ARMS RACE TO SPACE RACE

The U.S. developed the atom bomb in the 1940’s and used it twice.

The soviets exploded their bomb in 1949. The U.S. exploded a Hydrogen bomb (H-

bomb) in 1952. It was 30’ tall and weighed 5,000 tons.

Soviets 1st H-Bomb came in 1953. Their delivery systems weren’t very accurate so they opted for bigger bombs.

The biggest bomb they built was called TZAR BOMBA.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ICBM These are a new type of rocket that will

deliver bombs. They are intended to go from continent to continent.

Hitler was trying to build these at the end of WWII.

By 1957 we could shoot a rocket 2,000 miles. The Soviets could shoot one 4,000 miles.

Bigger rockets were built to shoot bombs further.

Rockets got big enough to shoot a satellite into orbit around the earth.

1957 – The Soviet put Sputnik into orbit. The arms race has now moved into space.

The U.S. puts their first satellite up in 1958.

In the space race, the soviets were first in satellite, animal, man, woman, 2 people, docking and 3 people in space.

The U.S. was first on the moon.

October 1962 – U2 flights over Cuba take pictures of missiles being installed.

Kennedy calls advisors to discuss choices.1. Bomb all of Cuba2. Invade Cuba / capture missiles.3. Strategic bombing4. Blockade the island

Best choice was to blockade the island and not allow any more weapons to come in.

Soviets agree to pull missiles out of Cuba if we take missiles from Turkey.

How we prepare at home -