1. 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?

2. 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.

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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