The arms race led to the doctrine of mutually assured destruction from "summary" of The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
The arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union had reached a point where both sides had accumulated enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other many times over. This destructive capability created a sense of mutual vulnerability, leading to a new strategic doctrine known as "mutually assured destruction."Under this doctrine, both superpowers understood that any nuclear attack would result in catastrophic retaliation, effectively ensuring that neither side would initiate a nuclear war. The fear of devastating consequences acted as a deterrent against aggressive military actions, as both nations recognized the futility of escalating conflict to nuclear levels. As the nuclear arsenals of both countries continued to grow, the concept of mutually assured destruction became ingrained in military strategy and policy. Strategic planners on both sides carefully calculated the potential outcomes of various scenarios, always mindful of the need to maintain a delicate balance of power to prevent any one side from gaining a decisive advantage. The doctrine of mutually assured destruction shaped the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War, influencing diplomatic negotiations, arms control agreements, and crisis management strategies. Despite the inherent risks and moral dilemmas associated with nuclear weapons, the doctrine provided a degree of stability by emphasizing the importance of deterrence and the avoidance of all-out war.- The arms race and the doctrine of mutually assured destruction highlighted the dangerous consequences of unchecked proliferation and the imperative of international cooperation to prevent the use of nuclear weapons. The precarious balance of power between the superpowers underscored the need for responsible decision-making and the pursuit of peaceful resolutions to conflicts in order to avoid the catastrophic effects of nuclear war.
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