Chapter 10 - Cold War Rivalries 1955-63 Flashcards
1
Q
How did the nuclear arms race start?
A
- USSR succeeded in testing nuclear technology
- March 1945 = USA successfully tested lithium-based H bomb
- By Sep = USSR had similar tech
- By 1955 = USSR had tested airborne H-bomb x100 more powerful than 1st attempts
- By 1948 = US created Strategic Air Command
2
Q
What was the Strategic Air Command?
A
- US organisation, created by 1948
- Headed by General Curtis LeMay
- Provided 24-hour readiness to external nuclear threat
- Responsible for deployment and management of US nuclear force
3
Q
What did the Gaither Report suggest?
A
- Presented concept of missile gap between USA and USSR
- Predicted 100 to 30 lead in ICBMs in favour of USSR
- Suggested USA becoming a second-class power
4
Q
Why was the Gaither Report commissioned?
A
- Commissioned by Eisenhower in Nov 1957
- To investigate state of US-Soviet nuclear capability
- Popular view Soviets were catching up with USA
- Evidence = USSR successfully tested first ICBM in 1957
5
Q
What was the significance of the Bermuda Conference?
A
- 1957 = Eisenhower and Britain
- Reached agreement enabling USA to station IRBMs in Britain, manned by British personel
- Similar agreement reached with NATO in Dec 1957
6
Q
What US nuclear developments occurred in 1959?
A
- Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles
- The Thor
- The Minuteman (ICBM) systems
7
Q
What were Soviet victories in the space race?
A
- October 1957 = Launched Sputnik (first satellite)
- Nov 1957 = Laika launched into 10-day orbit in Sputnik II
- Oct 1959 = Launched first satellite to successfully orbit moon
- Yuri Gagarin = first Soviet cosmonaut
8
Q
How did Soviet space achievements influence US policy?
A
- Alarmed US - showed USSR tech had surpassed theirs
- Convinced US that USSR had capability to launch nuclear missiles
- Sputnik undermined effectiveness of massive retaliation strategy
- Sputnik created urgency for US to develop its own space tech programme
9
Q
What were the failures of US space tech strategy?
A
- Dec 1957 = US Navy’s Vanguard rocket crashed on take off from Cape Canaveral
- Referred to as ‘Flopnik’
10
Q
What were the achievements of US space tech strategy?
A
- By 1962, USA had launched 63 successful space missions compared to 15 USSR missions
- From Aug 1960 = US Discoverer satellite programme provided long-range intelligence (gathered photos from space)
- 1958 = Eisenhower established NASA
11
Q
Why did Khrushchev create the Berlin ultimatum?
A
- US invested lots of money into West Berlin = obvious disparity between East and West = could turn people against communism
- USA realised growing Soviet nuclear and space tech = Soviet fear USA would place nuclear missiles in WG
- By 1958, Sino-Soviet relations deteriorating so Soviet position as communist leader must be strengthened
12
Q
What did the Berlin ultimatum demand?
A
- Withdrawal of Western troops from West Berlin
- Berlin to be declared a ‘free city’
- Western powers to negotiate acceptable settlement OR USSR would sign separate treaty with GDR
= threaten Western access and occupation of West Berlin
13
Q
What was the Hallstein Doctrine?
A
- Announced by FRG (West Germany)
- FRG were diplomatic with USSR
- Doctrine stated that if USSR recognised GDR (East Germany) as separate state, FRG would end diplomatic relations
14
Q
What was the Western response to the ultimatum?
A
- 31 Dec 1958 = Western powers rejected ultimatum
- BUT still desire from USA and Britain to lessen confrontation with USSR
15
Q
How did Western-Soviet relations improve after the Berlin Ultimatum?
A
- Feb 1959 = Macmillan (British Prime Minister) visited Moscow
- Sep 1959 = Khrushchev visits Camp David
- Leaders of USSR, USA, Britain and France were to meet at Paris Summit in May 1960
16
Q
Why did improved Western-Soviet relations deteriorate again in 1960?
A
- US U-2 spy plane shot down over Soviet territory
- Data from spy plane proves Khrushchev exaggerating Soviet nuclear capacity
- Yet emphasised USA suspicion and mistrust = damaged relations
17
Q
What was the impact of the Berlin Wall?
A
- First half of 1961 = 10,000 GDR citizens migrated West
- Created brain drain (as many emigrates were skilled workers) = hindered East Germany’s economic growth
- 1961 = Construction of wall began
- Initial wire fences, later concrete wall
- Only 4 recognised crossing points
18
Q
What was Kennedy’s ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ speech?
A
- June 1963 = response to building of Berlin Wall
- Declared ‘all free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin’
- USSR had given USA great propaganda tool
19
Q
What was the impact of building the Berlin Wall?
A
- GDR’s economic crisis resolved as skilled workers/professionals couldn’t leave
- US didn’t act against building of wall = suggested they tolerated and recognised GDR
- Proved would be no fighting between USSR and USA = enabled avoidance of nuclear confrontation and better alternative to war
