Britain's Nuclear Deterrent

Question 1

Britain’s A and H Bomb

Answer 1

• Atlee’s Labour government committed to developing an independent nuclear deterrent
• Nuclear weapons were seen as essential for a country to hold ‘great power status’
• A Bomb: created under Churchill’s gov
• First tested in 1952 on the Australian coast
• Britain became the third country to develop nuclear weapons
• H Bomb: tested in 1957, destructive capacity was 5x greater than the A Bomb

Question 2

Britain’s “V Bombers”

Answer 2

• “V Bombers”: Bomber Command Main Force
• Were the RAF aircraft during the 1950s and 60s
• Compromised the UK’s nuclear strike before the development of Polaris Nuclear Submarines
• 3 models of strategic bombers:
  Vicker’s Valiant-> first flew in 1951, in service 1955
  Avro Vulcan-> first flew in 1952, in service 1956
  Handley Page Victor-> first flew 1952, in service 1957
• “V Bomber” force reached its peak in June 1964

Question 3

Britain’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent
(CASD)

Answer 3

• In event of a nuclear war there were always a minimum of 4 ballistic nuclear submarines in service with the Royal Navy
• This was to ensure Britain had a credible nuclear deterrent that could deliver M.A.D
• One would always be hidden away at sea on patrol with missiles ready to be launched
• The other to support the vessel on patrol
• Another sub would always be engaged in training to be on patrol or stand-by in port
• One sub would always be in port for maintenance and upgrades

Question 4

CND and the Aldermaston Marches
(1958-1959)

Answer 4

• Campaigns over nuclear developments led to the formation of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) - 1958
• CND became the most powerful pressure group in Britain
• Backed by many intellectuals and mobilising m/c supporters
• First march was the weapons research base at Aldermaston, Berkshire, around 8,000
• Second march in Aldermaston, 1959, was even bigger

Question 5

Labour Splits on Nuclear Deterrent

Answer 5

• Labour has different opinions on the topic of nuclear disarmament causing a major split
• Right-Wing Gaitskellites: wanted multilateral disarmament
• Left-Wing Bevanites: wanted unilateral disarmament