Cold War: Thinking the Unthinking. Lesson Objectives Build a foundation for understanding the genesis, issues, and strategies of the Cold War. Understand

Cold War: Thinking the Unthinking

Lesson Objectives

• Build a foundation for understanding the genesis, issues, and strategies of the Cold War.

• Understand the strategy of containment and become familiar with the conflicts and confrontations that resulted.

• Be able to describe and discuss the concepts of countervalue and counterforce targeting.

• Begin to understand the concept of deterrence in the Cold War.

• Understand the impact of the Cold War nuclear standoff on US society.

Nuclear Forces & Strategies

NSC-68April 14, 1950

Classified National Security Council document

Full analysis of US-USSR relationship

Defined initial US Cold War strategy:

Containment

Implemented the Truman Doctrine

Note: Korean War began June 25, 1950

Impact of NSC-68

Immediate increase in defense spending

Demonstrated American commitment to win the Cold War

FY 1950: Defense budget $14.1 billion33% of national budget, 5% 0f GNP

FY 1951: Defense budget $33.6 billion 73% of national budget, 10% 0f GNP

Source

http://bedfordstmartins.com/historymodules/modules/mod32/frameset.htm

Impact of NSC-68

Source

http://maxspeak.org/gm/archives/00001146.html

US Cold War Policy

Stem the tide of worldwide Soviet expansionism

Insure security of Europe through a strong NATO

Prevent global nuclear war through deterrence

• Emphasis on defense

Colonel John Osgood, USA, RetiredUnited States Nuclear Strategy 1945-1995

US Cold War Policy

Stem the tide of worldwide Soviet expansionism

Insure security of Europe through a strong NATO

Prevent global nuclear war through deterrence

• Emphasis on defense


Nuclear Targeting Theories

Counterforce

Countervalue

: target warfighting capability

: target cities and industry

Nuclear Targeting Strategies

Truman: Countervalue

• US had nuclear monopoly, then preeminence

• Believed nuclear weapons most valuable against cities


Eisenhower: Counterforce

• Soviet nuclear weapons became a concern

• Massive retaliation was public doctrine

Kennedy/Johnson: Flexible Response

• Public face: assured destruction (countervalue)

• Counterforce (war fighting) retained as an option


Nixon: Counterforce

• Publicly promoted position

• Developed warfighting weapons (MIRV, ABM)


Carter: Counterforce

• Pursued decapitation strategy (targeted C3, leadership)

Regan/Bush: Counterforce

• Combined counterforce and strategic defense

• Blended arms negotiations (SALT) with SDI

Implementing the Strategy

Initially: World War II technology

B-29 SuperfortressImplosion type A-bombs

B-50 Superforress

Combat Radius:

B-29 - 1,800 nm

B-50 - 2,050 nm

Later:

Both required forward basing

Strategic Bombers

B-36 Peacemaker

Max Weight: 410,000 lbs

Radius: 3,750 nm w/ 10,000 lbs bomb load

Strategic Bombers

Comparison of Bombers

B-17

B-29

B-36

Strategic Bombers

B-47 Stratojet


Radius: 2,050 nm

Aerial refueling from KC-97

Takeoff clip

LABS* Maneuver

Over 2,000 built by Boeing, Douglas, Lockheed

* Low Altitude Bombing System

Strategic Bombers

B-52 Stratofortress


Radius: 3,750 nm w/ 10,000 lbs bomb load

YB-52 prototype (1952)

B-52G

744 built

B-52H models (delivered 1963) still flying

Soviet Bombers

Tu-4 Bull

Copy of US B-29

Soviet Special Weapon (?)

Chinese-operated Tu-4 with turboprop engines and Chinese copy of US AQM-34 Firebee UAV

Soviet Bombers

Tu-95 Bear


Radius: 7,600 nm

FAS

Soviet Bombers

M-4 Bison

Max Weight: 365,000 lbs.

Radius: 2,500 nm

Cold War Timeline

9 Sep 48

4 Apr 49

11 May 49

29 Aug 49

12 Jan 50

14 Feb 50

14 Apr 50

25 Jun 50

Stalin declares PDRK legitimate government of all Korea

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established

Berlin Blockade lifted

Soviet Union detonates first nuclear device

Sec State Acheson speech omits Korea as US interest area

USSR & PRC sign mutual defense pact

NSC-68: Blueprint for containment strategy

North Korea (PDRK) invades South Korea (ROK)

Cold War Timeline

9 Sep 48

4 Apr 49

11 May 49

29 Aug 49

12 Jan 50

Stalin declares PDRK legitimate government of all Korea

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established

Berlin Blockade lifted

Soviet Union detonates first nuclear device

Sec State Acheson speech omits Korea as US interest area

.

14 Feb 50

14 Apr 50

25 Jun 50

.




31 Jan 50 Truman announces US intent to develop hydrogen bomb14 Feb 50

14 Apr 50

25 Jun 50




Cold War Timeline

31 Jan 50 Truman announces US intent to develop hydrogen bomb

Nuclear War Branch

These two events take on new significance when considered together

14 Apr 50 NSC-68: Blueprint for containment strategy

Cold War Timeline


Nuclear War Branch

Two events drove this decision

• Soviet detonation of a nuclear device (29 Aug 49)

Concerned US might be overtaken in a nuc arms race

It is part of my responsibility as Commander in Chief of the Armed forces to see to it that our country is able to defend itself against any possible aggressor. Accordingly, I have directed the AEC to continue its work on all forms of atomic weapons, including the so-called hydrogen or Super bomb.

President Harry S. Truman, 31 January 1950

nuclearweaponarchive.org

• Discovery of a Soviet spy at Los Alamos (Klaus Fuchs)

Cold War Timeline


Nuclear War Branch

Two events drove this decision

• Soviet detonation of a nuclear device (29 Aug 49)

Concerned US might be overtaken in a nuc arms race

It is part of my responsibility as Commander in Chief of the Armed forces to see to it that our country is able to defend itself against any possible aggressor. Accordingly, I have directed the AEC to continue its work on all forms of atomic weapons, including the so-called hydrogen or Super bomb.

President Harry S. Truman, 31 January 1950



• Discovery of a Soviet spy at Los Alamos (Klaus Fuchs)

Cold War Timeline


Nuclear War Branch

NSC-68 and resulting spending increase largely the result of decision to develop H-bomb


Cold War Timeline


Nuclear War Branch


1 Nov 52 First thermonuclear device detonated, Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands

Mike ShotOperation Ivy series

November 1, 1952

First hydrogen bomb - 10.4 megatons

FireballMushroom cloud


A-bomb Mechanics

Nuclear “Pit”

H-bomb MechanicsPhysics Package

H-bomb Mechanics

W53 (9 MT) Physics Package


November 1, 1952

Video

First Thermonuclear (Fusion) Device

10 MT


November 1, 1952


Elugelab Island, site of “Mike”device

Before After

Thermonuclear Breakthrough

“Mike” test and subsequent work in the next four years led to the development and fielding of significantly smaller, more powerful weapons

Mk 17 - 15 MT (1955)W-38 - 3.75 MT (1961)

Mk 4 RV (re-entry vehicle

Nuclear “Progress”

Nuclear Weapons

Mk 39 - 4 MT Mk 41 - 25 MT

Highest yield US weapon

Nuclear Weapons

Mk 28 - variable yield

70 KT - 1.45 MT

Nuclear Weapons

Soviet 100 MT bomb (rear) and 152 mm artillery shell (front)

Nuclear Weapons

US Nuclear Weapon Designations

http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/Allbombs.html

Ballistic Missiles

Go to

Ballistic MissilesTerminology

SRBM: Short Range Ballistic Missile

MRBM: Medium Range Ballistic Missile

IRBM: Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

ICBM: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

( ≤ 1,000 km )

( 1,000 – 3,000 km )

( 3,000 – 5 ,000 km )

( > 5,000 km )

SLBM: Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

First Ballistic Missiles

German V-2Range ~ 175 nm

CEP*: 11 nm

* Circular Error Probable

Cold War Timeline


Nuclear War Branch

14 Apr 50

1 Nov 52


First thermonuclear device detonated, Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands

4 Oct 57 USSR launches first earth satellite, Sputnik

SputnikOctober 4, 1957

R-7 / SS-6 Sapwood ICBM

Early Earth Satellites

October 4, 1957March 17, 1958

January 31, 1958

Early Missiles

Sputnik Explorer

Deployed U.S. Missiles

Jupiter MRBMDeployed to Italy & Turkey

Range ~ 1,500 nmCEP: 0.6 nm

Thor IRBMDeployed to the UK

U.S. ICBMs

Titan I

Titan II

Minuteman

Peacekeeper

Atlas

ICBM

Minuteman with MIRV

Nuclear Triad

Manned Bombers

ICBM SLBM

Can launch on warningAccurateFlexible

Vulnerable inflight Slow

Quick responseInvulnerable inflight

AccurateEconomical

Vulnerable to first strike SurvivableQuick response

Invulnerable inflightUnpredictable

Expensive system

SAC (c 1950)

Nuclear Forces

Cassette 42: Modern Marvels

Fighting a Nuclear War

Issues:

Warfighting Strategy


Nixon: Counterforce

• Publicly promoted position

• Developed warfighting weapons (MIRV, ABM)


Carter: Counterforce

• Pursued decapitation strategy (targeted leadership, C3)

Regan/Bush: Counterforce

• Combined counterforce and strategic defense initiative (SDI)

• Blended arms negotiations (SALT) with SDI


Issues:


Second Strike Capability Retaliatory forces must be able to ride out a first strike and still respond with decisive force

Survivability becomes key consideration

Sea-Based Deterrent

Ohio-class SSBN


Issues:


Second Strike Capability

Continuity of Government


Objective: Maintain post-attack constitutional government

Undisclosed Locations

Video

Airborne Command Post

E-4B

Provide continuity for the National Command Authority

Looking Glass

EC-135 Looking Glass


Issues:


Second Strike Capability


War Plan

SIOPSingle Integrated Operational Plan

SIOP: Single Integrated Operational Plan

"The Circle of Modern War" and logo© Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013

Cold War: Defending the Homeland

Go To

Air Defense & Civil Defense

The Threat

1950’s on: Manned Bombers

1960’s on: Ballistic Missiles

• Land-based ICBM’s initially

• SLBM’s* added later

* Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

Defense Options

Deter the Threat:

Defeat the Threat:

Mitigate the Threat:

Effective, secure nuclear forces

Active Defenses (aircraft, missiles)

Passive Defenses (civil defense, dispersal, continuity of government)

Active Defense

288 site in 30 states

San Francisco SAM sites

Each missile had a nuclear warhead

Variable yield: 2 – 40 KT

Civil Defense

Living With the Bomb

Survival Under Atomic Attack (1950) (9:00)

Civil Defense Information

Civil Defense

January 12, 1962

Civil Defense

Civil Defense

“Duck and cover!”

Civil Defense

Video (9:16)Updated

Civil Defense

Cold War: Cuban Missile Crisis

Vietnam: Into the Abyss

Lesson Objectives

• Understand the Vietnam War as part of the Cold War.

• Be able to describe the evolution of U.S. policy toward Indochina from Presidents Roosevelt to Eisenhower.

• Understand and describe the challenges posed by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) against the south.

• Understand and describe the situation in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) after 1959 and the RVN reaction to the challenge from the north.

• Understand the doctrine of limited war and counterinsurgency as espoused by the Kennedy Administration.

• Understand the timeline of events that led to U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia.

End

Documents

Cold War: Thinking the Unthinking. Lesson Objectives Build a foundation for understanding the genesis, issues, and strategies of the Cold War. Understand