Nuclear Arms Race

In order to maintain peace and stability in the world, there must be a balance of power between countries. The Nuclear Arms Race was started because there wasn't a balance of power after World War II. The U.S. was the only country at that time which possessed nuclear weapons. Russia, fearing a United States domination of world power, developed a nuclear bomb of its own. Thus started the Arms Race, in which both countries attempted to gain the upper hand in terms of the number of nuclear warheads each possessed. However, the Arms Race ended when several treaties in arms reduction were passed. I believe that in the end, the United States and the Soviet Union realized that one country would eventually win, and the balance of power would again be shifted. Fearing a nuclear war, arms negotiations began in an attempt to lessen the tension. This is evident in the fact that treaties between the two countries were signed, agreeing on the limitation and testing of nuclear arms. It is also illustrated in the

Cuban Missile Crisis, where Russia agreed to withdraw the missiles placed in Cuba, fearing U.S. retaliation.

In order to better understand the Arms Race, a brief history must be given. The Arms Ra

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So many treaties have been passed but it still seems that the likes of a nuclear war is still satiable. As for the threat of a nuclear war, I think that it is still present.

Attempts to control the number of nuclear weapons in the world began about 1970. Pakistan also says if India does not sign, they won’t either. Claiming discrimination, India insists it will not accede to a test ban unless the declared nuclear states agree to give up their nuclear arsenals by a certain date. For two years China has successfully held up the 38-nation Geneva negotiations on a comprehensive test ban treaty.

The United States, Great Britain, Russia, and France have joined a moratorium on all testing. These reforms have greatly reduced tensions. They find their reason as a lame excuse to start setting off explosions again.

After 18 months of talks, the proposed treaty text bans all nuclear tests, no matter the size or purpose. The closest country next to us is Russia with 715 tests. As you can clearly see it will take a lot more than treaties to negotiate. A new treaty, called the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, began in May of 1982. The United States has the most known nuclear tests having a record of 1,030 tests. China and Britain are reluctant to accept restrictions on their programs unless India joins in.

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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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