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The Dawn of the Atomic Age

The Dawn of the Atomic Age. The Cold War and the Bomb. Early Regulation. United Nations UN Atomic Energy Commission, 1946 Soviets call for complete disarmament US rejects this US creates Baruch Plan Regulation and inspection of all nuclear activities Soviets reject this. US Policy.

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The Dawn of the Atomic Age

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  1. The Dawn of the Atomic Age The Cold War and the Bomb

  2. Early Regulation • United Nations • UN Atomic Energy Commission, 1946 • Soviets call for complete disarmament • US rejects this • US creates Baruch Plan • Regulation and inspection of all nuclear activities • Soviets reject this

  3. US Policy • McMahon Act (Atomic Energy Act of 1946) • Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) • Takes nuclear control from military • Robert Oppenheimer first head • Nuclear cooperation with Britain halted • But British continue anyway

  4. Operation Crossroads, 1946 • US tests two atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll • ABLE, July 1 • First post-war nuclear test • Airborne • BAKER, July 25 • Underwater • Very destructive; high radiation

  5. Russia Goes Nuclear • Klaus Fuchs, Soviet Spy • Worked on Manhattan Project with British • Gave atomic secrets to Russia • Joe-1 • First nuclear test • August 29, 1949

  6. Race for the Hydrogen Bomb • The “Super” • Atomic bomb is fission • Hydrogen bomb is fusion • Much more explosive and deadly • Oppenheimer opposes development • He is removed in 1953 • Falsely accused of having associations with communists

  7. Race for the Hydrogen Bomb • Edward Teller • Father of the Hydrogen Bomb • MIKE, November 1, 1952 • Enewetak Atoll • BRAVO, March 1, 1954 • Bikini Atoll • Much larger yield than expected, 14.8 megatons • Largest US test ever • Makes region uninhabitable for years

  8. Massive Retaliation • Perception that US conventional forces lag behind USSR and China • Eisenhower does not want massive troop buildup • US Nuclear superiority is deterrent • John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State • “Local defense must be reinforced by the further deterrent of massive retaliatory power.” - 1954

  9. Race for the Hydrogen Bomb • Soviets develop Super • August 12, 1953 • Central Siberia, not as powerful • October 23, 1961 • 58 megaton H-Bomb • By far the lagers nuclear blast ever • Americans expected much longer lag

  10. The War at Home • Federal Civil Defense Act, 1950 • FCDA charged with creating plans in case of nuclear attack for • Shelter • Evacuation • Training • Funds distributed to local government agencies

  11. The Nuclear Club Expands • Britain, 1952 • Hurricane • France 1960 • Blue Gerbil • China, 1964

  12. Mutually Assured Destruction • From late 1950s-1960s • Advent of “second strike” capabilities • Inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) • Nuclear submarines • Each side has more than enough capacity and capability to decimate the other • If Cold War gets too “hot” its the end of the Earth

  13. US and Soviet Nuclear Strategic Forces, 1950-2000 US USSR/Russia Year Launchers Warheads Launchers Warheads 1950 462 400 22* 84* 1960 1,559 3,127 144 354 1970 2,100 5,239 1,985 2,216 1980 2,022 10,608 2,545 7,480 1990 1,903 12,477 2,500 10,271 2000 1,407 7,519 1,266 6,094 2005 1,225 5,966 981 4,732 Source: Arms Control Association, Fact Sheets (2005) *=1956 totals

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