Cold War rivalries, 1955-63

What was the state of the arms race by the mid-1950s?

Both the USA and USSR possessed thermonuclear (H-bomb) weapons and were expanding delivery systems.

What was the “missile gap”?

The (incorrect) belief in the late 1950s that the USSR had more ICBMs than the USA.

What new weapons intensified the arms race during this period?

Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and improved strategic bombers.

Why did nuclear stockpiles grow rapidly after 1955?

Doctrine of “massive retaliation,” superpower rivalry, and technological competition.

What was the impact of mutually assured destruction (MAD)?

Discouraged direct war but increased Cold War tension through constant threat of nuclear annihilation.

What was Sputnik and when was it launched?

The first artificial satellite, launched by the USSR in October 1957.

Why was Sputnik significant?

It demonstrated Soviet missile capability and caused shock and fear in the USA.

How did the USA respond to Sputnik?

Creation of NASA (1958), increased STEM funding, and accelerated missile development.

What Soviet achievements followed Sputnik?

Sputnik II (1957, with Laika), the first man in space (Yuri Gagarin, 1961).

What was the US response in the early 1960s?

Project Mercury, and Kennedy’s 1961 commitment to land a man on the Moon by the end of the decade.

How did the Space Race intensify Cold War rivalry?

It became a proxy for technological superiority, ideological competition, and military capability.

What triggered Khrushchev’s 1958 Berlin Ultimatum?

Concern over the “brain drain” from East to West Berlin and West Germany’s growing strength.

What did Khrushchev demand in 1958?

That Berlin become a demilitarised “free city” and Western forces withdraw within six months.

Why was Berlin important to the USA?

Symbol of Western commitment; retreat would damage credibility of containment.

What happened at the 1961 Vienna Summit?

Khrushchev renewed the ultimatum; Kennedy refused to back down.

What caused the construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961?

Massive East German emigration and Khrushchev’s need for a stable solution without war.

What was the impact of the Berlin Wall?

Stopped the brain drain, stabilised the German situation, but symbolised division and Cold War hostility.

What was the Checkpoint Charlie standoff (1961)?

A brief US–Soviet tank confrontation at the Berlin border; resolved peacefully.

What characterised Cold War rivalry from 1955–63?

Intense technological, military, and ideological competition between the superpowers.

How did the arms race change in this period?

Shift from bombs to missiles and space-based technology, escalating nuclear threat.

What made Berlin a flashpoint?

Its divided status, propaganda value, and symbolism of superpower resolve.

How did these rivalries affect global stability?

Created constant risk of escalation but also contributed to deterrence and avoidance of full-scale war.