Arms Race
The arms race was the result of the US and the Soviet Union both wanting to have better weapons and to be better prepared for war. It created much fear in both the governments and the citizens of both countries. The US created the first atomic bomb, Fat Man, with the Manhattan Project. They then dropped two atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan. The Soviet Union replied quickly, and began testing their bombs in August of 1949. The US then started testing hydrogen bombs, starting with Ivy Mike in 1952. They were much more powerful than the atomic bombs.
The Soviet Union responded in 1957 by testing the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, the ICBM. It was used for extreme conditions. The United States then came up with their first ICBM, the Atlas Missile, also in 1957. The Minutemen Missile came next from the US. It had a fast reaction time. The United States and Russia still have nuclear bombs today. The US has around 7,700 and Russia has around 8,500.
The Soviet Union responded in 1957 by testing the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, the ICBM. It was used for extreme conditions. The United States then came up with their first ICBM, the Atlas Missile, also in 1957. The Minutemen Missile came next from the US. It had a fast reaction time. The United States and Russia still have nuclear bombs today. The US has around 7,700 and Russia has around 8,500.
Countries with Nuclear Weapons Today
Many countries possess nuclear weapons today, and many advancements have been made since the days of the Cold War.