It would be an indirect battle between the Communist powers and Democratic powers. Pearson went to the United Nations General Assembly and proposed to have the UN send a peacekeeping force, whose mission it would be to insure an immediate end to hostilities and promote a ceasefire (Bowering, George. Egotists & Autocrats, The Prime Ministers of Canada. Toronto: Penguin Group, 1999. Pg. 318). His background in history and experience as a diplomat, allowed him to see the bigger picture. The bigger picture was, "French and English and the Israelis could not hold onto the Suez Canal without getting into a deep war that would spread throughout Egypt and probably across its borders. He knew that a war here would crack NATO and the Commonwealth" (Donaldson, Gordon. The Prime Minister of Canada. Canada: Doubleday Canada Ltd., 1994. Pg. 370). This ability to recognize the greater picture allowed for Pearson to end a very possible "sparking" to the Cold War. If all the countries involved had followed all their treaties and promises, it could have very well been the domino affect that was World War I. Pearson clearly was the influential figure that steered the world clear of another disaster. Through his actions at the Suez, he also clearly showed the world how Canada has become detached from the Commonwealth. Canada was not quick to stand beside Britain, nor did she even take the same side as her. This showed that not only were we now separate nations, that we also have influence; influence that reaches beyond our borders. .
Pearson was praised as a hero of the UN. He was able to convince the General Assembly to support him with a unanimous vote 57 - 0 (Bowering, 370). This display of leadership and willingness to promote peace won Pearson the Nobel Peace Prize. The committee was quoted as saying, "he [Pearson] saved the world". In an international point of view, "Mike" was praised for what he did.
