The Cold War arms race
I can explain how the arms race led to an increase in Cold War tension between the USA and the USSR.
The Cold War arms race
I can explain how the arms race led to an increase in Cold War tension between the USA and the USSR.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The establishment of NATO (1949) and the Warsaw Pact (1955) divided Europe into two rival alliance systems.
- The American development of the atomic bomb started an arms race between the USA and the USSR.
- In 1953, hopes that new leaders in the USA and USSR would improve relations were short-lived: the arms race continued.
- The development of ICBMs (1957) meant the USA and USSR could fire nuclear weapons at targets in different continents.
- Both the USA and the USSR developed huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons as a form of deterrence.
Common misconception
NATO was established in response to Stalin setting up the Warsaw Pact.
The Warsaw Pact was a response to NATO's formation in April 1949 (following the Berlin Crisis and Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia).
Keywords
Arms race - when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength
Superpower - a country that has great power and influence globally; the USA and USSR were superpowers during the Cold War period
Summit - a meeting between leaders to discuss significant issues or make important decisions
ICBM - intercontinental ballistic missile; missiles that could fire a nuclear warhead at targets in different continents
Deterrence - using the threat of force to prevent something from happening
Content guidance
- 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).
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