds policeman.
Together, Canada and the Unites States created NORAD in 1958: The North American Aerospace Defense Command has always been a joint venture with a mix of Americans and Canadians at the helm to protect the North American mainland. Canada had aspirations of becoming an even bigger player on the International stage, so shortly after the establishment of NORAD, they consolidated their military strength to create the Canadian military as it exists today.
Canada even had the distinction of being the first of the coalition nations to have a warship reach harbor in Kuwait. The Canadians did very well for themselves in participating with the Liberation of Kuwait and still to this day have a vibrant Canadian Community living in the country.
About ten years later, in 2001, Canada was ready to defend the honor of those murdered on Sept. 11. Canada joined America in the invasion of Afghanistan and can even be credited as being the second largest supplier of troops and material in the battle.
Today, Canada's military spending exceeds even that of their Cold War levels, making it 6th in Military spending world wide, while America still falls far below our previous Cold War levels of military spending... But thats just one of the many complaints Canadians have about their governments decision to participate in warfare, covert support of America's Global War on Terror tops the list.
So again, publicly, Canada refuses support for America's invasion of Iraq but secretly does more for America than any of the "official" 46 coalition nations taking part in the invasion:
Just to pick an example... Number 7 from that list deals with Depleted Uranium, a primary ingredient in armor plating and AP munitions because of its properties. The Canadians have one of the largest enrichment programs in the world and the United States recently helped procure some of this valuable resource.
Canada, you've had this coming for a long time: Thanks for your support!
Lets start from where Canada established its modern Military Industrial Complex (composed of a nation's armed forces, its suppliers of weapons systems, supplies and services, and its civil government) and began to join America in defending foreign nations against outside aggression:
World War One: 1915-1918
Without having been attacked, Canada declared war on Germany and joined the allies in the war to end all wars. The Canadian economy boomed while the nation was mobilized for war and, thanks to the close financial and economic ties to allies like the United States, Canada became a nation capable of projecting its power across the globe.
After sharing in the victory of WW1, Canada was also left to share in the economic collapse of the Great Depression. It would take another World War to drag Canada out of the economic doldrums so when Hitler invaded Poland in September of 1939, Canada took just 9 days to declare war on Germany once again.
Once again emerging victorious, Canada set about looking for new ways to expand their position in the world and became a major player in the role of America's MIC. Indeed, what was good for America, was good for Canada, and the two neighbors set about working together during the Cold War.
By now, officially declaring war was out of vogue - even in Canada - so when war broke out in Korea, Canada limped in at the beginning but eventually established themselves as Deputy to America's role as the worlds policeman.
Canada's involvement in Korea ended by 1955 but their interdependence with America was rapidly taking shape. In every war America had been in, Canada fought along side the US on the ground, served a major role in logistics on the sea and in the air, and the Military Industrial Complex of both countries began to merge.
Together, Canada and the Unites States created NORAD in 1958: The North American Aerospace Defense Command has always been a joint venture with a mix of Americans and Canadians at the helm to protect the North American mainland. Canada had aspirations of becoming an even bigger player on the International stage, so shortly after the establishment of NORAD, they consolidated their military strength to create the Canadian military as it exists today.
True to their word, Canada has became a world leader in Military Organization and enjoyed many benefits as a result. With shared economic, strategic and military interests around the globe, Canada was proud to become one of 34 nations to participate in the 1991 Gulf War.
Canada even had the distinction of being the first of the coalition nations to have a warship reach harbor in Kuwait. The Canadians did very well for themselves in participating with the Liberation of Kuwait and still to this day have a vibrant Canadian Community living in the country.
About ten years later, in 2001, Canada was ready to defend the honor of those murdered on Sept. 11. Canada joined America in the invasion of Afghanistan and can even be credited as being the second largest supplier of troops and material in the battle.
Thats quite an accomplishment for Canada and they managed to pull this off despite widespread Domestic opposition to the war. Nevertheless, Canada has remained steadfast in their commitment to Afghanistan and has extended their promise of support:
Even the Liberals support continued presence in the Middle Eastern country of Afghanistan. Canada's role in Afghanistan has always been great news for the United States since we began our fight in Iraq. Now while Canada didn't publicly support America's invasion of Iraq, their continued assistance in Afghanistan has freed up American troops for the battle... and the Canadians did everything they could behind the scenes to support America's invasion.
Today, Canada's military spending exceeds even that of their Cold War levels, making it 6th in Military spending world wide, while America still falls far below our previous Cold War levels of military spending... But thats just one of the many complaints Canadians have about their governments decision to participate in warfare, covert support of America's Global War on Terror tops the list.
So again, publicly, Canada refuses support for America's invasion of Iraq but secretly does more for America than any of the "official" 46 coalition nations taking part in the invasion:
Like here in America, Politicians in Canada say one thing to satisfy the public and then do the opposite once in power. Canadians were quick to catch on and complain....
Just to pick an example... Number 7 from that list deals with Depleted Uranium, a primary ingredient in armor plating and AP munitions because of its properties. The Canadians have one of the largest enrichment programs in the world and the United States recently helped procure some of this valuable resource.
Perhaps this was a small thanks to our Canadian brothers for their tireless role in the American invasion of Iraq.
Well, they say that publicly anyway...
Canada is America's number one supplier of DU for use in our munitions, so providing them with 550 metric tons of uranium will help Canadians make some extra cash by selling the refined waste back to America for our weapons platforms. Indeed America's MIC is not entirely American... We would have a tough time pursuing our Global War on Terror without their assistance in many fields.
Canada, you've had this coming for a long time: Thanks for your support!
