Superpowers: The Arms Race Superpowers: The Arms Race to Détente (1950’s – 1990’sto Détente (1950’s – 1990’s

Topic BTopic B

Learning Guide 10Learning Guide 10

Q1. Briefly compare & contrast the USA’s nuclear arsenal to that of the former USSR before 1970

• U.S.A• 1945 monopoly on nukes.• 1957 USSR ICBM

Q2. How did weapons production in the USA change after 1970?

• Military spending increased & a change in focus occurred

• A move from building the same weapons repeatedly to innovations in nuclear technology – multi war heads (MIRV’S)

Q3. Use the Chart on pg 152 TCV to help answer questions 1 & 2. Put the chart into you notes.

Q4. Explain the terms and the significance of Salt I. 1972

• A treaty to limit the number of anti ballistic missiles (ABM’S) allowed & the number of offensive weapons (ICBM’S)

• Preserve strategic balance.• ICBM’s were frozen at 1054• Focused on the limitation of strategic weaponry but did

not limit other types of weapons & new technology• Did not stop the arms race

Q5. Why was Salt II never ratified by the American Senate?

• President Ford and Former USSR Premier Brezhnev agree in principle to limit strategic missiles.

• Limits on the number of weapons both sides could build.• invasion of Afghanistan took the focus away.

Helsinki Conference 1975

• 35 European nations + USA & Can. • Recognize Europe's postwar boundaries (USSR)• Soviets pledge support for greater freedoms and

human rights (USA).• Increase cooperation in trade, science and

technology.

Q6. Define the following

Détente:• A policy promoting the relaxation of strained relations or

tensions between nationsMAD:• Mutually Assured DestructionNon Proliferation:• Providing for the stoppage or proliferation of nuclear

arms• Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty July 1, 1968 agreeing

not to assist states not possessing nuclear explosives in obtaining or producing them.

Q7. Explain the Strategic Defense Initiative.

• Star wars project 1984• Implemented by Regan• A defense system designed to protected all U.S.A from

incoming enemy missiles

Q8. Compare defense spending in the USA with that of the former USSR. How did the level of defense spending affect the domestic economy?

USA 5.5% of GNP– Under Regan a increased focus on military development.– Less focus on domestic issues (high inflation – less jobs).

• USSR 13-17% of GNP– USSR ignored consumer goods to build weapons

Mutually Assured Destruction

Q9. What is START?

• Peace Breaks out• Arms control achievements of 1990 – 1991

– The collapse of the USSR– Revolutions in Easter Europe– Dissolution of the Warsaw Pact.– End of the Cold War

• Effective arms control can occur in at least 4 ways.– Reduction– Freeze– Forced restructuring (economic conditions)– Stabilizing measures

Q9

• 1991 START 1 (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty)

• Regan / Gorbachev Bush– 5 months before the collapse of the USSR– Focus to reduce the number of ballistic missiles and nuclear

warheads– Called for the destruction of 6000 Soviet and American nuclear

warheads

Q9.

• START II • Bush – Yeltsin 1993

– Banned the use of MIRVS– Stressing their firm commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

Nuclear Weapons 1968

• 2/3 of nuclear weapons destroyed by 2003• Reduction from 12000 weapons to 3500 by 2003• Extension to Dec.31 2007

• Verification– The process of making sure the terms of the accord are met.

• START was designed with the facilitation of verification in mind.– On-site inspections

– Exchange of data

Barriers to Russian Ratification

• Economic uncertainty • Strategic uncertainty

Q10. Between 1985 & 1989, Gorbachev and Reagan met five times. Make a Chart identifying the location, year and results of each meeting.

1. Nov. 1985 in Geneva Switzerland• Agreed a nuclear war couldn’t be won

2. Reykjavik 1986• Discussion on elimination 50% of strategic missiles &

limiting SDI to testing in laboratory

3. Dec. 1987 (INF treaty)• Signed the 1st treaty on disarmament of Intermediate

Range Nuclear Force Treaty• 1st agreement to eliminate and entire class of nuclear

weapons (medium & Short range missiles)• Destruction of 1600 USSR missiles & 400 American• Onsite verification

Q.10

4. May 1988 Moscow• Discussions on human rights and arms control

5. December 1988 New York• Gorbachev pledges reduction in total Soviet armed

forces by 10%• Withdraw troops in Easter Europe• Reinforced his commitment to Glasnost

Q11. Label the map of the world. Use the countries on pg. 373 of TCV to identify the different categories of nuclear countries.

Q12. Reading is LG: Nuclear Arms Race, Nuclear Proliferation, End of the Cold War