Reasons that the an arms race developed between the USA and USSR during the Cold War

2. There were three main
reasons that the arms
race started:
• Fear of future war
• Need to be seen as a
strong leader
• More weapons = more
jobs

3. Fear of future war
A simple reason for
arms race was because
there was fear of
another world war.
Each side wanted to
make sure they could
win such a war.

4. Need to be seen as a
strong leader
Another reason was that
leaders in different
countries wanted to seem
strong and in control.
This was a show for
other countries and
their own people too.

5. More weapons = more jobs
More weapons meant more
jobs – this was
important to both sides.
e.g. Many Americans
worked in Defence,
leading to the military-
industrial complex

6. During the Cold War the
main fear was nuclear
weapons.
These bombs were capable
of killing millions of
people and could have
spelled the end of the
world.
And both sides had them!