The Arms Race:
The arms race between the Western and Eastern Blocs began shortly after the Second World War. Immediately after the end of the Second World War, America and the Soviet Union began to suspect each other of aggressive intents and thus created contingency plans for a future war with the other. Both nations believed that if one nation has a significantly larger armed forces than the other, then the former could win a war over the latter. Therefore, in fear of being outpaced by the other in terms of military growth, both nations embarked on an arms race.
After seeing the devastating effects of the nuclear bomb, the Soviet Union was aware that the United States could potentially use this new weapon against the Soviet Union and its allies. Thus the Soviet Union rushed to develop nuclear weapons of its own. In 1949, the Soviet Union developed and successfully tested its first atomic bomb. Thus the Soviet Union and the United States began a race to create more atomic bombs and enhance the methods of delivering atomic weapons (e.g. using missiles). The arms race was on.
The two power blocs soon built up massive nuclear stockpiles; it became clear that both America and the Soviet Union would be annihilated if nuclear war breaks out between them. This is MAD (mutually assured destruction), the concept of MAD was critical in keeping the two power blocs from going to war with each other, since neither side wished to face massive nuclear retaliatory strikes.
Moreover, in response to new technology such as long range bombers and the ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile), which could be used by the Soviet Union to deliver nuclear warheads on North America, Canada and the United States created the NORAD (North American Defence System) in 1957. The NORAD called for a large number of radar stations to be set up in northern Canada in order to provide the Canadians and Americans with an early warning of Soviet nuclear attacks. Also note that in 1957, the Soviets launched the world's first artificial satellite. This caused the Americans to hasten their own space program. This is now known as the Space Race. The Space Race and the arms race were related to each other in the sense that the Space Race lead to the development of strategically important missiles and satellites which could be used in warfare.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc in the 1980's and 1990's, the arms race largely ended. However, some competition still remained between the various military forces in the world.
After seeing the devastating effects of the nuclear bomb, the Soviet Union was aware that the United States could potentially use this new weapon against the Soviet Union and its allies. Thus the Soviet Union rushed to develop nuclear weapons of its own. In 1949, the Soviet Union developed and successfully tested its first atomic bomb. Thus the Soviet Union and the United States began a race to create more atomic bombs and enhance the methods of delivering atomic weapons (e.g. using missiles). The arms race was on.
The two power blocs soon built up massive nuclear stockpiles; it became clear that both America and the Soviet Union would be annihilated if nuclear war breaks out between them. This is MAD (mutually assured destruction), the concept of MAD was critical in keeping the two power blocs from going to war with each other, since neither side wished to face massive nuclear retaliatory strikes.
Moreover, in response to new technology such as long range bombers and the ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile), which could be used by the Soviet Union to deliver nuclear warheads on North America, Canada and the United States created the NORAD (North American Defence System) in 1957. The NORAD called for a large number of radar stations to be set up in northern Canada in order to provide the Canadians and Americans with an early warning of Soviet nuclear attacks. Also note that in 1957, the Soviets launched the world's first artificial satellite. This caused the Americans to hasten their own space program. This is now known as the Space Race. The Space Race and the arms race were related to each other in the sense that the Space Race lead to the development of strategically important missiles and satellites which could be used in warfare.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc in the 1980's and 1990's, the arms race largely ended. However, some competition still remained between the various military forces in the world.