CND Flashcards
What was the Labour government’s commitment regarding nuclear weapons between 1945-51?
The Labour government committed to an independent British nuclear deterrent, wanting nukes to be used as a deterrent.
What happened when the US stopped sharing information about nuclear weapons with Britain?
The US stopped sharing information about nuclear weapons, affecting Britain’s development of its own nuclear capabilities.
How did Churchill continue the Labour government’s nuclear policy after 1951?
Churchill continued Labour’s policy by overseeing the testing of British A-bombs in 1952, making Britain the third country to develop nuclear weapons.
When was Britain’s first H-bomb test, and how did Britain’s nuclear progress compare to the US and USSR?
Britain’s first H-bomb test was in 1957. Both A-bomb and H-bomb tests were significantly behind the US and USSR in terms of development.
What was the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and when was it developed?
The CND was developed in 1958 as a response to Britain’s development of a nuclear deterrent. It became the most powerful pressure group in the country.
Who supported the CND and what was their stance on nuclear weapons?
The CND mobilized intellectuals and the middle class, who believed Britain should reject nuclear weapons and adopt a policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament.
What significant agreement happened in 1958, and how did it impact Britain’s nuclear policy?
In 1958, the US and Britain signed the Mutual Defence Agreement, where the US agreed to share nuclear technology with Britain, leading Britain to abandon its own rocket project by 1960.
How did the development of the Mutual Defence Agreement affect Britain’s nuclear policy?
The agreement made it clear that Britain would unlikely have an ‘independent’ nuclear deterrent, leading some in the Labour Party to no longer support pro-nuclear policies.
Who were some of the leaders and supporters of the CND?
One of the leaders was historian AJP Taylor, and popular writer JB Priestley wrote influential articles advocating for the moral necessity of renouncing nuclear weapons.
What happened at the inaugural meeting of the CND?
Over 5,000 people attended the inaugural meeting, and some were arrested. The Aldermaston marches, organized by the CND, also received massive press coverage.
