Second arms race 1955-84

What is the second arms race centred on?

Building more powerful missiles

What did USSR test in August 1957 that made it catch up with USA’s progress?

ICBM

What did USA develop in response to ICBMs?

MIRV

What other development in 1957 shows that USSR is no longer lagging behind?

Sputnik satellite

Who is Dulles of USA 1956?

Secretary of State

Who is Eisenhower USA 1956?

President

What is massive retaliation policy by Dulles?

Building up USA’s nuclear weapons to send message to enemy that any means will be used to destroy them

How did defense experts criticise massive retaliation?

Say it was unrealistic and leave no option but nuclear war to deal with Soviet aggression

What is the roll back policy in USA?

To contain USSR influence and win back lost territory by nuclear weapons and new tech, which reduces military spending drastically and keep defense spending at ½ of congressional budget

What is Brinksmanship?

The idea of being ready to go on the brink of a nuclear war, which is feasible as both sides have hydrogen bombs, which puts humanity at the threat of extinction

What is test ban treaty 1963?

Ban nuclear tests in atmosphere, under water and in outer space

Signed by Britian, USSR, USA

Who rejected the 1963 Test ban treaty

France and China, they developed new nuclear weapons

What is the 1968 non-proliferation treaty?

Pledge to not transfer nuclear weapons to other countries or assist their manufacturing

Signed by USA, USSR and West Germany in 1959

Why did USA and USSR agree to treaties?

Eventually one country might fall off the arms race due to running out of resources, treaties can act as protection

What is mutually assured destruction?

USA shifted its policy to assume that when Russia launches nuclear attacks on it it will also destroy itself

What is Star Wars 1980s?

Reagan administration developing Pershing and Cruise missiles which stationed in Europe, and the SDI

What did Star Wars go against?

SALT which outlaws biological weapons