This document is a summary of "The Impacts of the Arms Race on the Cold War" to help revise for the 'Component 4' (CIE History 9389) examination this June. These notes are specifically made for 'Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389' (Depth study 3: International History, )
The Impact of the Arms Race on the Cold War
(Depth Study 3: International History, 1945-1991)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
Arrival of nukes + Hiroshima bombing crucial impact on CW as:
- Started arms race between major powers, maintained hostility.
- Caused powers rethink strategy + ways conflicts handled.
- Put economic strain on US + USSR
KEY JARGON
A-bomb: nuke launched by missile/plane
H-bomb: thermonuclear bomb more powerful than A-bomb
Strategic bombers: planes capable carrying nukes
ICBM: range 3000 nautical miles carry nuke warheads
SLBM: Submarine launched ballistics
ABM: Used intercept incoming missiles
MIRV: allows several warheads used guided different target.
How did nuke arms race develop during CW?
Nuking Hiroshima + Nagasaki by Truman cause of arms race.
US saw nukes necessary defend from larger USSR. Soviets developed nuke 1949. Arms Race
begun. USA hydrogen bomb 1952 + USSR 1953.
1950s ICBM developed. Missile gap problem for US after sputnik launched. U2 spy plane by
Eisenhower showed no gap. US built more ICBMs. Pressured USSR respond having less
nukes. 1968 USSR had ABMs. US built MIRVs and USSR as well 1975.
, Timeline arms race
First Second
1945- US A-bomb
1949- USSR A-bomb
1952- US H-bomb
1953- USSR H-bomb
1957-USSR ICBM
1957-USSR Sputnik
1958-USSR warning radar
1958- US ICBM
1958- US satellite
1960- US warning system
1960- US SLBM
1968- USSR SLBM
1968- USSR ABM
1970- US MIRV
1971- USSR Sea Cruise Missile
1972- US ABM
1975- USSR MIRV
1982- US Sea Cruise Missile
Why was arms race so intense during CW?
Stockpiling nukes necessary by US + USSR safeguard interests. Constant advances in tech
made each side vulnerable. Secrecy + need to stay ahead or catch up fuelled arms race.
Until 1980s both sides developed.
What strategies developed for use of nukes?
Both sides had many nukes yet couldn't use. Military's purpose now to avert wars as ‘MAD’.
Total war victory no longer possible.
US + USSR leaders saw danger of nukes. Stalin said nukes can't be used without ending the
world. Following H-bomb test Eisenhower said it end civilisation. Khrushchev pushed
‘Peaceful co-existence’ policy. Leaders still had strategies.
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