BELLWORK 1. How was Germany divided after WWII? 2. When was the Berlin Wall built? Who built it? 3. Why was the Berlin Wall built? 4. What was the Berlin blockade? 5. What was the Berlin airlift? Was it successful? 6. THINKER: What is an arms race? How could this be dangerous to American security?
The Cold War Arms Race
In the Beginning… After the U.S. dropped nuclear bombs on Japan, the world wanted their own nuclear bombs. After the U.S. dropped nuclear bombs on Japan, the world wanted their own nuclear bombs. This started an arms race: competition between two or more countries for the best armed forces. This started an arms race: competition between two or more countries for the best armed forces. Each country competes to produce larger numbers of weapons, greater armies and military technologies. Each country competes to produce larger numbers of weapons, greater armies and military technologies. UK, France, US, Soviet Union, and People’s Republic of China all produced nuclear weapons. UK, France, US, Soviet Union, and People’s Republic of China all produced nuclear weapons.
Soviet Power American experts had believed that the Soviet Union would not have nuclear bombs until the mid 50s. However, the Soviet Union tested their first nuke in 1949 American experts had believed that the Soviet Union would not have nuclear bombs until the mid 50s. However, the Soviet Union tested their first nuke in 1949 The first bomb that the Soviets tested was named Joe-One and the project was classified as “First Lightning”. The first bomb that the Soviets tested was named Joe-One and the project was classified as “First Lightning”. The whole world watched in shock at the Soviet Union’s new weapon. The whole world watched in shock at the Soviet Union’s new weapon.
Joe-One, the Soviets first nuclear bomb, was a copy of the American bomb, Fat Man. Joe-One, the Soviets first nuclear bomb, was a copy of the American bomb, Fat Man. Although it was a copy, it was much weaker. Although it was a copy, it was much weaker.
Soviet Program VS American Program Both parties believed that more nukes = more power! Both parties believed that more nukes = more power! Soviet Union built more nuclear weapons with cheaper quality. Soviet Union built more nuclear weapons with cheaper quality. Americans built fewer nuclear weapons, but with better quality. Americans built fewer nuclear weapons, but with better quality.
Hydrogen Bomb Both countries worked frantically to produce the first hydrogen bomb. Both countries worked frantically to produce the first hydrogen bomb. The US detonated the first H-Bomb in November The US detonated the first H-Bomb in November The Soviets exploded their H- Bomb in August The Soviets exploded their H- Bomb in August 1955.
Hydrogen Bomb Explosion
ICBMs Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles The most important development in terms of nuclear delivery in the 1950s. The most important development in terms of nuclear delivery in the 1950s. Missiles delivered bombs instead of bomber aircrafts. Missiles delivered bombs instead of bomber aircrafts. Missiles could now reach areas thousands of miles away. Missiles could now reach areas thousands of miles away.
Cuban Missile Crisis By 1962, the Soviet Union had missiles stationed in Cuba. By 1962, the Soviet Union had missiles stationed in Cuba. The U.S. had missiles stationed in Turkey. The U.S. had missiles stationed in Turkey. This brought the world on the brink of nuclear war. This brought the world on the brink of nuclear war. After 10 days of caution, President Kennedy and Khrushchev agree to remove their missiles. After 10 days of caution, President Kennedy and Khrushchev agree to remove their missiles.
Strategic nuclear missiles, warheads and throw-weights of United States and USSR, YearLaunchersWarheadsMegatonnage USAUSSRUSAUSSRUSAUSSR 19642, , ,5001, , , ,6001, ,3601,0454, ,1002, ,2301,6803,9001,8004,3003, ,2302,0905,8002,1004,1004, ,1802,3808,4002,4003,8004, ,1002,3909,4003,2003,7004, ,0582,3509,8005,2003,8005, ,0422,49010,0006,0004,0005, ,0322,49011,0008,0004,1007,100
Mutual Assured Destruction At the end of the Kennedy Administration, both the US and the USSR admitted their vulnerability because of nuclear equality. At the end of the Kennedy Administration, both the US and the USSR admitted their vulnerability because of nuclear equality. Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): One country couldn’t attack the other because they would be attacked in return. Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): One country couldn’t attack the other because they would be attacked in return. Whoever shoots first, dies second. Whoever shoots first, dies second.
End of the Arms Race Economic problems led to arms control agreements beginning in the 1970s. This period of time, known as détente. Economic problems led to arms control agreements beginning in the 1970s. This period of time, known as détente. Détente: Both countries reduced their nuclear spending and stockpiles. Détente: Both countries reduced their nuclear spending and stockpiles. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): limited the amount of nuclear weapons produced. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): limited the amount of nuclear weapons produced. Limited Test Ban Treaty: banned nuclear testing above ground to prevent radiation poisoning Limited Test Ban Treaty: banned nuclear testing above ground to prevent radiation poisoning
Post-Cold War As the Cold War warmed up, the U.S. and Russia began to cut down on spending; fewer weapons were produced. As the Cold War warmed up, the U.S. and Russia began to cut down on spending; fewer weapons were produced. Large amount of resources and money which was spent on developing weapons was spent on repairing the environmental damage produced by the nuclear arms race. Large amount of resources and money which was spent on developing weapons was spent on repairing the environmental damage produced by the nuclear arms race. All major production sites are now major clean-up sites. All major production sites are now major clean-up sites.
CLOSURE What was the goal of the Arms Race? What was the goal of the Arms Race? What was the difference in America’s program vs. Soviet’s program? What was the difference in America’s program vs. Soviet’s program? What are ICBM’s? What are ICBM’s? Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis such a dangerous event? What was the outcome? Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis such a dangerous event? What was the outcome? What is the M.A.D. Theory? What is the M.A.D. Theory? How did the Arms Race end? How did the Arms Race end? Was there a winner to this race? Explain! Was there a winner to this race? Explain!
SPACE RACE During the Cold War, both superpowers were not only racing to produce the most weapons, they were also competing in space!!! During the Cold War, both superpowers were not only racing to produce the most weapons, they were also competing in space!!! Who could get to space first? Who could launch the best satellite? Who could get to the moon first? Who could get to space first? Who could launch the best satellite? Who could get to the moon first? To learn about important events within the Space Race, you will do research on the event and complete a worksheet. To learn about important events within the Space Race, you will do research on the event and complete a worksheet. You will be browsing the internet in the library and reading about important advances, programs, and laws. You will be browsing the internet in the library and reading about important advances, programs, and laws. This is an independent research assignment. This is an independent research assignment. Use your time effectively! Think of this as a chance to learn even more about US-Soviet conflicts. Use your time effectively! Think of this as a chance to learn even more about US-Soviet conflicts.