Arms race, space race and the Berlin Crisis, 1955-63 (S3.10) Flashcards
What was successfuly tested in March 1954?
USA successfully tested the first H-Bomb
> 1500x more powerful than the A-Bomb used in Hiroshima
What was successfully tested in 1955?
USSR successfuly tested the first airborne H-Bomb
What was the SAC (Strategic Air Command)?
Organisation set up to serve as a primary defence system for the USA
> By 1957, it had become an efficient force focused on bombers
> Responsible for the deployment and management of the USA’s nuclear arsenal.
What was the most important bomber in the USA and USSR’s respective fleets?
B-52 Stratofortress (USA)
Tu20 ‘Bear’ (USSR)
What were Eisenhower’s (and therefore the USA’s) aims in the arms race?
- Value for money (NSC 162/2); reliance upon nuclear weapons could significantly reduce military costs
- Hoped the prospect of “massive retaliation” would deter Soviet expansionism
> Coupled this theory with brinkmanship (“going to the brink of war without being scared”)
Were Eisenhower’s aims in the arms race successful?
- Failed to prevent Khrushchev’s crushing of the Hungarian Revolution (Oct-Nov 1956)
> Taiwan Straits Crises were solved with brinkmanship - Did encourage an increased reliance of nuclear weaponry
> However, did spiral out of control, and became ever-more costly
> Gave rise to the ‘military industrial complex’
What was the ‘military industrial complex’?
He warned (in Jan 1960) that the growing alliance between the military, government, and arms industry could lead to excessive military spending, unnecessary wars, and a threat to democracy.
> Under his presidency, U.S. military spending increased, particularly in response to the Soviet threat, but he feared that this expansion would become self-perpetuating, with arms manufacturers exerting too much influence over policy.
From 1958, what begins to increase in the arms race?
Spending
> Due to US supremacy of nuclear capability, the USSR duly respond; locks both powers in an expensive struggle
What were Khrushchev’s (and therefore the USSR’s) aims in the arms race?
- Reduce reliance of costly coventional forces
> Funds could be allocated towards consumer industries - Facilitate the fulfilment of ‘peaceful coexistence’ (otherwise peaceful competition)
Were Khrushchev’s aims in the arms race successful?
- Enabled for sweeping cuts to the Red Army’s budget
> 250,000 officers and NCOs were laid off from 1960-1961 - High-profile projects (i.e. Sputnik) were able to be funded, enhancing Soviet prestige in the developing world
- Khrushchev’s tendency to bluff only encouraged those in the West to strive for a greater nuclear arsenal
> USSR became locked into an arms race it could not afford; eventually contributed to its downfall
When was the atomic bomb introduced to the arsenal of the US and USSR?
USA = 1945 (Manhattan Project)
USSR = August 1949
When was the hydrogen bomb introduced to the arsenal of the US and USSR?
USA = 1952
USSR = 1953
When was the ICBM introduced to the arsenal of the US and USSR?
USA = 1958
USSR = 1957
When was the SLBM introduced to the arsenal of the US and USSR?
USA = 1960
USSR = 1962
What is an ICBM (Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile)?
Long-range missile designed to carry nuclear warheads over vast distance
> They are launched into space before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere to strike their target.
> Can cross continents, hence the name.
What is a SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile)?
A Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) is a ballistic missile fired from a submarine, typically carrying nuclear warheads.
> It serves as a key component of a country’s nuclear deterrent, providing a second-strike capability in case of a nuclear attack.
> Much harder to detect.
What happened in November 1957?
Gaither Report
What was the Gaither Report?
Secret U.S. government study assessing the Soviet nuclear threat and U.S. defence capabilities.
> Warned of a growing “missile gap”, suggesting the USSR was advancing in ICBM technology and could soon surpass the U.S. (predicted a 100-30 gap)
> The report urged massive increases in defence spending, including more nuclear weapons, early warning systems, and civil defence measures.
What was Eisenhower’s response to the Gaither Report?
Downplayed its alarmist conclusions, believing the U.S. was not as vulnerable as suggested.
> Despite this, the report fuelled Cold War tensions, influencing later policies and intensifying the arms race and space race.
What type of surveillance began taking place in the 1950s?
U-2 spy plane flights
> Unauthorised reconnaissance flights used modified B-29 bombers
> At least until 1961, it was able to fly out of range from radar and missile attacks
> Provided very accurate data of what was on the ground
By 1962, what was the missile gap in terms of SLBM’s?
USA = 145
USSR = 45
By 1964, what was the missile gap in terms of ICBM’s?
USA = 835
USSR = 200
When did the space race begin, and what purposes did they serve?
July 1955
- Enhanced prestige
- Enhanced military / nuclear capability
> Seen as necessary for national security and ideological superiority
What was launched on the 4th October 1957?
Sputnik
