Political Developments: Debates over Nuclear Weapons Flashcards
When did Britain start to experiment with nuclear properties?
1930s
What secret project did Britain get involved in to make the first Atomic Bomb?
Manhattan Project
What was agreed in September 1944?
Churchill and Roosevelt would continue nuclear collaboration after WWII
What happened to this agreement after Roosevelt’s death?
Truman, the new President, went back on it
What was nuclear capacity seen as by Britain?
A key to staying on the ‘top table’
When did Britain do their first atomic bomb test?
October 1952
Why was Britain testing their own atomic bomb only a short term positive development?
In November 1952, America tested the more powerful hydrogen bomb
When did Britain test their first megaton bomb? Who helped?
America helped Britain test their first megaton bomb in 1957
What was apparent about British nuclear development in the future?
America would have to help the UK out heavily
Why were nuclear weapons saving money in some way? Who showed this?
Duncan Sandy’s 1957 White Paper said nuclear weapons saved money on conventional forces
What did Macmillan agree with American missiles in 1957?
Allowed stationing of 60 American Nuclear Missiles in Britain
What could be the long term significance of what Macmillan allowed?
Although UK and US would need to consent to launch, if America needed to quick, Britain could do it for the USA
What happened to Britain’s personal nuclear programme? When? Why?
Blue Streak Missile Programme was cancelled in 1960 due to the cost
What was Macmillans alternative to Blue Streak? When?
Secured Polaris missiles from America in December 1962
What was significant about Macmillan getting Polaris missiles from America?
It showed the special relationship was in a good place
Which side of Labour heavily opposed nuclear weapons? Who supported nukes?
Left, but the leading Labour side supported them
What was a significant event in Labour left opposition?
Nye Bevan nearly expelled in 1955 when opposing development of a hydrogen bomb
What was CND? When was it formed?
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Formed in 1958
What was significant about the CND by what year?
By 1960 it had the power to try and get Britain to leave NATO
What did Labour pass in their party in 1960?
Unilateralist resolutions
What happened to what was passed by Labour in 1960?
Gaitskell passionately campaigned to reverse unilateralism in 1961
What had happened to the CND by 1964?
It had mostly disappeared
What was significant about the poor state of the CND by 1964?
It likely helped the ability for Labour to win the 1964 election
How independent was Britain as a nuclear deterrent by 1964?
Only independent development of own atomic bomb 8 years after USA. USA help UK make a megaton bomb
When did Britain test their own Hydrogen Bomb?
1957
What was the main class demographic of CND supporters?
Middle-class
How many people took part in the CND’s first march?
8000
