The Role Of Participants During The Vietnam War - 1121 Words

Many historians have been arguing the fact whether or not Canada played the role of bystanders or the role of participants during the Vietnam War. However, based on research, it is clear to conclude that during the Vietnam War, Canada did in fact play the role of participants though not explicitly because, it harboured thousands of refugees, it provided the U.S with supplies, and thousands of Canadians volunteered to help out in the war. First of all, Canada was responsible for harbouring tens of thousands of refugees, many of which were seeking safety from being conscripted or being killed due to violence of the war. As the Vietnam War progressed and got more intense, the American Government wanted more soldiers to go out and fight in†¦show more content†¦As Canada sent letters promising to give landed immigrant status to 14,000 South Vietnamese who were capable of escaping Vietnam, they also offered permanent resident status to the 4,000 Vietnamese that stayed in Canada who did not wish to return to Vietnam. (The Vietnam War: Canada s Role, Part Two: The Boat People, http://www.cbc.ca/radio/rewind/the-vietnam-war-canada-s-role-part-two-the-boat-people-1.3048026) Such support, resulted in Canada helping thousands of Vietnamese avoid death back in Vietnam. Moreover, after the Vietnam War ended on April 1975. Canada was responsible for accepting thousands of refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Between 1 975, and 1980, Canada accepted about 70,000 refugees 3,000 of which arrived in 1975 which increased to 9,000 by 1978, and finally accepting nearly 60,000 in just one year from 1979 to 1980. (The Vietnam War: Canada s Role, Part One, http://www.cbc.ca/radio/rewind/the-vietnam-war-canada-s-role-part-one-1.3038110) and (Thakur, 265). Canada constantly demonstrated some if not heavy involvement in the Vietnam War. Accepting refugees throughout the course of the war is not at all an easy task. A lot of money had to be spent to build homes for the refugees, provide them with clothes and food. Second of all, not only was Canada responsible for harbouring refugees, but it was also responsible for supplying the United States of America with goods