The Nuclear Arms Race : The Cold War Between The United States

When President Truman authorized the use of two nuclear weapons in 1945 against the Japanese in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II, the nature of international security was changed irreversibly. At that time, the United States had what was said to have a monopoly of atomic bombs. Soon thereafter, the Soviet Union began working on atomic weaponry. In 1949, it had already detonated it first atomic bomb and tensions began to heat up between the two countries. With the information that the Soviets had tested their first bomb, the United States began work on more powerful weapons1, and a fight for nuclear superiority had begun.

Since the invention of nuclear weapons, they have presented the world with a significant danger, one that was shown in reality during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, nuclear weapons have not only served in combat, but they have also played a role in keeping the world peaceful by the concept of deterrence. The usage of nuclear weapons would lead to mutual destruction and during the Cold War, nuclear weapons were necessary to maintain international security, as a means of deterrence. However, by the end of the Cold War, reliance on nuclear weapons for maintaining peace became increasingly difficult and less effective (Shultz, et. al, 2007). The development of technology has also provided increasing opportunities for states

Harry Truman (1884-1972) was the most influential person in the race for the super bomb. As President Roosevelt’s Vice President, he knew nothing about the development of the atomic bomb. But within months of assuming the office of President of the United States on April 12, 1945, he became the first and only American leader to authorize the use of atomic weapons against an enemy target. Truman’s era only marked the beginning of the race for nuclear weapons. The development of nuclear weapons is still an issue today, decades after Truman left office.

“The Evil Empire” — that is what, at the height of the arms race, United States President Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union (Rudolph 1). Unsurprisingly, the Soviet Union was similarly upset at the United States. This anger is what fueled the arms race. During the Cold War, due to fears of nuclear attack, the US and Soviet Union designed and deployed thousands of nuclear warheads, each hoping to deter the other from nuclear launch with threat of counter attack (O’Neal 1). This massive arms buildup, however, had many negative effects on the US. To recognize the impact that the arms race continues to have on today, it is crucial to understand not only its causes, but also its immediate impacts on the US economy, society, foreign

After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers and subsequently a period of tension and hostility arose, known as the Cold War. During this time, a new possibility of complete nuclear destruction that would claim the lives of many emerged, therefore “the easing or relaxing of tensions” on both sides was needed, this period would be known as detente. Both countries had been guaranteed mutually assured destruction as they had both managed to stay ahead in the development of nuclear arsenals. By the late 1960s the Soviets had surpassed the United States in intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) by 1,300 to 1,054. Although the U.S was still ahead

The Cold War was a significant time for the United States and the Soviet Union, while the rest of the world watched intently. Although no actual war took place, both of these powerful countries did their best to promote their political and ideological ideas while trying to gain some ground in the seemingly never ending arms race. This war was driven by both fear and the strive to become the strongest and most powerful country. During the time of the Cold War, the United States proved to be a strong influence over Canada. Given its location, it was obvious as to which side Canada was on. While Canada believed in the same ideologies as the US, this nation was still reluctant to fully emerge themselves into the hysteria that had been emerging in the US. However, even though Canada had just received world recognition for its contribution during the Second World War, this large yet acutely populated country had much still to prove. During this time, Canada just recently became a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). But while Canada was making huge steps in their peacekeeping and military growth, there were still rumours of espionage circling the country.

All through the Cold War the United States attempted to contain or squash developments that it saw as dangers to American financial or security objectives, in Europe, in Asia, in different parts of the alleged Third World, and at home. Communists, patriots, individual voyagers, neutralists, and activists for popular government and human rights, at different times, felt American rage in the half-century after 1945. In no spot, be that as it may, did American exertions to attest its hobbies and impede the will of the local populace happen as seriously or shockingly as in Vietnam. Despite the fact that a little, immature nation which has been subjected to violence and resistance through the years, not to

This article attempts to highlight the facts, as well as falsities during the course of World War II that have been portrayed throughout history. Author John W. Dower does this by explaining key occurrences such as the dropping of the two atomic bombs, political relations, and most importantly, the beginning of the nuclear arms race. The initial discussion takes place with the question of why is there is a controversy now, many years after these events have occurred. Dower looks to bluntly interpret his thoughts on that issue, by claiming the United States was to blame for everything. To be more precise, now that Truman and his successors has allowed this firestorm to begin, how can one assume they will be able to put it out? This idea, along

The United States and Soviet Union faced off to see who could spread their ideology the most in Europe. The Soviet Union used force and supported coups to spread communism while the United States installed democratic governments as a way to counter communism in Eastern Europe. These small conflicts that the two superpowers engaged in caused high tension between the two. During World War 2, the U.S developed the world 's first nuclear weapon, the atomic bomb which was a destructive explosive capable of wiping cities. The destruction can be seen from the result of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki leaving over hundreds of thousands dead. It wasn’t until years later that the Soviet Union would start developing nuclear warheads as well.

World War II ended suddenly as America destroyed two Japanese cities not with traditional strategic bombing, yet with the extremely powerful atomic bombs. As a result of dropping the atomic bombs, the world was thrust into the nuclear age. Just a few short years after World War II, the Korean War started. The Korean War challenged many assumptions held about war within a nuclear era. Three of the assumptions challenged were that nuclear weapons would deter war, that war would not be limited, and finally, that the Soviet Union would be America’s next military enemy.

One of the primary contributing factors in the evolution of fear and anxiety that ledd to and sustained the Cold War was the development of military technology. The dropping of the initial atomic bombs in japan, a closely guarded secret at the time, led to fear among the Russian and American citizens. The Russians anxiety was more severe than the Americans as they feared that Russia was the next ideological enemy of the United States and could be the next one to be bombed. The Americans fear was rooted in the fact that such destructive technology even existed; it was shocking that this power could be possessed and it was very probable that it could be used by the other nations against them. Although, the bombs true power was in its psychological value not its explosive force. This fear led to tension between the countries, the sense that no one knew who would attack first and if one country attacked it would lead to nuclear winter.(Caldwell 21) The development of the nuclear bomb was a dangerous item of fear for the U.S. and almost worked as a tool of brinksmanship. The American citizens believed that they had at least a 20 year advantage over the Soviets until, in 1949, the Soviets dropped their first bomb. The shock that the Russians were so close behind the Americans led to the United States’ development of the hydrogen bomb.(Bialer 43) After the initial development of nuclear bombs, the U.S. felt the need to strive towards ever greater destructive power. The ensuing

The Cold war dated from 1947-1991. It was characterized by both political and military superiority between United States, which was backed by its NATO allies, and Soviet Union that led the communist side. The cold war was mainly started after the success of the alliance that was formed against Nazi Germany. This competition supremacy on nuclear warfare attracted other countries that also started making nuclear weapons due to the tension that existed in the world. Both sides directed huge sums of money to their military budgets with each side trying to outdo the other.

The development of nuclear weapons helped to end World War II, but in turn created their own war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The development of modified military missiles such as the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM, by Americans and the Soviets, had an impact on the struggle of power of the Cold War. The importance of military involvement in the creation of modified missiles and engines were critical events of the Cold War. Additionally, the steps taken to get to space were a byproduct of this Arms Race and the Cold War. Because the United States and the Soviet Union feared what the other country would or could do with weapons of mass destruction and the thought of the opposing country being able to control

The classical nuclear deterrence strategy used during the Cold War would require some modifications in order to be effective against non-state actors in the 21st century. The United States and the Soviet Union had enough nuclear weapons between the two superpowers that deterred both from using. This was because it would not be beneficial socially or economically for either in the long-term. Non-state actors are not equal in most respects to state actors and sometimes considered “not deterrable” , so therefore a modified approach may prove more effective.

Although nuclear weapons were last used in WW2, research and development of nuclear weapons have still been on-going and progressing rapidly since the initiation of the first nuclear project in 1942. However, current states that are in possession of such Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) to deter threats from other Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS), and to avoid an all out nuclear war, in particularly during the Cold War. Today, several noted groups and individuals supporting the abolition of nuclear weapons have revived the debate, and revaluate the roles of such weapons in the modern security environment of today. Individuals and groups such as several retired military officers who once held the highest “nuclear commands” during and after the Cold