VIETNAM WAR – 1960’S
A TIME OF PROTEST
Canada did not fight in the Vietnam
War and diplomatically it was
"officially non-belligerent". The
country's troop deployments to
Vietnam were limited to a small
number of national forces in 1973
to help enforce the Paris Peace
Accords. Nevertheless, the war had
considerable effects on Canada,
while Canada and Canadians
affected the war, in return.
Draft dodgers
Estimates vary greatly as to how many Americans settled in Canada for the
specific reason of dodging the draft or "evading conscription," as opposed to
desertion, or other reasons. Canadian immigration statistics show that 20,000 to
30,000 draft-eligible American men came to Canada as immigrants during the
Vietnam era.
"Starting in 1965, Canada became a choice haven for American draft resisters and
deserters, ...Although some of these transplanted Americans returned home after
the Vietnam War, most of them put down roots in Canada, making up the largest,
best-educated group this country had ever received."
In counter-current to the movement American draft-dodgers and deserters to
Canada, about 30,000 Canadians volunteered to fight in southeast Asia. Among
the volunteers were fifty Mohawks from the Kahnawake reserve near Montreal.
One-hundred and ten (110) Canadians died in Vietnam, and seven remain listed as
Missing in Action. Canadian Peter C. Lemon was awarded the U.S. Medal of
Honor for his valour in the conflict.
THE RED SCARE – CANADA SEARCHES FOR COMMUNISTS DURING
THE HEIGHT OF COLD WAR TENSIONS
At the height of the Cold War, Canada joined its southern neighbour in an effort to
unearth homegrown communists, real or imagined.
Communism was a dirty word in Canada and the western world after the Second
World War. The common view was that communists were planning to overthrow
democracy. Therefore anyone with communist leanings, or even progressive
opinions should be under suspicion.
"Everywhere are evidences of the continuous underground, cancerous movements
of Communism ... Only eternal vigilance can protect us against Communism and
its infiltration into our way of life."
On the whole Canada proceeded forcefully but more discreetly that the Americans.
Ottawa set up a sweeping system of security checks. In one year alone, 70,000
checks were done. The RCMP quietly investigated civil servants, scientists,
university professors, and trade unionists, seeking out political or sexual
nonconformity.
THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION IN CANADA 1960’s
Attitudes about sex and sexuality began to change in the 1960’s for a number of
reasons. Before we look at the drastic change one should understand what they
attitudes were during the 1950’s and earlier.
During this time period attitudes were as follows:
 The family was close and family time was important and divorce was not
accepted
 Males and females dated to select a partner for marriage
 Women were expected to remain virgins until marriage
 40% of women in Canada were married by the age of 22.
 Homosexuality was illegal
The main reasons for these attitudes in the 1950’s and earlier were:
 The generation was worried about becoming pregnant
 The generation also feared sexually transmitted diseases and infections
 This generation also worried that they would be like their parents and follow
all of their same patterns
The reason why so many young women abstained from having sex was their fear
of becoming pregnant. If women became pregnant before they were married they
would be ostracized.
During the 1960’s changes occurred to alter the attitudes in society. Four of the
main reasons for this change was:
The Baby Boom- born between 1946-1962. Like every other generation the
younger generation did not want to be like their parents. Since there were so many
of them they could make drastic changes. Among the number of attitudes they
went against the attitudes towards sex and sexuality.
Medicine- Treatments for STD’s eliminated fear of contracting one.
THE PILL- Was created by George Pincus and was available and used to help with
menstrual pain in 1959. By the mid 60’s it was being used as birth control. This
lead to young women not fearing pregnancy. It was not available in Canada until
10 days later.
The Women’s Movement- Began in the 1960’s when women began to challenge
for equality. The social norm that premarital sex was inappropriate changed. The
movement also challenged other sexual taboos.
Results of the “Sexual Revolution”:
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Divorce rates doubled from the beginning of the 1960’s
When polled 39% of unmarried women were having sex by the age of 23.
Homosexuality began to appear in the mainstream.
Dating was no longer to find a life partner it was a means of sexual activity.
The norms of the family changed.
“Sex sells” Used sex to sell products.
HIPPIES
Flowers and free love. Antiwar marches and acid tests. In the mid to late 1960s,
youth across North America and Europe began to "turn on, tune in and drop out."
Fed up with the establishment — parents, schools, police — they went looking for
a new way of life. To Toronto's Yorkville and Vancouver's Kitsilano district they
came, preaching peace, love and non-conformity.
They were characterized by long hair, beards and unconventional clothing, by their
celebration of drugs and rock 'n roll, by their affinity to non-Occidental religions
and the cultivation of "self-awareness," by sexual experimentation, by their
language ("flower power").