The US Nuclear Testing Program

Question 1

US Main Testing Sites

Answer 1

Marshall Islands (66 tests) and Nevada (over 900)

Question 2

Korean War

Answer 2

1950-53: NK (supported by China and USSR) attacked SK (Supported by USA, UK, Canada), fighting resulted in little border change, US involvement affected military plans of weapon development to focus on tactical NWs, involvement due to containment strat

Question 3

“New Look” policy

Answer 3

1953: introduced by Pres. Dwight Eisenhower, emphasized dependence on NWs over conventional forces, important to reduce size of conventional military to stabilize financial situation after Korean War in favour of using NWs

Question 4

“Massive Retaliation” Speech

Answer 4

1954: presented by John Dulles which helped form the massive retaliation doctrine/strat, involves massive retaliatory attack against any conventional enemy attack, US nuclear program escalated after

Question 5

Hood Test/Operation Plumbbob

Answer 5

May-Oct 1957: atomic maneuvers which involved the detonation of a NW, soldiers in trenches that had to jump out ASAP, and was used to test how the military would react (physically and psychologically) in the event of a nuclear attack, soldiers suffered extreme radiation-related health issues

Question 6

Mike Thermonuclear Test

Answer 6

Nov 1, 1952: 1st thermonuclear test, Enewetak Atoll, 10.4 megatons, vaporized water and created an underwater crater, annihilation of life

Question 7

Bravo Test

Answer 7

Mar 1, 1954: Bikini Atoll, thermonuclear test, crater in coral reefs, radioactive cloud, killed all vegetation, ppl on nearby islands experienced radiation exposure

Question 8

Lijon Eknilang

Answer 8

Rongelapese person who lived on the atolls as a child, saw how everyone was getting sick as a result of contamination, became an anti-nuclear activist and represented Rongelapese

Question 9

Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Answer 9

1963: before its inception, the nuclear powers began a series of tests due to the anticipation of a prohibition treaty, took place after the Cuban missile crisis, banned testing in the atmosphere, underwater, and outer space, allowed underground testing which enabled USA to have a large NA and cause serious health conditions for everyone involved