Question

Mention any three reasons behind armament and disarmament during the cold war.

Hint:

Remember the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 as the turning point. It was the moment the theoretical danger of nuclear war became a real possibility, which scared both superpowers into starting serious arms control negotiations.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Cold War was characterized by a paradoxical dynamic: an intense military build-up (armament) between the USA and the USSR, alongside simultaneous efforts to control and limit this build-up (disarmament or arms control). These two trends were driven by different, yet interconnected, reasons.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Reasons for Armament (Arms Race):
1. Ideological Conflict and Mutual Mistrust: The fundamental clash between the capitalist ideology of the US-led West and the communist ideology of the USSR-led East created deep suspicion and hostility. Each side viewed the other as an existential threat, leading them to build massive military forces to defend themselves and their respective ideologies.
2. The Logic of Deterrence: With the advent of nuclear weapons, the primary military strategy shifted to deterrence. Both superpowers believed that the only way to prevent an attack from the other was to possess an overwhelmingly powerful nuclear arsenal. This led to the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), where a nuclear attack by one side would guarantee the destruction of both. This logic fueled a continuous race to build more numerous and more powerful weapons.
Reason for Disarmament (Arms Control):
3. The Fear of Nuclear Annihilation and Economic Strain: While deterrence was the strategy, the constant risk of a nuclear war—either intentional or accidental—was terrifyingly real. Events like the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 brought the world to the brink of catastrophe, making both sides realize the urgent need to manage their rivalry. This shared fear of annihilation, coupled with the immense economic burden of the arms race, pushed the superpowers to negotiate arms control treaties (like SALT - Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) to stabilize their competition and reduce the risk of war.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Three key reasons were: (1) Armament due to deep ideological conflict, (2) Armament driven by the nuclear strategy of deterrence (MAD), and (3) Disarmament efforts prompted by the existential fear of nuclear war and the heavy economic cost of the arms race.