Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
Connections with other Nations
Read the following and then complete the chart:
Trade
Canada likes to trade with other countries. We buy products from other countries and
sell products to other countries. When Canada brings in a product from another country
it is called an import. When Canada sells a product to another country it is called an
export. Why does Canada trade with other countries? Canada imports products usually
because another country has something we want. For example tropical fruit cannot be
grown in Canada so we buy it from countries that can grow it. Also, Canada exports
products usually because we have an excess amount of it and other countries want it.
For example Canada has lots of trees so we export lumber to other countries. Trade is
one example of how Canada is connected to other countries.
Communication
With improved technology Canada is able to communicate faster and more easily with
other countries. Devices we use to communicate include the internet, computers,
phones, TV, radio, etc. Before if you wanted to communicate with someone far away
you had to write a letter and it would travel across the ocean by boat. This would take
months before the person would be able to read it. Now we can communicate with
people overseas instantly. Communication is another example of how Canada is
connected to other countries.
Sports
Sporting events bring people together. You have athletes competing and fans cheering
them on. Sporting events at the international level strengthen our connection to other
countries. Athletes are proud to be representing their countries. Citizens are proud to
cheer on their athletes. The Olympics is a good example of such a sporting event.
Healthy competition brings countries of the world together to celebrate the
achievements of the athletes.
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Property of Portage la Prairie School Division
Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
Entertainment
Similar to sporting events, International Entertainment events can also bring countries
of the world together. In 1985 there was a famine in Ethiopia Africa because of drought
and people were starving. Famous musicians decided to have a concert to raise money
and awareness. The concert was called Live Aid. This is a good example of how
entertainers can come together and make a difference. Entertainment is also about
celebrating different cultures. Folklarama is a festival held in Winnipeg every summer.
You can go and watch performances of various cultures with different music, food, and
dancing. Folklarama is a good example of celebrating arts and culture of various
countries.
Transportation
Improved transportation has increased our ability to connect with other countries too.
Now you can go anywhere in the world. You also have many different options to travel
such as cars, trains, planes, boats, etc. You can also travel faster now. Faster and more
easily accessible transportation increases Canada’s connections with other countries.
Science
The science community brings countries of the world together. Countries like to share
their scientific achievement. International conferences is where scientists can come
together to share their knowledge. By sharing knowledge all countries benefit. Some
examples include technological advancements in computers, health research finding
cures to diseases, space exploration, etc. Science is another way we are connected.
Environment
Climate change is a worldwide concern. All countries share the same air and water. If
one country pollutes neighbouring countries suffer which is why all countries must take
responsibility to take care of the planet. There are international environmental
initiatives and programs in place so all countries can work together. The environment is
another way Canada is connected to other countries.
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Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
Complete the Chart
Summarize the topic
Give an example
Trade
Communication
Sports
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Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
Entertainment
Transportation
Science
Environment
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Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
International Organizations – use the internet to complete the chart
Logo
About the Organization
Canadian International Development Agency Established in 1968
Canada’s lead agency for development assistance. Three priorities
include: increasing food security, securing the future of children and
youth, stimulating sustainable economic growth. Mission: Lead
Canada’s international effort to help people living in poverty.
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Property of Portage la Prairie School Division
Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
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Property of Portage la Prairie School Division
Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
Create your own International Organization
Focus:
 Peacekeeping
 Aid (Natural Disasters)
 Development (Rebuilding)
 Food and Water
 Poverty (Housing)
 Education (Schools)
 Environment
 Health Care (AIDS)
 Animals (Habitats)
 Children
 Workplace
 Other
Name:
________________________________________________________________________
Mission Statement:
________________________________________________________________________
Logo:
Plan for Action:
How are you going to make a difference!
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Property of Portage la Prairie School Division
Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
War and Conflict
Canada’s participation in war and conflict has been and still is to maintain and restore peace.
World War I was the first major war against the most powerful countries of the world. Canada
fought to help defend Britain. The League of Nations was an international organization created
to try and prevent future wars. The League of Nations failed as a result of World War II. Canada
fought in WWII to help defend Britain and to stop Hitler and Germany from taking over the
world. The United Nations was a second international organization created to prevent future
wars. So far the United Nations has been succesful. After WWII the Cold War broke out between
the United States and Russia. The reason it was called the Cold War is because no open war took
place between either country. There was still threats of nuclear warfare and missile attacks.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was created in response to the Cold War. Canada and
some European countries joined together to help defend the United States to form collective
security. An attack on one NATO country is considered an attack on all NATO countries. This way
countries are less likely to declare war against a NATO member. The Cold War ended in 1991
when Communism fell in Russia. Even though the Cold War was over, NATO stayed intact to
help defend against future conflicts. September 11th 2001 the terrorist group Al Qaeda attacked
the United States by hijacking two airplanes and crashing them into the World Trade Center in
New York. The terrorist group Al Qaeda was located in Afghanistan and their leader was Osama
Bin Laden. Afghanistan had been overrun by the Al Qaeda. Their government, army, and police
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Property of Portage la Prairie School Division
Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
force were having trouble keeping them under control. The United States wanted to go into
Afghanistan to stop Al Qaeda so they asked for NATO’s support . NATO went to Afghanistan on a
ten year long mission to help the country re-establish itself. In the end the United States Army
found and killed Osama Bin Laden in an attempt to weaken the terrorist group.
Questions
1. When did World War I take place and why did Canada fight in it?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What organization was created after WWI and was it successful?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. When did World War II take place and why did Canada fight in it?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What organization was created after WWII and was it successful?
______________________________________________________________________________
5. When did the Cold War take place and why was it called the Cold War?
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What organization was created as a result of the Cold War and who was part of it?
______________________________________________________________________________
7. What does Collective Security mean?
______________________________________________________________________________
8. What major event happened September 11th 2001?
______________________________________________________________________________
9. Who was the leader of Al Qaeda and where were they located?
______________________________________________________________________________
10. Why did the United States want to go to Afghanistan and who did they ask for support?
______________________________________________________________________________
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Grade 9 Social Studies – Cluster 3
What does the future hold for war and conflict? The United Nations is an international
organization where countries of the world come together to settle disputes. The North Atlantic
Treaty Organization is there for collective security. Canada continues to maintain their military
incase they are needed.
Your Opinion
1. Do you think it was good that we went into Afghanistan? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you think we need to put more money into our Canadian Military? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you think Canadians appreciate the efforts of War Veterans? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you appreciate the efforts of War Veterans? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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