Living with the Bomb: America and the Cold War 1945-1960 1. After the US dropped atomic bombs on Japan, the Soviet Union feared the US would use nuclear weapons against them and began developing their own nuclear program. The US in turn feared the Soviets acquiring nuclear weapons. 2. Both sides engaged in dangerous brinksmanship, increasing their nuclear stockpiles until they had enough weapons to destroy the world many times over through mutually assured destruction. 3. The Cold War was fought through proxy wars like the Chinese Civil War and Korean War, as well as espionage as both sides spied on each other's nuclear programs and capabilities.

1. Living with the BombAmerica and the Cold War1945 – 1960

2. I. Living with FearA. Soviet Union1. Stalin shocked by Truman’s use of nuclear weapons against Japan (1945)a. Afraid Truman would next use nuclear force against Soviet Union2. Wanted equivalent weapons as soon as possiblea. Had own nuclear development program by 1944b.Had spies in US nuclear development program (Manhattan Project)

3. I. Living with FearB. United States1. Afraid USSR would acquire nuclear weaponsa. Wanted to be the only country with nuclear capability2. Afraid Soviets would use nuclear weapons to expand communism

4. II. BrinksmanshipA. Term coined by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles1. Pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster so maximum advantage can be achieveda. “Playing a game of ‘chicken’”2. Led to increasing nuclear stockpiles on both sidesa. Eventually both sides had enough weapons to destroy the world many times overb. Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

5. III. Fighting a Cold WarA. Proxy wars 1. Use smaller, non-nuclear capable groups fighting each other as proxies a. Chinese Civil War (1945-49) b. Korean War (1949-1953) c. Vietnam War (1954-1975)

6. III. Fighting a Cold WarB. Espionage (spying)1. Soviets had spies in USa. Ethel & Julius Rosenburg tried and executed for giving USSR military secrets including the atomic bomb (1953)

7. III. Fighting a Cold WarB. Espionage (spying)2. United States used planes such as U-2 to spy on Sovietsa. Soviets shot one piloted by Capt. Francis Gary Powers (1960)b. Incident was embarrassing for Eisenhower administration

8. IV. The Cold War at HomeA. Americans frightened by Communism and possible nuclear war with USSR 1. Politicians attempted to capitalize on fear by accusing many people of being Communists a. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigated entertainment industry (1947-1961) 1’. Many actors, directors, writers blacklisted b. Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-WI) used his position as a senator to accuse many people of being Communists

9. V. McCarthyismA. The practice of accusing people of disloyalty or treason without proper evidenceB. Term came about because of Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s accusations against1. Army2. Presidents Truman and Eisenhower3. Hundreds of AmericansC. Finally discredited by Edward R. Murrow

10. VI. Duck and Cover