The Arms Race (1945-55)

Question 1

When and by whom was the first atomic bomb tested?

Answer 1

The USA tested the bomb in 1945 (and used it against the Japanese in the same year)

Question 2

When did the USSR acquire the atomic bomb?

Answer 2

1949

Question 3

How did the USSR catch up with the USA in atomic research?

Answer 3

• Huge amounts of money was invested in it

- Scientists pay trebled

Question 4

What did Truman order when he learnt of the USSR testing the atomic bomb?

Answer 4

The H-bomb (hydrogen bomb)

Question 5

How much more powerful was the H-bomb than the atomic bomb?

Answer 5

The H-bomb was approximately 500 times more powerful

Question 6

When did the USA first acquire and test the H-bomb?

Answer 6

1952

Question 7

When did the USSR first acquire and test the H-bomb?

Answer 7

1953 (only a few months after the USA)

Question 8

What did these these new H-bombs require?

Answer 8

The H-bombs required either missiles or modified aircraft to attack enemy territory

Question 9

What plane did the USA develop that could fly for long enough to bomb the USSR?

Answer 9

The B52 Stratofortress

Question 10

When did the B52 Stratofortress come into operation?

Answer 10

1955

Question 11

What plane did the USSR develop to carry its H-bomb?

Answer 11

The TU20 Bear

Question 12

When did the TU20 Bear come into operation?

Answer 12

1956?

Question 13

Why was it called the ‘arms race’?

Answer 13

‘Arms’ is short for ‘armaments’ (or weapons). The arms race was a competition between the USA and USSR to see who could build the strongest arsenal. It was believed that if one side gained too much of an advantage, they could achieve all out victory against the other.

Question 14

Why was the arms race significant?

Answer 14

The arms race prevented a war in Europe

• The USSR had 3 million troops, it could easily have seized West Germany
• However, Soviet leaders had seen Hiroshima and Nagasaki - they were not prepared to risk US nuclear retaliation