The Arms and Space Race symbolised rivalry between East and West

HISTORY ARMS AND SPACE RACE ESSAY That the Arms Race and Space Race were vital components in the rivalry between the USA and the USSR during the forty-five years between 1945 and 1990 is a comment and philosophy on the period which has and continues to produce much and far ranging debate which will continue for many years to come. In the efforts of simplicity however, it is clear that during that period the rivalry was rife …

…age of atomic weapons was to take measures to ensure the possibility of retaliation in case of a surprise nuclear attack must then be the force-in-being or counter-force targets. Therefore, the first and foremost priority in the security programme of a nuclear weapon state of the age of atomic weapons was to take measures to ensure the possibility of retaliation in case of a surprise attack. This formed the basis of the 'Second Strike' capability.