how many wars did canada enter during the 20th century? (theater, live)
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Boer War
WW1 & WW2
Spanish Civil War
Cold War
Korea
Vietnam
Gulf War
Afganistan
A whole wack of peace keeping
So, pretty much anywhere America has fought, we've fought as well.
Except Iraq, and the US certainly wasn't involved in the Boer War. On Canada's involvement in Vietnam; I'd classify it as a peacekeeping gig since we were officially a non-belligerent and the Canadian military was only involved with the deployment of 240 peacekeeping troops who were there to monitor the Paris Peace Accords ceasefire at the end of the conflict. They weren't fighting forces. If you are referring to the 30,000 Canadians who volunteered to join the US military, that ought not count since "Canada" and our military were not the ones involved, only private citizens fighting under a foreign flag. The same is true of the Spanish Civil War, which was full of Canadian volunteers but was not a conflict that taxpayer dollars or the legal entity known as Canada was involved with. My list would like this:
The Second Boer War
First World War
Second Word War
Korean War
Gulf War
Bosnia
Afghanistan
Libya
Various international peacekeeping operations starting from the 1956 Suez crisis when future Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson came up with the practice.
In the end I guess it depends on what you mean by "Canada" and "War". There's the wikipedia article on Canada's military history here, depending on the definition you can say we were involved in many wars many wouldn't think to consider as important Canadian military conflicts, like the recent war in Mali where we didn't really have boots on the ground.
Except Iraq, and the US certainly wasn't involved in the Boer War. On Canada's involvement in Vietnam; I'd classify it as a peacekeeping gig since we were officially a non-belligerent and the Canadian military was only involved with the deployment of 240 peacekeeping troops who were there to monitor the Paris Peace Accords ceasefire at the end of the conflict. They weren't fighting forces. If you are referring to the 30,000 Canadians who volunteered to join the US military, that ought not count since "Canada" and our military were not the ones involved, only private citizens fighting under a foreign flag. The same is true of the Spanish Civil War, which was full of Canadian volunteers but was not a conflict that taxpayer dollars or the legal entity known as Canada was involved with. My list would like this:
We had all of 30 soldiers there. They were seconded to US forces. I had the privilege of meeting these soldiers on their return to Canada in about 2002. Hell, I bought them drinks in Halfiax.
Quote:
On Canada's involvement in Vietnam
Despite what our American friends will tell you, Vietnam was a UN mission. Canada did not take part. Australia did. Nevertheless, many Canadians fought in the Vietnam War. They signed up with US forces: army, navy, air force, marines. They needed jobs, Canada had none, the US needed people ... so?
I have been proud to plant a Canadian flag at the Vietnam memorial in Washington DC, in memory of our boys. Hell, my real name happens to be the exact same as one of the boys on the Wall. He was from Illinois. I have lain flowers and an American flag for my namesake. I never met him, but he was no doubt a good American, from Illinois. But he has the same exact name that I do. I cannot forget my surprise at seeing his name on the Wall--it was the same as mine! I want to remember him, and make sure that he is not forgotten.
Quote:
I'd classify it as a peacekeeping gig since we were officially a non-belligerent and the Canadian military was only involved with the deployment of 240 peacekeeping troops who were there to monitor the Paris Peace Accords ceasefire at the end of the conflict. They weren't fighting forces....
Seriously? A good friend of mine was one of those 240. He was a fighter. He shot. He killed. Otherwise, he would have been killed. He hates it. I only get him to talk about it after about 12 beers. And even then, he cries. My good friend, a big mountain of a man, cries at the lives he took with his rifle on that mission. My dear friend....
Vimy Day was on April 9 btw.... to me, it holds especial significance. That being said, this documentary aired last night about a little known but highly significant battle of a small group of Canadians in the Korean War. I unfortunately missed it but will be trying to get to see it anyways....
As for my personal feelings, I believe the last "war" we "fought" was the Korean War, since then I would describe the other experiences up till now as peacekeeping which has often turned into violent fights and the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers' lives.
As far as my understanding through the years, all has been voluntary except for a very brief experience with conscription later in one of the world wars which was not well received and was abandoned quite quickly.
Vimy Day was on April 9 btw.... to me, it holds especial significance. That being said, this documentary aired last night about a little known but highly significant battle of a small group of Canadians in the Korean War. I unfortunately missed it but will be trying to get to see it anyways....
As for my personal feelings, I believe the last "war" we "fought" was the Korean War, since then I would describe the other experiences up till now as peacekeeping which has often turned into violent fights and the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers' lives.
As far as my understanding through the years, all has been voluntary except for a very brief experience with conscription later in one of the world wars which was not well received and was abandoned quite quickly.
Wow, you are really out of touch!! You should read up more about this before you post.
WWII - Canadians declared war one week after the British and years prior to US involvement in the European theater. By the war's end, over 1.6 million citizens would serve in military uniform (out of a prewar population of 11 million) and I think that is amazing!!
Commonwealth of Nations and NATO - Canada has boots on the ground and air support roles as part of their obligations as members of these organizations. Kandahar, Afghanistan for example.
Iraq, Syria - Our fighters were running bombing raids in the Middle East until recently.There were 30 raids by Canadian warplanes in July and 20 raids in each of May and June. The only time Canada conducted fewer missions this year was in February, when only nine strikes were recorded.
WWII - Canadians declared war one week after the British and years prior to US involvement in the European theater. By the war's end, over 1.6 million citizens would serve in military uniform (out of a prewar population of 11 million) and I think that is amazing!!
I seem to have read that while there was indeed a draft, service overseas was voluntary. This was in large part because of resistance from Quebec MPs within King's Liberral caucus and cognizance of the resistance to a draft in Quebec, given the experience during WWI (riots against the draft). Yes, many Canadians served and many served overseas.
You're gonna love this; but those who were overseas and stipulated as draftees or conscripts were referred to by their volunteer counterparts as "zombies".
Yes; even way back in WWII, that word was popularly used to describe someone not acting of their own volition..
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Vietnam War
