Impact of Nuclear Weapons on Diplomacy Flashcards

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How did nuclear weapons change diplomacy after 1945?

Leaders knew a big war could destroy whole cities. They became more careful in talks and tried to avoid direct war.

The USA felt stronger because it had the bomb. It pushed its ideas harder and was less willing to compromise with the USSR.

Stalin feared the USA might use the bomb on the USSR. This fear made him more suspicious and tougher in his foreign policy.

Nuclear deterrence is the idea that nuclear weapons stop enemies attacking. Both sides fear the damage the weapons could cause.

MAD means both sides could destroy each other with nuclear weapons. This made both superpowers avoid starting a direct war.

Brinkmanship is pushing a crisis to the edge of war. Leaders hoped the other side would back down first because of nuclear fear.

NATO was formed in 1949 to defend Western countries. The USA’s nuclear weapons were seen as a shield for its allies.

They avoided fighting each other directly because of nuclear risk. Instead, they often backed other countries in local or proxy wars.

Both Kennedy and Khrushchev knew a nuclear war would be deadly. This fear pushed them to make a deal and remove the missiles.

Leaders saw that an endless nuclear build-up was very dangerous. They began talks to limit some nuclear missiles and reduce the risk of war.