Cold War Nuclear Strategies

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Questions and Answers

What term was used to describe the situation where both the US and the USSR had the capability to destroy each other, making a first strike unlikely?

Mutual Assured Destruction (correct)

Nuclear Parity

Strategic Arms Equilibrium

Cold War Deterrence

What was the focus of the SALT I agreements?

Quantitative caps on nuclear weapons (correct)

Qualitative increases in nuclear technology

Conventional military superiority

First strike capabilities

What was the name of the US warfighting strategy introduced in 1980?

Countervailing Strategy (correct)

Schlesinger Doctrine

Nuclear Parity Initiative

Mutual Deterrence Policy

What was the main concern of the US and the USSR during the Cold War era?

That the other side would launch a first strike Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary condition for a stable system according to nuclear deterrence theory?

Both sides have secure retaliatory forces Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Soviet Union's catching up with MIRVs in the 1970s?

An increase in the risk of a first strike Signup and view all the answers

Why was the US worried about nuclear deterrence failing?

The US was worried that the Soviet Union would not be deterred by US nuclear retaliatory capability Signup and view all the answers

What was the main criticism of the détente policy during the Cold War era?

It was too soft on the Soviet Union Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of US attention immediately after World War II?

Maintaining and increasing its lead in nuclear weapons Signup and view all the answers

What was the perceived difference between the US and Soviet motivations during the Cold War?

The Soviet Union was more motivated to change the status quo than the US Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the flexible response strategy?

To deter an attack by responding at the appropriate level of conventional, theatre nuclear, or strategic nuclear capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What was the concern regarding the US itself in the context of nuclear deterrence?

The US would be deterred from initiating nuclear use by the Soviet ability to retaliate Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Berlin and Cuban Missile Crises in the 1960s?

McNamara began to think more about the stability problem instead of credibility Signup and view all the answers

What was the experience that influenced US thinking about the use of nuclear weapons after World War II?

The experience of strategic bombing during World War II Signup and view all the answers

What did the ABM Treaty of 1972 recognize and enshrine?

The principle of mutually assured destruction Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Interim Agreement on Offensive Arms in 1972?

The US and USSR capped their offensive forces at approximately equal levels Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation behind the development of the assured destruction concept?

To convince the adversary that the risks of war were unacceptable Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Vietnam War on the nuclear competition between the US and USSR?

The US and USSR diverted resources from the nuclear competition to the Vietnam War Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between deterrence by punishment and deterrence by denial?

Deterrence by punishment involves threatening or frightening someone to stop them from doing something, whereas deterrence by denial involves decreasing the likelihood that the attack will succeed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between credibility and deterrence in the warfighting view of nuclear weapons?

Credibility is crucial for deterrence, as it requires preparing forces and doctrines for warfighting to 'win' in some way and avoid the worst outcome. Signup and view all the answers

How does the retaliatory capability view of nuclear weapons differ from the warfighting view?

The retaliatory capability view holds that nuclear warfare is unwinnable due to immense destructive capability, leading to a focus on deterrence through punishment, whereas the warfighting view sees nuclear weapons as usable in war and for coercion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the necessary condition for deterrence by punishment to be effective?

The costs of punishment multiplied by the likelihood that punishment will be carried out must be greater than the benefits of the action multiplied by the likelihood that the action will succeed. Signup and view all the answers

What is strategic deterrence, and how does it relate to a country's vital interests?

Strategic deterrence refers to the deterrence of an attack upon a country's vital interests. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of credibility in nuclear deterrence, and how does it affect the likelihood of punishment being carried out?

Credibility is essential for deterrence, as it affects the perceived likelihood of punishment being carried out, and if credibility is low, the likelihood of punishment being carried out is also low. Signup and view all the answers

What assumption was being made about the other side in a stable system?

That the other side has secure retaliatory forces. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the US worry that nuclear deterrence might fail against the Soviet Union?

Because the Soviets might undertake conventional actions, and the US might be deterred from initiating nuclear use by the Soviet ability to retaliate. Signup and view all the answers

How did the US experience in strategic bombing during World War II influence thinking about nuclear use after the war?

It influenced plans for mixed conventional and nuclear attacks. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation attributed to the Soviets in the context of nuclear deterrence?

To change the status quo. Signup and view all the answers

What was the perceived difference in sensitivity to costs between the US and the USSR?

The Soviets were seen as less sensitive to costs, and more motivated to change the status quo. Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of US attention immediately after World War II?

Maintaining and increasing its lead in nuclear weapons. Signup and view all the answers

How did the development of MIRVs by the Soviets in the 1970s affect the credibility of US nuclear deterrence?

It raised fears of a first strike and brought back the credibility problem, as the US worried that the Soviets could launch a first strike without fear of US retaliation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main concern of the US and the USSR during the Cold War era in terms of nuclear deterrence?

The main concern was that the adversary would launch a first strike, believing the other side could not retaliate effectively. Signup and view all the answers

How did the US warfighting strategies, such as NSDM 242 and PD-59, address the challenge of credibility in nuclear deterrence?

These strategies focused on qualitative improvements in nuclear weapons, making it clear that even a limited nuclear exchange would be catastrophic, thereby reinforcing the credibility of US deterrence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between deterrence by punishment and deterrence by denial?

Deterrence by punishment involves threatening retaliation against an adversary, while deterrence by denial involves making a target so well-defended that an adversary would not attempt to attack. Signup and view all the answers

How did the concept of mutual assured destruction (MAD) reflect the dilemma of nuclear deterrence?

MAD highlighted the paradox that, despite the devastating consequences of a nuclear exchange, neither side could be certain of avoiding destruction, making deterrence uncertain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key challenge in devising a military strategy in a situation where total destruction is possible but total victory is impossible?

The key challenge is to balance the need to deter an adversary with the risk of escalation to a catastrophic conflict. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nuclear Deterrence

If both sides have secure retaliatory forces, the system will be stable, as neither side will have an incentive to use nuclear weapons or initiate conflicts that could escalate to the nuclear level.
The worry was that the Soviet Union would not be deterred by the US nuclear retaliatory capability, particularly in Western Europe, and that the US might be deterred from initiating nuclear use by the Soviet ability to carry out a nuclear strike against it.

Assumptions about the Other Side

The Soviet Union was seen as highly motivated to change the status quo and as less sensitive to costs.
The Soviets were assumed to be more motivated to change the status quo than the US would be to defend it.

After World War II (1945-1949)

The US focused on maintaining and increasing its lead in nuclear weapons.
Plans were for mixed conventional and nuclear attacks, influenced by strategic bombing during the war.

The Rise of Stability through MAD (1965-1972)

The Berlin (1961) and Cuban Missile Crises (1962) led to a focus on the stability problem rather than credibility.
The concept of Assured Destruction was developed, and the Soviets began deploying large numbers of ICBMs and SLBMs.
The 1972 ABM Treaty banned the two sides from having more than two missile defense sites each, recognizing mutual vulnerability.
The 1972 Interim Agreement on Offensive Arms capped offensive forces at 1,054/1,618 ICBMs and 656/740 SLBMs, leading to approximate parity and stability.

Deterrence

Deterrence by punishment involves threatening or frightening someone to stop them from doing something.
Deterrence by denial involves decreasing the likelihood that an attack will succeed.
Strategic deterrence refers to the deterrence of an attack upon a country's vital interests.
For deterrence by punishment to work, the costs of punishment multiplied by the likelihood that punishment will be carried out must be greater than the benefits of action multiplied by the likelihood that action will succeed.

Warfighting versus Retaliation

The warfighting view of nuclear weapons holds that they can be used in war and to coerce in peacetime, and that forces and doctrines must be prepared for warfighting.
The retaliatory capability view holds that nuclear warfare is unwinnable due to the immense destructive capability of nuclear weapons, and that credibility is not a major issue.

Maintaining Credibility in an Age of Parity (1972-1987)

Quantitative caps in SALT I led to a focus on technology (qualitative) increases, such as multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).
The Soviets began catching up with MIRVs in the 1970s, leading to fears of a first strike and return of the credibility problem.
US warfighting strategies included NSDM 242 "Schlesinger Doctrine" and PD-59 "Countervailing Strategy" (1980), reinforced by domestic backlash against détente, which reached a peak with Ronald Reagan.
Fears on both sides existed that the adversary would launch a first strike, but in reality, neither side believed they could launch a first strike, nor did they want to.

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This quiz covers the nuclear strategies employed during the Cold War era, including the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), SALT I agreements, and warfighting strategies like the Schlesinger Doctrine and Countervailing Strategy.

Cold War Nuclear Strategies

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Questions and Answers

What term was used to describe the situation where both the US and the USSR had the capability to destroy each other, making a first strike unlikely?

What was the focus of the SALT I agreements?

What was the name of the US warfighting strategy introduced in 1980?

What was the main concern of the US and the USSR during the Cold War era?

What is a necessary condition for a stable system according to nuclear deterrence theory?

What was the consequence of the Soviet Union's catching up with MIRVs in the 1970s?

Why was the US worried about nuclear deterrence failing?

What was the main criticism of the détente policy during the Cold War era?

What was the focus of US attention immediately after World War II?

What was the perceived difference between the US and Soviet motivations during the Cold War?

What is the primary goal of the flexible response strategy?

What was the concern regarding the US itself in the context of nuclear deterrence?

What was the outcome of the Berlin and Cuban Missile Crises in the 1960s?

What was the experience that influenced US thinking about the use of nuclear weapons after World War II?

What did the ABM Treaty of 1972 recognize and enshrine?

What was the outcome of the Interim Agreement on Offensive Arms in 1972?

What was the primary motivation behind the development of the assured destruction concept?

What was the consequence of the Vietnam War on the nuclear competition between the US and USSR?

What is the key difference between deterrence by punishment and deterrence by denial?

What is the relationship between credibility and deterrence in the warfighting view of nuclear weapons?

How does the retaliatory capability view of nuclear weapons differ from the warfighting view?

What is the necessary condition for deterrence by punishment to be effective?

What is strategic deterrence, and how does it relate to a country's vital interests?

What is the importance of credibility in nuclear deterrence, and how does it affect the likelihood of punishment being carried out?

What assumption was being made about the other side in a stable system?

Why did the US worry that nuclear deterrence might fail against the Soviet Union?

How did the US experience in strategic bombing during World War II influence thinking about nuclear use after the war?

What was the primary motivation attributed to the Soviets in the context of nuclear deterrence?

What was the perceived difference in sensitivity to costs between the US and the USSR?

What was the focus of US attention immediately after World War II?

How did the development of MIRVs by the Soviets in the 1970s affect the credibility of US nuclear deterrence?

What was the main concern of the US and the USSR during the Cold War era in terms of nuclear deterrence?

How did the US warfighting strategies, such as NSDM 242 and PD-59, address the challenge of credibility in nuclear deterrence?

What is the difference between deterrence by punishment and deterrence by denial?

How did the concept of mutual assured destruction (MAD) reflect the dilemma of nuclear deterrence?

What is the key challenge in devising a military strategy in a situation where total destruction is possible but total victory is impossible?

Study Notes

Nuclear Deterrence

Assumptions about the Other Side

After World War II (1945-1949)

The Rise of Stability through MAD (1965-1972)

Deterrence

Warfighting versus Retaliation

Maintaining Credibility in an Age of Parity (1972-1987)

Studying That Suits You

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