Consequences of Second Cold War: Arms/space race

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Originated from Suez Crisis 1956 Khrushchev threatened West with major missile attacks on Britain and France if they didn’t stop conflict in Egypt (USSR ally)

Question 2

Short term consequences (3 things)

Answer 2

1) Germany - Berlin crisis 1958 - Khrushchev demanded demilitarization of W. Berlin and withdrawal of W.troops - failed compromise in Geneva conference May - Aug 1959. 103,000 fled GDR - Berlin wall - tensions high with Checkpoint Charlies Oct 1961 - tanks muzzle to muzzle.2) Discussions in Paris to create nuclear free zone ruined by shooting down of U2 spy plane (Gary Powers). 3) CMC 1962 - Khrushchev deployed missiles in Cuba. U2 spy plane identified this - US checks implemented of transporting goods. K withdrew missile. US promised not to invade Cuba and removed missiles from Turkey.

Question 3

Long term consequences

Answer 3

1) CMC - MAD reduced tension. Hotline set up between White House and Kremlin. K prestige damaged as seen as backing down and reason for fall. 2) USSR tried to close arms gap and further developed ICBM’s and Naval expansion - escalation of arms race. Economic collapse as all money diverted into military spending. 1975 - state deficit doubled from 57bn to 100 bn roubles. Result in USSR fall - economic inertia.

Question 4

For whom (US, USSR AND UN)

Answer 4

USA confident - higher damage weapons - 1st H bomb 1952 and long range B52 - USSR boasts inaccurate. USSR victories - 1st ICMB 1957, 1st Sputnik satellite and first man in space - Yuri Gagarin 1961 - economic cost due to overspend. EU - wanted to decrease risk of nuclear war - Ostpolitik and Basic Treaty 1972 where FRG accepted GDR as equal and joined UN.