(The end of post-war euphoria) The reality of the nuclear age

Question 1

What happened when the USSR exploded its first nuclear (test) weapon in 1949?

Answer 1

Increased tension and the arms race began.

Question 2

What did America become concerned about regarding the USSR?

What did this do in turn?

Answer 2

How quickly it acquired knowledge to build nuclear weapons.

Suspicions fell on subversives & spies willing to give US secrets to the USSR.

Question 3

How did the reality of the nuclear age impact the lives of Americans?
Give 2 examples.

Answer 3

Increased paranoia as fear of nuclear war was very real.

School children were given nuclear drills.

Question 4

What was the Federal Defense Act of 1956?

Answer 4

Enable the rapid evacuation of cities.

Question 5

What is the name of the act set up to enable the rapid evacuation of cities?

Answer 5

The Federal Defense Act of 1956

Question 6

Who was Ethel and Julius Rosenberg?

Outline what happened to them.

Answer 6

They were accused for passing nuclear secrets to Russians, based on spectral evidence. Both were executed in 1953.