Keyword Recap Yellow Post it Note – Define the keyword Nuclear Warfare and give an example of a time a nuclear bomb has been used Pink Post it Note – Define the term Nuclear Proliferation and give three examples of countries that have nuclear weapons Green Post it Note – Define the term Disarmament and give one argument in favour of this Orange Post it Note – Define the term Deterrence and give one argument in favour of this

Nuclear Weapons Learning Objective: Should Britain update its nuclear weapons? I can form my own opinion on whether Britain should update their nuclear weapons I can provide evidence and examples to support my opinion I can evaluate whether Britain should update its nuclear weapons

Nuclear Weapons in Britain Trident is the name given to Britain’s nuclear weapon’s arsenal. Next year Britain will decide whether to build a new generation of nuclear missile submarines.

Nuclear Weapons in Britain The current submarines each carry up to 16 missiles, and each missile can carry up to 12 warheads. Each warhead has a maximum explosive yield of 100 kilotons (the equivalent of 100,000 tons of TNT). That’s about six times as powerful as the bomb which destroyed Hiroshima. A 100kt bomb detonated in the air over central London would probably kill about 250,000 people, almost instantly. One Vanguard-class submarine, carrying 16 missiles with 12 warheads each, could therefore destroy 48 cities.

Nuclear Weapons in Britain At least one nuclear submarine is constantly on patrol. According to the Royal Navy, the Trident missile has a range of 4,000 nautical miles, or 7,500km. The cost of replacing the submarines is expected to be up to £26 billion over the lifetime of the project. Only the prime minster has the authority to order the launch of nuclear weapons. When a new prime minister is elected, they give the commanders of each of the four submarines a sealed letter, known as the letter of last resort.

Key Question… Should Britain update it’s nuclear weapons? A = Yes we should update our weapons and create new ones B = No, we should keep and maintain the ones we have but we don’t need to create new weapons C = No, we should disarm and get rid of our nuclear weapons altogether

Stations Key Question: Should Britain update it’s nuclear weapons? To help you make your decision you are going to explore three stations. You need to: Read through the information as a group Write down one argument for and one against replacing Trident Write down something you found interesting

Station 1 - Hiroshima

Half Time Thoughts Have you heard something that makes you think differently? What is the most interesting thing you have found out so far? Have you heard anything that makes you think more strongly? What would you need to discover in the next stations to change your mind?

Final Thoughts Who has changed their thinking this lesson? Why? Who has developed their ideas this lesson? Who has been surprised by something they have learned this lesson?