The Arms Race

Question 1

Who was Khrushchev?

Answer 1

Khrushchev, a supporter of the nuclear missile programme, became dictator of the USSR after Stalin died in 1953.

Question 2

What happened?

Answer 2

• By 1957 the USSR was developing the first ICBMs, and by 1959 the USA also had them.
• Both superpowers had huge arsenals of atomic and hydrogen bombs.
• The USA had first strike capabilities on the USSR due to missile sites in Turkey and western Europe.

Question 3

Why neither would use the missiles?

Answer 3

Neither would actually use the missiles due to the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D), wherein both countries would be obliterated in the outbreak of nuclear war.

Question 4

What did the USA do?

Answer 4

• The USA had submarines armed with nuclear missiles.

- By 1960, the USA was ahead in the arms race.