4.2.1
Khrushchev & Kennedy
Attitudes of Khrushchev and Kennedy
Attitudes of Khrushchev and Kennedy
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, no actual war had occurred between the USA and the USSR because both sides realised the need for diplomacy and communication.
Relations between the Cold War leaders
Relations between the Cold War leaders
- It was clear after the Cuban Missile Crisis that both Khrushchev and Kennedy understood each other and had mutual respect for one another.
- This was promising for future negotiations.
- In fact, a ‘hotline’ was installed between the two leaders. In future, they would be able to contact each other immediately.
Changing attitudes
Changing attitudes
- Before the Cuban Missile Crisis, Khrushchev wanted to primarily focus on economic issues within the USSR and peaceful coexistence with the West, despite facing heavy criticism from China that he was being too soft.
- After the crisis, Khrushchev became open to more discussions regarding nuclear weapons and wanted a relationship with the USA that focused on mutual restraint.
Criticism of Kennedy
Criticism of Kennedy
- Khrushchev's policies ended when he was ousted from power in October 1964.
- Kennedy also faced criticism. He was accused of being too weak on communism so, he had to have a strong anti-communist stance in the face of his opposition.
- After the crisis, he was much more open to discussions regarding nuclear weapons with the USSR as he wanted to ultimately reduce nuclear weapons.
- Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963.
Moscow Test Ban Treaty
Moscow Test Ban Treaty
During the 1950s, the Soviets proposed talks about nuclear weapons with the USA.
Changing attitudes to nuclear weapons
Changing attitudes to nuclear weapons
- Officials from both the USA and USSR believed that the nuclear arms race had reached a dangerous level.
- Public protest against the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons had gained strength.
- Talks continued for years amid much tensions and clashes.
- The Americans and British wanted on-site inspections, which the Soviets opposed.
- In 1960, the USA, USSR and Great Britain had seemed close to an agreement, but the shooting down of a U-2 American spy plane over the USSR in May cut short negotiations.
Signing the Moscow Test Ban Treaty
Signing the Moscow Test Ban Treaty
- Finally, in October 1963, the Moscow Test Ban Treaty was signed by the USSR, USA and Great Britain.
- It limited the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, underwater or in any other medium where radioactive debris could spread (although they could still be tested underground).
- France and China refused to sign and continued to carry out above ground testing into the 1990s.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty July 1968
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty July 1968
Nuclear powers relied on Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) as a deterrent against nuclear war. This meant if one side started a nuclear war then the other side would respond and both powers would be destroyed.
Nuclear arms race
Nuclear arms race
- Despite MAD and the Moscow Test Ban Treaty, the USA continued to produce ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) and SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles) during the 1960s.
- By the end of the 1960s the USSR had comparable nuclear strength to the USA.
- The USSR had developed Anti-Ballistic Missiles (ABMs) which could intercept nuclear weapons.
MIRVs
MIRVs
- The USA responded by making MIRVs (Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles). These meant that several nuclear warheads could be carried on one ballistic missile.
- Each MIRV allowed each warhead to travel independent ways to different targets.
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
- In July 1968, the NPT was signed by Britain, the USSR and the USA.
- The NPT was an international treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general disarmament.
- China and France agreed to the terms but didn’t sign the treaty until 1992.
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
Jump to other topics
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
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