Superpower Rivalries Main Idea Reading Focus As the Cold War continued, the world’s two superpowers—the Soviet Union and the United States—competed for power and influence around the world. Reading Focus How did the arms race begin in the 1950s and early 1960s? How did the Cold War contribute to conflict around the world? How did the superpowers attempt to achieve arms control during the Cold War?

The Arms Race Begins During the 1950s and early 1960s nuclear war seemed to draw ever closer as the Soviet Union and the United States raced to develop powerful new weapons. This rivalry between the world’s two superpowers became increasingly tense—and dangerous. 1949, Soviets successfully tested atomic bomb Great military advantage of U.S. over Soviet Union gone U.S. sought to develop even more powerful weapons The Nuclear Arms Race Atomic bombs used energy created by splitting atoms Nuclear fusion—larger explosion 1952, U.S. tested first fusion-powered hydrogen bomb, vaporizing island on which tested Hydrogen Bomb The U.S. technological advantage was short-lived. Less than one year later the Soviets tested their own hydrogen bomb.

Identify Supporting Details How did the arms race begin? Answer(s): development of atomic and hydrogen bombs

Cold War Around the World The Korean War showed that Cold War rivalry could lead to conflict far from the United States or the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, this rivalry led to struggles for influence in countries around the world. End World War II, France tried to reestablish control over Southeast Asia Communist rebels in Vietnam fought back, forcing French to give up control War in Southeast Asia Peace agreement temporarily divided Vietnam in half Communists controlled North, anti-Communist regime ruled South Vietnam Divided U.S. supported South Vietnam, when revolution broke out sent military troops Eventually North Vietnamese fought alongside rebels War dragged on until mid–1970s American Support

How did the Cold War play out around the world? Find the Main Idea How did the Cold War play out around the world? Answer(s): Communism was spreading to many other countries, and the United States became involved in an attempt to stop its spread around the world.

Attempts at Arms Control While relations between East and West were largely hostile throughout the Cold War, some attempts at cooperation were made. Eisenhower proposed open skies treaty with Soviet Union Each side could fly over other’s territory, gather accurate weapons information With accurate information, neither side would have to imagine worst about enemy Soviets rejected proposal Early Arms Control Soviet leaders proposed total nuclear disarmament United States rejected idea President Kennedy favored limited nuclear weapons tests Cuban missile crisis convinced both sides important to make arms control progress 1963 U.S., Soviets agreed on Test Ban Treaty Test Ban Treaty

SALT I and SALT II SALT I ABM Treaty SALT II U.S. President Richard Nixon sought détente, reduced tension between superpowers; started negotiations called Strategic Arms Limitations Talks SALT I talks led to agreements limiting nuclear weapons held by each side ABM Treaty Also led to Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, preventing development of weapons designed to shoot down nuclear missiles Meant to ensure each side remained vulnerable to other’s nuclear weapons SALT II Vulnerability important element of principle of deterrence Two sides began new round of talks called SALT II Talks resulted in arms control treaty in 1979: never ratified by U.S. Senate

Sequence What were the major arms control agreements negotiated by the Soviet Union and the United States? Answer(s): Test Ban Treaty, SALT I, reducing the number of nuclear weapons each side held, ABM Treaty that prevented the development of weapons that shoot down nuclear missiles