lesson 14 - flash cards
Q: What is the definition of an arms race?
A: An arms race is a competition between two sides to accumulate the largest amount of weapons, in this case, nuclear weapons for nuclear supremacy.
Q: What does MAD stand for and what does it imply?
A: MAD stands for Mutually Assured Destruction, implying that both superpowers have enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, deterring them from launching a first strike.
Q: What is the concept of a nuclear deterrent?
A: A nuclear deterrent is the idea that enemies can be deterred from acting aggressively due to the immense power of nuclear weapons.
Q: What is a stockpile in the context of nuclear weapons?
A: A stockpile is a large accumulated stock of goods or materials, in this case, nuclear missiles.
Q: What does the term brinkmanship mean?
A: Brinkmanship is the practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, often risking conflict.
Q: What is a hydrogen bomb and how does it differ from an atomic bomb?
A: A hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear or fusion weapon, is a second-generation nuclear weapon that is 1000 times stronger than an atomic bomb and more compact.
Q: What was the Manhattan Project?
A: The Manhattan Project was a World War II research and development project led by the USA, with the UK and Canada, that produced the first nuclear weapons.
Q: What happened to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945?
A: Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed by atomic bombs dropped by the USA under Truman’s orders on the 6th and 9th of August, 1945.
Q: What was Stalin’s reaction to the USA using atomic weapons in 1945?
A: Stalin wanted the Soviet Union to develop their own atomic weapon, leading to the successful test of their first atomic bomb on the 29th of August 1949.
Q: How did the USA respond to the Soviet Union’s successful atomic bomb test in 1949?
A: In response, Truman instructed the development of the Hydrogen bomb, starting the nuclear arms race.
Q: What was the significance of the hydrogen bomb in the nuclear arms race?
A: The hydrogen bomb, developed by the USA in 1952 and the USSR in 1953, marked the escalation of the nuclear arms race with much more powerful weapons.
Q: By 1960, what capabilities did the USA have for launching nuclear weapons?
A: By 1960, the USA could launch nuclear weapons from sea (Polaris), land, and air.
Q: What is brinkmanship and why is it risky?
A: Brinkmanship is achieving aims without compromise, often by pushing dangerous policies to their limits, risking potential conflict.
Q: Why were nuclear weapons never used despite their growth in stockpile?
A: Nuclear weapons were never used because of the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction, which deterred both sides from launching an attack due to the guaranteed mutual destruction.
Q: What was the concern in America regarding the missile gap?
A: There was a growing concern that the Soviets were ahead in the arms race, leading to fears of a missile gap.
