The nuclear arms race
I can assess the key events and significance of the nuclear arms race.
The nuclear arms race
I can assess the key events and significance of the nuclear arms race.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The development of the atomic bomb triggered a nuclear arms race.
- The USA and USSR competed to develop larger and more powerful nuclear weapons.
- By 1961, both superpowers had the ability to destroy the world many times over.
- Mutually Assured Destruction suggested nuclear weapons deterred war.
- The nuclear arms race became increasingly focused on deterrence.
Common misconception
Everybody agreed the possession of nuclear weapons made the world more dangerous.
Many people argued that as the US and USSR both possessed nuclear weapons this deterred them from going to war with one another - otherwise they woudl afce mutually assured destruction.
Keywords
Monopoly - when only one person or country has control over something
Arms race - the situation in which two or more countries try to have more and stronger weapons than each other
Armageddon - a catastrophic conflict, especially one seen as likely to destroy the world or the human race
Missile gap - the fear of US government officials that Soviet development and production of missile technology had overtaken the USA's
Deterrence - an action or system intended to prevent or discourage someone from doing something
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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