2.3 - Conciliation and Confrontation: Nuclear arms race and Cuban Missile Crisis

Chapter 2

How did the shift from the Atomic Bomb (1945) to the Hydrogen Bomb (1953) change the nature of Cold War politics?

It moved the world from "tactical" warfare to the threat of "planetary extinction"; leaders realized traditional war was no longer viable because a fusion bomb was thousands of times more powerful than the Hiroshima fission bomb.

What was the strategic significance of the transition from Bombers to ICBMs (1957)?

It reduced "warning time" from hours to under 30 minutes and eliminated the US mainland’s invulnerability, creating the "Missile Gap" myth and militarizing space.

How does the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) ensure a "Balance of Terror"?

It relies on "Second Strike Capability"—the ability to retaliate even after being hit first—ensuring that if either side pulls the trigger, both sides are certain to be destroyed.

Why did Khrushchev place missiles in Cuba in 1962?

He sought to "even the playing field" by closing the missile gap (responding to US Jupiters in Turkey) and aimed to deter another US attempt to overthrow Castro’s regime after the failed Bay of Pigs.

How did JFK use the concept of "Quarantine" to navigate the doctrine of Brinkmanship?

By choosing a naval "quarantine" rather than a "blockade" (an act of war), he put the burden of escalation on Khrushchev, forcing Soviet ships to decide whether to trigger World War III.

What were the public and private terms that resolved the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Publicly, the USSR dismantled its missiles in Cuba; privately, the US promised not to invade Cuba and secretly agreed to remove its Jupiter missiles from Turkey.

What was the significance of the 1963 "Hotline" (Red Telephone) in crisis management?

It replaced slow encrypted cables with instant communication, acknowledging that miscalculation and diplomatic delay were as dangerous as the nuclear weapons themselves.

How did the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty act as a "symbolic peace offering"?

It was the first successful attempt at arms control, prohibiting tests in the atmosphere, space, and underwater to address global fear of radioactive fallout and slow warhead development.

How did China’s 1964 nuclear test (Project 596) shatter the "Communist Monolith"?

It proved China was a great power independent of Soviet protection and forced the USSR and US to realize they were both now threatened by a nuclear-armed, defiant Mao.

How did the "High Cold War" transition into "Detente" by 1964?

The near-miss of the Cuban crisis led superpowers to value "Stability over Total Victory," creating a managed rivalry governed by "rules," treaties, and direct communication.