Chapter Fifteen Flashcards
After the Cuban Missile Crisis, what were Khrushchev and Kennedy’s attitudes towards nuclear weaponry?
Khrushchev was more interested in improving the Soviet econ, standards of livin, but had to contend with Mao Zedong’s accusation that he was not sufficiently revolutionary. Interested in peaceful co, but had to be seen to be upholding Soviet dominance.
Kennedy also inclined towards reconciliation. Had to demonstrate anti-communist stance.
After crisis, as shown by nuclear weaponry agreements, both were more interested in discussions and engagement.
What did the report of the National Security Council’s Net Evaluation Subcommittee show?
Report on the results of a nuclear war between USA and USSR. Concluded neither would emerge without severe damage and casualties.
In event of a nuclear war in 1963 or 1964, the two countries would have a combined 93 million casualties.
What did MAD show?
It showed that it was advantageous for the two countries to have nuclear equality- thus if one side launched a nuclear attack the other could respond in kind. However, this was based on the assumption that all nuclear powers were rational (CMC). No guarentee also that both would maintain a nuclear monopoly, meaning they needed to prevent the spread of nuclear weaponry to other countries.
Why, regarding Japan, did Kennedy want to prevent the spread of nucear weaponry?
1963 Japan was still devastated by the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Meant that Kennedy felt that such destruction of the world’s environment should be ended, or at least limited.
What, in November 1963 delayed discussions on the limitation of nuclear weaponry?
Kennedy’s assassination. However, this did not prevent discussions, and the USA and USSR continued talks through the US presidential administrations until the end of the Cold War.
After the CMC, what did Khrushchev want the US-Soviet relationship to be based on? Why?
Mutual restraint, rather than Brinkmanship.
The USSR no longer had a reliable ally in Asia (Sino-Soviet split)- although had reconciled with Tito in Yugoslavia.
What did Kennedy and Khrushchev specifically agree on?
They agreed on the idea of limiting the number of countries with nuclear weapons and manners by which nuclear weapons could be tested.
What was the 1963 ‘Washington-Moscow Hotline’?
A direct communication line set up between the leaders of the USA and the USSR. Prior to this, they had to wait for phone calls to go through a series of exchanges before they could converse. Although it woas only to be used in emergency situations.
Aim was to avoid ind of delays in communication occurring during the Cuban Missile Crisis- although neither Kennedy nor Khrushchev used the hot line.
When was Khrushchev outsted from power?
- Although his principles on mutual cooperation continued with Brehznev.
What was the Moscow Test Ban Treaty, August 1963?
Came after several years of negotiations between the Kennedy and Khrushchev administrations. Banned testing of nuclear weaponry in the atmosphere, underwater, environment or outerspace. However, it did not include underground tests which were difficult to detect. The USA originally insisted that it would include this, but withdrew this insistence. Signed by the USA, USSR and UK- France and China refused to agree, going against Kennedy and Khrushchev’s desire for international development of nuclear weaponry to be restricted.
What were the attitudes of the Soviet and American public to nuclear weaponry after the Missile Crisis?
Opposition amongst the public- wherein some members did not want to be seen as weakening their stance against the other superpower, this was countered by citizens who recognised the threat of nuclear war as a result of the crisis, and they therefore supported the government efforts to limit any use of nuclear weapons.
What were the effects of the Test Ban Treaty?
First collective agreement establishing some limitations on nuclear arms race, proved Brit, USSR and USA were committed to easing tensions associated with the Cold War, chances of such a war would be diminished, accepting principle that on-site testing was unnecessary was a show of trust towards other powers, and was one step on the way to the development of further agreements. Aome of which were signed by multiple countries, showing an international commitment to limiting and eventually ending the possession of nuclear weapons.
What was The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
July 1968
A means to check the spread of nuclear weapons. Those signing agreed not to share their technoligies with non-nuclear states so they would not be able to establish nuclear weaponry by forming alliances with those states that had nuclear weapons. Non-nuclear states signing would not seek nuclear weapons tech. Most countries in UN signed between 1968-1970, but China and France did not sign but agreed to conform to terms of the treaty nevertheless.
Why was the NPT created?
In 1964 China successfully tested nuclear bomb.
Practical issue of nuclear arms race was the cost- nuclear expansion was an expensive process.
What was an AMB?
Developed by the Soviet Union. They had the technology to intercept nuclear missiles and prevent them from reaching their target. Represented major shift in effectiveness of nuclear missiles as deterrent to nuclear weapons use- if one side had the ability to destroy nuclear ability of the other, MAD was no longer effective.
However, USA soon developed MIRVS, which set of multiple warheads, of which the AMBs were not designed to stop, meaning the USSR lost their advantage.
