Who is credited with starting the Red Scare in 1945 in Ottawa, Canada?

Who is credited with starting the Red Scare in 1945 in Ottawa, Canada?

• A. Igor Gouzenko
• B. William Lyon Mackenzie King
• C. Louis St. Laurent
• D. John Diefenbaker

Answer: (A)

Igor Gouzenko is credited with starting the Red Scare in 1945 in Ottawa, Canada, primarily due to his defection from the Soviet embassy. Gouzenko, a cipher clerk, revealed extensive information about Soviet espionage activities in Canada and the West. His disclosures included details about communist infiltration and plots that spurred fears regarding espionage and the influence of communism, leading to heightened public concern and governmental responses. This event marked a significant turning point in Canadian domestic politics and foreign policy as it contributed to the broader atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia associated with the Cold War. Gouzenko's actions not only affected Canadian society but also influenced relations between Canada, the United States, and the Soviet Union, making his role pivotal in the emergence of the Red Scare during this period.

Igor Gouzenko is credited with starting the Red Scare in 1945 in Ottawa, Canada, primarily due to his defection from the Soviet embassy. Gouzenko, a cipher clerk, revealed extensive information about Soviet espionage activities in Canada and the West. His disclosures included details about communist infiltration and plots that spurred fears regarding espionage and the influence of communism, leading to heightened public concern and governmental responses.

This event marked a significant turning point in Canadian domestic politics and foreign policy as it contributed to the broader atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia associated with the Cold War. Gouzenko's actions not only affected Canadian society but also influenced relations between Canada, the United States, and the Soviet Union, making his role pivotal in the emergence of the Red Scare during this period.