Canadian Arctic Sovereignty and Foreign Policy

National Interest and Foreign Policy

• National Interest: Countries prioritize policies benefiting themselves, potentially at the expense of others.
• Domestic Policy: Internal country policies.
• Foreign Policy: Relations and agreements with other nations.

Canadian Arctic Sovereignty

• Stephen Harper: Prime minister focusing on Arctic sovereignty.
• Economic Prosperity, Security, Safety, and Beliefs/Values are factors considered in Arctic policy.
• Examples include taxes, international trade agreements, and war.

Arctic Claims and Climate Change

• Canada claims rights over the Arctic Ocean.
• UN Law of the Sea: Nations have territorial rights 22.2 km from coast and 370 km beneath the seabed.
• Competing countries include the US, Russia, Norway, and Denmark.
• Challenges: Overlapping claims of territory.
• Climate impact: Melting ice facilitates the Northwest Passage, increasing strategic importance due to resources like oil and natural gas.

Canada's Military Response (2007)

• Russia's claims were criticized as insufficient to protect the Canadian North.
• Harper's initiatives included a deep-water port and Canadian Arctic Rangers to protect their border.

Long-Term Causes of World War I

• Timeframe: Began in July 1914.
• National interest pursuit led to negative consequences.
• Causes identified as Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.
• Militarism: Countries aimed for military superiority.
• Alliances: Systems of agreements among nations.
• Imperialism: Competition for empires.
• Nationalism: Extreme national pride.

Spark of World War I

• Self-Determination: Concept of nations determining their own statehood.
• Event: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, June 1914.
• Consequences of Balkan tensions: Ethnic minorities in Austria-Hungary sought independence.

Warfare and the Western Front

• Stalemate and Attrition: Trench warfare characterized WWI.
• Schlieffen Plan: Germany's strategic plan for quick victory over France.
• Battle of Verdun (1916): High casualties.
• Innovations: Chemical warfare introduction at Battle of Ypres.

Significant Canadian Contributions in World War I

• Major Battles: Vimy Ridge, where Canadian troops fought as a unified force.
• Halifax Explosion (1917): A significant wartime tragedy caused by an accidental explosion.
• Technological advancements: Introduction of new aircraft etc

Propaganda and World War Financing

• Rationing: Controls on resources.
• Propaganda: Influencing public opinion.
• War Measures Act (1914): Allowed for detainment of individuals deemed security risks.

Post-War Treaties and Consequences

• Treaty of Versailles (1919): Germany's responsibility for the war and reparations.
• Global Reactions: Discontent about the treaty's fairness.

Interwar Years and the Rise of Dictatorships

• Fascism in Italy: Mussolini's rise during post-war chaos.
• Stalin's USSR: Repression, forced economic policies.
• Germany: Hitler's rise fueled by economic instability and resentment.

World War II Overview

• Global Conflict Dynamics: Axis vs Allies, major events shifting power.
• D-Day (June 6, 1944): Crucial Allied offensive.
• Japan's Surrender: Followed atomic bombings.

Self-Determination and Independence Movements

• Post-WWII Independence: Growth of national identity and emerging successor states.
• Ongoing Conflicts: Tensions, especially regarding Kashmir.

Canadian Immigration Policy

• Need for Immigration: Addressing low birth rate, favoring skilled workers.
• Separate Refugee Policy: Addressing humanitarian needs distinct from immigration based on economic factors.