Nuclear Arms Race

Question 1

Why was NATO created?

Answer 1

• West felt threatened by USSR
• This was prompted by the Berlin Crisis and takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1949

Question 2

What was the main principle in NATO?

Answer 2

• If one of the member nations were attacked, then all would come to their defence

Question 2

What happened in May 1955?

Answer 2

• West Germany was allowed to join NATO
• USSR saw this as an increased threat
• USSR formed Warsaw Pact

Question 2

What initiated the arms race?

Answer 2

• USA hoped their new nuclear weapons would grant them superiority
• However Soviets soon caught up
• Each power competed to have the strongest and the most weapons

Question 2

What are hydrogen bombs?

Answer 2

• Nuclear weapons 1000 times the power of the atomic bombs

Question 3

What are Intercontinental allistic Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) ?

Answer 3

• Missiles with enough range to reach a different continent often delivering a nuclear warhead

Question 4

What are the consequences of the arms race?

Answer 4

• Potential miscalculations between the two powers could spiral into WW3
• Full exchange of nuclear weapons could lead to mutually assured destruction
• Nuclear weapons became the way of preventing war happening in the first place