The Dangers of Nuclear Proliferation
Chapter 14
I. Proliferation – More states acquiring nuclear weapons
II. Weapon of war
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3 bombs developed in WWII – 1 tested, 2 dropped
Invasion would have been bloodier
Ended war – instilled confidence
Truman saw no political need for them and did not build up
“Baruch plan” – UN would internationalize bomb and share nuclear
tech on a limited, peaceful basis even if USSR vetoed it in UN
F. Soviets, and later US, realize the greater political use of nukes
III. Nuclear Deterrence - Dissuading attacks by showing their high cost
A. Soviets wouldn’t attack Western Europe
B. Believed it would end when Soviets got their bomb
C. US sought thermonuclear bombs and long-range bombers to regain
advantage
D. Debate over whether to send conventional forces (non-nuclear) to
Western Europe or use cheaper nuclear deterrence
E. Extended deterrence – Putting your nuclear umbrella over allies, as in
US promises to NATO
F. France stepped up nukes program when it began to doubt US
willingness to use their own against Soviets
IV. Alliance Building
A. Nukes help countries build alliances as nations sought protection
under extended deterrence
B. Nukes give superpowers access to the foreign policy of allies
V. International Prestige – reputation for being successful
A. Nukes enhance prestige, which increase foreign policy
accomplishments, which produce more prestige
B. Charles De Gaulle sought to earn this for France
C. Gives confidence and pride to own people
VI. Deterrence Reconsidered
A. After Soviets developed their own bomb in 1949:
B. John Foster Dulles – “A Policy of Boldness” – Soviets would not attack
if the US responded vigorously at sites of out choosing.
C. “Massive Retaliation” – US would inflict horrible devastation on the
Soviets if they attacked West – Becomes foreign policy under Eisenhower
and his sec. of state Dulles
D. Nuclear buildup and conventional forces scrapped – too costly
VII. Nuclear Proliferation
A. Britain acquires bomb in 1952
B. France in 1960 – Charles de Gaulle saw political use of nukes. Didn’t
want to rely on US protection.
C. China in 1964 – Had arguments with Soviets and wanted to take a
tougher communist stance
D. India in 1974
E. Israel in 1979?
F. South Africa in 1980s…disassembled in 1991
G. Pakistan in 1998
H. North Korea in 2006
I. Iran?
VIII. Arms Control
A. Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) – 1968 agreement that nuclear power
will not transfer nuke technology and non-nuke power will not acquire it.
B. Arms Control – Limiting of weapons systems, a lesser goal than
disarmament.
C. Benefits:
1. Decrease threats and increase cooperation
2. Enhance deterrence – first strike is limited, but 2nd strike exists
3. Reduce costs
4. Stabilize distribution of power
5. Keep nukes away from terrorists
IX. The Nuclear Proliferators
A. Dangerous proliferation has been attributed to USSR, China, Libya, and
others
X. What Would Happen if Nukes Were Used?
A. Political functions of nukes would end
B. Attacks to disarm countries would become more common
C. Economies would collapse
D. War would escalate
E. Nuclear Decapitation – removal of country’s ability to make and carry
out decisions = anarchy
F. Nuclear winter – climatic disaster
G. Never-ending war – with decapitation who would end it?
XI. Nuclear Doom
A. Reasons for US nuclear deterrence
1. Threats to US and allied security can arise
2. They remain a hedge against Russian reversal of reforms
3. Retaliation against rogue states
B. Best deterrence during the Cold War – CUBA!