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Soviets Explode Atomic Bomb
After the United States had developed their own atomic bomb, the Soviets did too. This was with the help of Klaus Fuchs, who shared the nuclear secrets to the Soviets. He was later arrested for treason. This atomic bomb was staged in an area with buildings and animals, but no civilians, so they could test the bomb. The bomb destroyed all of the buildings and incinerated the animals. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviets-explode-atomic-bomb -
US Creates and Tests First Hydrogen Bomb
The US created and tested the first hydrogen bomb in 1952. They did this in response to the Soviets detonating their own atomic device in 1949. This bomb was 1,000 times more powerful than any other atomic device out there. Later, in the 1970's, the Soviets created their own hydrogen bomb, and by this time 7 nations had their own. This caused the arms race to keep pushing forward. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-tests-first-hydrogen-bomb -
Soviets Launch Sputnik I
Sputnik I was a satellite that was launched into space by the Soviets in October of 1957. Americans were frightened because the Soviets had advanced farther than the Americans with this technology. Americans also despised Eisenhower because they let the US fall so far behind. This then caused Eisenhower to speed up the space program. This eventually led to the Space Race. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviet-union-launches-sputnik-i -
Armstrong Walks on the Moon
In July of 1969, Neil Armstrong walked on the surface of the moon. This was made possible by over 400,000 American engineers. While he and Aldrin were on the moon, they took pictures and did scientific tests. After spending the night on the moon, they went back to earth and safely landed in the Pacific Ocean. The Americans had beat the Soviets to the moon. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/armstrong-walks-on-moon -
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT)
This treaty was between the United States and the Soviet Union. This treaty was put into effect because of the increasing number of weapons in each country. There were two main points: the first being that the number of ABMs in each country was limited to 2, and intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles was what they already had. In 1972, the Senate approved of the agreements, hoping to control nuclear warfare forever.
