The Arms and Space Race Unit 9: Cold War

Arms Race Begins US and USSR became involved in an arms race by the 1950s Nuclear weapons included in race USSR detonates first atomic bomb in 1949 Early 1950s, both countries developed the hydrogen bomb Arms Race: building up armies and weapon stores to keep up with an enemy

Arms Race Begins US and USSR stockpiled nuclear weapons; seen as deterrence Large nuclear arsenals on both sides prevented war Also known as MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) Late 1950s, both had intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs); can send warheads virtually anywhere

Defensive Systems Fear of ICBMs leads to improved anti-missile defenses Designed to intercept incoming nuclear weapons Most famous was Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) Failure due to budget restrictions and political opposition

Peace Talks Threat of MAD led both sides to negotiating table SALT and SALT II Agreements to reduce total number of arms Agreements largely failed until late in 1980s when Soviet Union fell

Space Race

Origins of Space Race Germans experimenting with V2 rockets in WWII Technology adopted by nearby countries 1957- Soviets launch Sputnik I; first human- made satellite Fear leads to a push to get manned craft in space

Apollo Missions Launched by President Kennedy Goal: Land man on the moon and return Gemini Program also developed for new space technology July 20, 1969- Apollo 11 successfully lands on the moon