1. The Arms Race

2. The race begins…. Both countries began developing their weapons so as to be able to ‘outgun’ their opponents. This meant: developing more powerful weapons Having more of one weapon than the other side WHY NUCLEAR WEAPONS? Cheaper than having a large army Cheaper than having a large army They were a deterrent. The idea was to have so many missiles that they could not all be destroyed. If one side attacked then it knew that the other could retaliate. This was known as MAD – MUTUAL ASSURED DESTRUCTION. They were a deterrent. The idea was to have so many missiles that they could not all be destroyed. If one side attacked then it knew that the other could retaliate. This was known as MAD – MUTUAL ASSURED DESTRUCTION. For some the Arms Race was a test of the strengths of Capitalism v communismFor some the Arms Race was a test of the strengths of Capitalism v communism

3. What the US had 76 IBMs 700 Medium range bombers 1,600 bombers 38,000 Tanks 12 Nuclear submarines 495 Conventional submarines 0 Battleships and cruisers 450 ICBMs (intermediate- range ballistic missile) 250 Medium range missiles 2,260 Bombers 16,000Tanks 32 Nuclear submarines 260 Conventional submarines 76 Battleships and carriers What the Soviets had

4. Dates of the nuclear arms race, 1945 - 1960 1945 – USA tests and drops the first atomic (A) bombs 1949 – USSR tests A bomb 1952 – USA tests its first hydrogen (H) bomb (hydrogen is 2,500 times more powerful then the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.) 1953 – USSR tests its first H bomb 1957 – USSR 1. tests ICBM capable of carrying an H bomb from USSR to USA 2. puts the space satellite ‘Sputnik’ into orbit.

5. 1958 – USA 1.Places IRBMs targeted on USSR in NATO countries. Both sides could now launch direct attacks on each others’ cities 2.Launches its own satellite 1960 – USA launches first nuclear powered submarine capable of firing a Polaris missile with an atomic warhead from underwater

6. The Arms Race: A “Missile Gap?” }The Soviet Union exploded its first A-bomb in 1949. }Now there were two nuclear superpowers!

7. Statement by President Truman, September 23, 1949 “I believe the American people to the fullest extent consistent with the national security are entitled to be informed of all developments in the field of atomic energy. That is my reason for making public the following information.We have evidence that within recent weeks an atomic explosion occurred in the U. S. S. R.Ever since atomic energy was first released by man, the eventual development of this new force by other nations was to be expected.This probability has always been taken into account by us.” “I believe the American people to the fullest extent consistent with the national security are entitled to be informed of all developments in the field of atomic energy. That is my reason for making public the following information.We have evidence that within recent weeks an atomic explosion occurred in the U. S. S. R.Ever since atomic energy was first released by man, the eventual development of this new force by other nations was to be expected.This probability has always been taken into account by us.

8. · In 1949, the U.S. learned that the Soviet Union also possessed atomic weapons. http://www.yout ube.com/watch? v=Bz3t4LcXwtE

11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixy5FBLnh7o

12. Barry McGuire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWDVl- QgM7M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWDVl- QgM7M

13. The Space Race Competition Khrushchev keen to compete Show Communist technology to be superior Increase Soviet prestige Sputnik launched in 1957 USA failed to launch their satellite until 1958 Race would continue until 1980’s

14. 1957 Sputnik – first satellite Score 1 for Soviets !

15. The serious side was…. That a rocket that could launch a satellite could also launch a nuclear warhead at a target. So space developments led to rapid advances in nuclear weapons. By 1960 each side had the nuclear capability to destroy the earth In 1961 Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut was the first man to orbit the earth – the Soviets had the lead. For Khrushchev it was a triumph for communism

16. First man in space Score: USA – 0 Soviets - 2

17. Apollo program USA spent the 60s trying to catch up to the Soviets.

18. Armstrong lands on moon!