Canada in Focus: War & Peace - Canada's History

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Canadians are polite, reserved, and say sorry … A lot. We certainly don’t start wars — we try to prevent them. After all, Canada is a nation of peacekeepers… Right?

Well, yes… and no. Actually, it’s complicated.

While Canada has taken part in many peacekeeping missions over the decades, this land also has a long history of conflict that stretches back millennia.

In this episode of Canada in Focus, host Jodi Kristjanson summarizes the wars, rebellions, and resistances that took place on Canadian soil, the wars fought on behalf of other nations, and Canada’s role in creating the concept of peacekeeping.

Watch the series

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About the series

History provides a much-needed context for understanding current topics and conversations in today’s society. It helps us understand notions of change, impact, and progress and provides us with tools for interpreting the world around us. In an era of misinformation and increasing divisiveness, history is needed more than ever for encouraging deep thinking and respectful dialogue.

Canada in Focus is a five-part video series that seeks to explain the historical context of current Canadian topics and issues by tracing a current topic back through history, highlighting key events and turning points.

Each video is accompanied by related support material (see below), including teachers’ manuals and strategies, so viewers can engage with the content more deeply.