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The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy During the Cold War: Key Events and Policies (1952-1968)

This handout outlines significant milestones in nuclear strategy during the Cold War, covering the development and testing of nuclear weapons by both the USA and USSR from 1952 to 1968. Key events include the detonation of H-bombs, the launch of the U2 spy plane, the advent of ICBMs, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The document discusses military doctrines like Massive Retaliation and Flexible Response, leading to the understanding of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). It also highlights diplomatic efforts, including the Test Ban Treaty and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

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The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy During the Cold War: Key Events and Policies (1952-1968)

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Nuclear Strategy in the Cold War A Handout

  2. 1952 • Americans explode an H-Bomb • 1000 times more powerful than A-Bomb

  3. 1953 • Soviets explode an H-Bomb

  4. 1955 • U2 spy plane goes into service for the CIA

  5. 1957 • Sputnik • first satellite • (USSR)

  6. 1958 • ICBM • first intercontinental ballistic missile • (USA)

  7. 1960 • Polaris • American missile launched from submerged submarine

  8. 1960 • Triad System • an arsenal of ground, air and water-based missiles

  9. Massive retaliation • American commitment to hit the USSR with everything in their arsenal if Russia launched an offensive

  10. Flexible response • A more sane approach. American commitment to use either conventional weapons or nuclear weapons depending on the level of force necessary.

  11. Mutually Assured Destruction • Logical result of the nuclear arms race. Both the USSR and USA have enough weapons to totally destroy their enemy. Therefore no war will start. It would be MADness.

  12. 1949 • USSR developed its own A-Bomb. US no longer had a monopoly on nuclear power.

  13. 1957 • USSR had a rocket capable of launching a nuclear warhead that could reach continental USA

  14. 1962 • Cuban Missile Crisis revealed that strategy of massive retaliation was too dangerous. Flexible response was more appropriate.

  15. Co-operation • Both sides agreed to a Test Ban Treaty (1963) and a Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty (1968) • A hot line was installed between the White House and the Kremlin to allow a quick coordinated response to potential trouble spots. • US allowed Soviets a free-reign in Eastern Europe.

  16. Korea (1950) • Korea erupted into civil war. USSR and China backed the north; US backed the south

  17. Berlin (1961) • Soviets sealed off West Berlin with a wall. Hope for German re-unification dashed. This was a provocation to the USA.

  18. 1949 – Partition of Germany becomes permanent German Democratic Republic Federal Republic of Germany

  19. 1961

  20. JFK, 1961: “Ich bin ein Berliner”

  21. Cuba (1962) • Soviets exported nuclear weapons to Cuba which could hit American targets. Another provocation to the USA.

  22. Vietnam (1964) • Civil war in Vietnam escalates. USSR and China back the north; US backs the south.

  23. East Germany (1953)

  24. Hungary (1956)

  25. Czechoslovakia (1968)“Prague Spring”

  26. Behind the Iron Curtain • Despite their nuclear superiority the Americans did not use massive retaliation. They stood by while Soviet tanks crushed anti-Soviet uprisings in Eastern European nations. Americans did not have the resources or stomach to challenge the Soviets in their own backyard.

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