Nuclear Weapons and the Space Race Nuclear Technology

Nuclear Weapons and the Space Race

Nuclear Technology • Allied scientists conduct research, code named the Manhattan Project, and successfully tested the first atomic bomb in New Mexico in July 1945. • August 6 1945—Hiroshima is bombed – Flattened 4 square miles and killed 70, 000 instantly – Many more would die from radiation sickness • August 8 1945—Nagasaki is bombed – 40, 000 killed in explosion • Reasoning behind the bombings: – Save American lives and quick end to the war

US Program Post WWII • Destruction in Japan had been worse than expected, especially radiation sickness afterwards. – Death toll: Hiroshima-135, 000 Nagasaki-50, 000 • “An evaluation of the atom bomb as a military weapon” – Report, written by generals, to the Joint Chiefs – Dangerous nature of the weapon – Reluctance to use it in the future – However, with the Soviet Union producing their own weapon the program could not be abandoned.

The Arms Race • 1949—The Soviet Union develops nuclear weapons • 1953—both sides develop hydrogen bombs that were more destructive than atomic bombs. • Nuclear weapons could destroy both sides, but each side wanted to be able to deter the other from launching its nuclear weapons. • A race to match each other’s new weapons.

• Result: Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) – Each side knew that the other side would itself be destroyed if it launched nuclear weapons. – This ended up discouraging nuclear war. • But. . . People lived in constant fear of a nuclear attack.

Mutual Assured Destruction

Bomb Shelters

Duck and Cover http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=cy. OXMIZ 7 Mp. Y&safety_mode=t rue&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

The Space Race

THE COLD WAR TAKES TO THE SKIES • The Space Race was initially dominated by the Soviets • On October 4, 1957, they launched Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite – Sputnik traveled around earth at 18, 000 miles an hour, circling the globe every 96 minutes • 1969—The US Apollo program landed the first man on the moon. • Both superpowers explored the military uses of space and set up spy satellites

U-2 PLANES SPY ON SOVIETS • In the late 1950 s, the CIA began secret high -altitude spy missions over Soviet territory • The U-2’s infra-red cameras took detailed pictures of Soviet troop movements & missile sites

U-2 SPY PLANE SHOT DOWN OVER USSR • On May 1, 1960, Gary Power’s U-2 spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory • Powers parachuted into Soviet territory, was captured and sentenced to 10 -years in prison Powers was released in 1962 in exchange for convicted Soviet spy Rudolph Abel • Because of this incident, the 1960 s opened with tension between the two superpowers as great as ever

Nuclear Weapons Spread • 1962—Cuban Missile Crisis brings US and USSR to brink of nuclear war. – Helps usher in a period of Détente: diplomatic means rather than military (relaxed tension) – Ended 1979 • Late 1960’s—Britain, France, and China had developed nuclear weapons. • 1968—nations signed the Nuclear Non. Proliferation Treaty (NPT) agreeing not to develop nuclear weapons or to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

Limiting Nuclear Testing • 1969—US and USSR began Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) – Goal: limit # of nuclear weapons on each side – Agreements signed in 1972 and 1979 setting limits. • Anti-Ballistic Missiles limited by SALT – Thought that protection might encourage the protected side to attack. • Both sides signed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in 1991.

Nuclear Arms Race http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=LLCF 7 v. Panr. Y&safety_mod e=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active