1. THE U2 CRISIS and THE SPACE RACE

2. Space Race – Arms Race!

3. 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

4. Why was there a nuclear arms race? 450 ICBMs- Intercontinental Ballistic Missile 250 Medium range missiles 2,260 Bombers 16,000Tanks 32 Nuclear submarines 260 Conventional submarines 76 Battleships and carriers 76 ICBMs 700 Medium range bombers 1,600 bombers 38,000 Tanks 12 Nuclear submarines 495 Conventional submarines 0 Battleships and cruisers

5. 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 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.

6. 1958 – USA 1.Places IRBMs (Intermediate Ranged Missiles- travel 3,000 miles) 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

7. The failure of disarmament Both sides hoped for arms reductions to cut defence spending Both sides hoped for arms reductions to cut defence spending After Stalin’s (1953) death East-West relations had improved After Stalin’s (1953) death East-West relations had improved USSR proposed: USSR proposed: –reduction of armed forces –Eventual abolition of atomic weapons –International inspections to supervise this

8. The USA…. Wanted strong inspection system Wanted strong inspection system Proposed ‘open skies’ – openly photograph each others sites from planes Proposed ‘open skies’ – openly photograph each others sites from planes USSR rejected this USSR rejected this USA rejected initial USSR proposals USA rejected initial USSR proposals Stalemate Stalemate Attempts again failed at the 1960 Paris Summit due to the U2 incident. (which we will talk about) Attempts again failed at the 1960 Paris Summit due to the U2 incident. (which we will talk about)

9. THE SPACE RACE

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

11. The serious side was…. That a rocket that could launch a satellite could also launch a nuclear warhead at a target. 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. So space developments led to rapid advances in nuclear weapons. By 1960 each side had the nuclear capability to destroy the earth 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 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

12. Khrushchev said ‘ The Sputniks prove that communism has won the competition between communist and capitalist countries. The economy, science, culture and the creative genius of people in all areas of life develop better and faster under communism.’

13. U2 1960 1960 USSR rejected US proposal of “open skies” USSR rejected US proposal of “open skies” U2 was a spy plane – that was what it was developed for U2 was a spy plane – that was what it was developed for Able to fly 3,600 miles high Able to fly 3,600 miles high Could take photos of Soviet bomber bases and missile sites Could take photos of Soviet bomber bases and missile sites

14. Events May 1- U2 plane piloted by Gary Powers shot down by Soviet missile over Russia May 1- U2 plane piloted by Gary Powers shot down by Soviet missile over Russia May 5 – Eisenhower denied it was spying May 5 – Eisenhower denied it was spying May 7 – Khrushchev says Powers to be charged with spying May 7 – Khrushchev says Powers to be charged with spying May 11 – Eisenhower admits U2 was on spying mission May 11 – Eisenhower admits U2 was on spying mission May 14 – Khrushchev demands apology and cancelling of all U2 flights May 14 – Khrushchev demands apology and cancelling of all U2 flights May 16 – U2 flights cancelled – no apology – Khrushchev walks out of Paris Summit May 16 – U2 flights cancelled – no apology – Khrushchev walks out of Paris Summit

15. Results Paris summit abandoned – hopes on disarmament dashed Paris summit abandoned – hopes on disarmament dashed Khrushchev showed Communist world he could be tough Khrushchev showed Communist world he could be tough Powers sentenced to ten years. Swapped for Soviet spy after 17 months Powers sentenced to ten years. Swapped for Soviet spy after 17 months Cold War attitudes hardened again Cold War attitudes hardened again