Kennedy and Defense Policy Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How did Kennedy alter defense spending in 1961?

The defense budget was increased and placed on strategic armament and conventional forces.

What are conventional forces?

These are forces capable of conducting operations using non-nuclear weapons.

What is strategic armament?

This is when a country plans their military techniques.

What effect did Sputnik have on the arms race?

Increased competition as the USSR was one of the first countries to launch a satellite. Signup and view all the answers

What are ICBMs?

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Signup and view all the answers

How did misleading information regarding Soviet missiles affect US armament?

It affected US armament because they didn't have the correct figures of Soviet missiles. Signup and view all the answers

What are SLBMs?

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles. Signup and view all the answers

What happened in Cuba in 1962?

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred, with USSR missiles placed in Cuba. Signup and view all the answers

What is Skybolt?

An air-launched ballistic missile developed by the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What was McNamara's position?

He was the eighth Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Signup and view all the answers

What part of US defense did McNamara develop?

He stopped plans for a new bomber, the B-70 (Skybolt). Signup and view all the answers

What is mutual assured destruction (MAD)?

A doctrine based on nuclear arsenals and the willingness to destroy civilization. Signup and view all the answers

What is damage limitation?

Same as crisis management. Signup and view all the answers

What is counter force?

An attack against military targets. Signup and view all the answers

What is counter city?

An attack on civilian targets. Signup and view all the answers

Which needs to be more accurate and why: counterforce or countercity weapons?

Both need to be accurate to prevent war. Signup and view all the answers

What is flexible response?

A defense strategy implemented by JFK in 1961 for varied military responses. Signup and view all the answers

How does flexible response differ from the 'new look'?

Flexible response allows for various types of military responses, not only nuclear. Signup and view all the answers

How did Moscow feel about limited nuclear war?

Moscow denounced the belief in a limited nuclear war. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Kennedy and Defense Spending

In 1961, defense spending increased under Kennedy, focusing on strategic armament and conventional forces.

Conventional Forces

Conventional forces utilize non-nuclear weapons for military operations.

Strategic Armament

Strategic armament involves planning and developing military techniques for defense.

Impact of Sputnik

The USSR's launch of Sputnik heightened competition in the arms race, demonstrating Soviet technological superiority.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)

ICBMs are ballistic missiles capable of traveling across continents, significantly impacting military strategy.

Misleading Information on Soviet Missiles

Inaccurate missile data led the US to base defense strategies on flawed information, impacting military preparedness.

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs)

SLBMs are ballistic missiles that can be launched from submarines, enhancing military capabilities.

Cuban Missile Crisis

In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated tensions, leading to rapid Soviet missile production to avoid nuclear inferiority.

Skybolt Missile Program

The Douglas GAM-87 Skybolt was an air-launched ballistic missile developed in the late 1950s, later joined by the UK.

McNamara's Role

Robert McNamara, the eighth Secretary of Defense, significantly influenced US military strategies during the 1960s, particularly in Vietnam.

Development of US Defense

McNamara halted the B-70 bomber project due to skepticism regarding anti-ballistic missile effectiveness.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

MAD doctrine emerged in the mid-1960s, centering on nuclear arsenals as a deterrent against total civilization destruction.

Damage Limitation

Also known as crisis management, damage limitation aims to minimize harm during military conflicts.

Counter Force

Counter force strategies target military installations or small operational areas.

Counter City

Counter city strategies focus on attacks against civilian populations.

Accuracy in Warfare

Accurate targeting is essential in both counterforce and countercity strategies to prevent escalation into mass destruction.

Flexible Response Strategy

Kennedy's flexible response, implemented in 1961, allowed varied military responses to conflicts beyond just nuclear options.

Differences from "New Look"

Unlike the "New Look" doctrine that emphasized nuclear deterrence, flexible response addressed multiple forms of aggression.

Moscow's View on Limited Nuclear War

Moscow rejected the idea of limited nuclear warfare, believing it could undermine Western deterrence in case of Soviet aggression.

NATO and Flexible Response

NATO adopted flexible response to enhance collective defense capabilities against various forms of aggression.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of Kennedy's defense strategies and fiscal policies from 1961. This quiz includes definitions and explanations of conventional forces and strategic armament, providing insight into the Cold War military landscape.