NUCLEAR WEAPONS

NECESSITY…?

April 1945-FDR dies---Truman takes over

Truman wants war to end ASAP A. Einstein writes letter to president

stating dangers and power of nuclear weapons

Military estimates suggest successful A-bomb attack would save 500,000 lives

US seeks USSR pressure on Japan—little help

WEAPONS ESCALATION

Post WWII— nations begin to develop own

US---1945 USSR--- 1949 UK---1952 FR---1960 CHINA---1964

Based out of fear—competitive

CURRENT STOCKPILES (NWS)

NWS—Nuclear Weapon States : (# warheads)

China--- 240 France--- fewer than 300 UK--- 225 Russia--- 4521 (conflicting estimates) US---- 5113 All NWS are not expected to increase

size of arsenals

NON-NPT STOCKPILES

India---100 Pakistan---90-100 Israel ---- btwn. 75-200

States of Immediate Concern: Iran North Korea Syria

NUCLEAR WEAPONS TIMELINE

NUCLEAR WEAPONS TIMELINE TRINITY AND BEYOND A BOMB FEAR---DUCK AND COVER

NUCLER FEAR

By mid-1960’s knowledge and fear of nuclear weapons was widespread

LIMITS and DISARMAMENT

With increased fear….public began push for greater limits/disarmament

1968-Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Reduced # of weapons arsenals Some nations have abandoned nuclear

weaponprograms/others have defied

“New Start” Treaty signed btwn. US—Russia (2009) Severely reduces the # of arsenals on

both sides by 1,550 warheads or 700 nuclear launchers

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Although US and Russia have made great limits---biggest fear lies primarily in four nations:

Iran—Publicly wishes to have nuclear power---many fear they are developing weapons

Syria---Increased Palestinian/Israeli tensions

Israel---Who will blink first? North Korea—recently deployed long-

range propulsion rockets---where could they reach?

Articles….

Look for articles on any of the four threatening nations’ nuclear plans

Based on what you have seen—what differences do you observe btwn the views of nuclear power in the 1950’s and today. Who do you believe had more to fear?

Why?