1. Summarize the basic argument for and the basic argument against nuclear weapons.
People who argue for Nuclear weapons argue that they are essential in order to protect the united States from aggression and countries wouldn't want to go to war so much knowing how badly things could end.
People who argue against nuclear weapons argue that they are simply too dangerous and destructive to exist, and that they could end all of humanity. They also argue that human error can cause some really bad accidents.
2. What is the difference between a strategic and a tactical nuclear weapon?
Strategic nuclear weapons are long ranged and can hit a target six thousand miles away. Tactical nuclear weapons are short ranged and can fit inside a backpack, but actually have smaller explosions than some non-nuclear weapons.
3. What is nuclear proliferation?
Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons
4. What role has the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty played in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons?
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. It prevents countries that have had nuclear weapons before 1967 from giving away nuclear weapons or technology to states that don't have it, and to reduce their weapon stockpiles. It also made non-nuclear nations agree not to acquire or produce nuclear weapons, but they have the right to obtain knowledge, materials and equipment for peaceful purposes.
5. Explain Secretary of State Rice's high level of concern about the Russian nuclear arsenal. (See her quote on page 16 of your reading.)
Secretary of State Rice was very concerned about the Russian nuclear arsenal. She worried that Russia's economic troubles weakened Moscow's control over it's nuclear program. Russia had tons of nuclear weapons and it was dangerous to have them all.
6. How as the threat of terrorism changed thinking about nuclear weapons?
Dealing with terrorists is much more difficult than dealing with a country, since terrorist organizations are hard to identify and can be mobile. Countries a=have to be careful not to allow terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons, because 9/11 would like like nothing compared to a nuclear attack. Also, deterrence wouldnt apply to terrorists because they dont have to worry about retaliation from who they attack.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Nuclear Arms Race Since 1945
1. Explain how Dragonfire's report on October 11, 2001 highlighted a new threat from nuclear weapons.
Dragonfire's report on October 11, 2001 highlighted a new threat for nuclear weapons. A nuclear weapon hadnt been used since World War II, but when dragonfire reported that a nuclear weapon was smuggled into New York, people realized just how dangerous these were and how destructive it could be and how many lives could be lost.
2. Why is proliferation such a strong concern for the United States?
Proliferation was such a strong concern for the United States because they didn't want atomic bombs to spread because the more countries that had them, the more countries that could use them and potentially end humanity.
3. What is deterrence?
Deterrence is a plan to prevent nuclear war. If one side attacked another, they would respond with an even bigger attack. Them=n both sides would realize that they face certain destruction and will stop attacking.
4. Explain the importance of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
During the Cuban missile crisis, when America learned the soviets had nuclear missiles in Cuba, a nuclear war almost broke out. It ultimately didn't happen, but it showed how close things came and a deal was made to prevent it from happening again. After this, the tension between America and the Soviet Union lessened.
5. President John F. Kennedy worried that twenty-five nations would have nuclear weapons by the 1970s. Why do you think his worry did not come to pass?
Because negotiations were held and an international agreement was made to prevent countries from acquiring nuclear weapons (other than the five that already had them).
6. What was the Cold War? How long did it last?
The Cold War was the stand-off between the United States and the Soviet Union in which both nations attempted to acquire more nuclear weapons than the other to feel secure. Ultimately, there was no actual war or battles. The Cold War came to an end on December 25, 1991 after more than 40 years. (46 years, 1945-1991)
Dragonfire's report on October 11, 2001 highlighted a new threat for nuclear weapons. A nuclear weapon hadnt been used since World War II, but when dragonfire reported that a nuclear weapon was smuggled into New York, people realized just how dangerous these were and how destructive it could be and how many lives could be lost.
2. Why is proliferation such a strong concern for the United States?
Proliferation was such a strong concern for the United States because they didn't want atomic bombs to spread because the more countries that had them, the more countries that could use them and potentially end humanity.
3. What is deterrence?
Deterrence is a plan to prevent nuclear war. If one side attacked another, they would respond with an even bigger attack. Them=n both sides would realize that they face certain destruction and will stop attacking.
4. Explain the importance of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
During the Cuban missile crisis, when America learned the soviets had nuclear missiles in Cuba, a nuclear war almost broke out. It ultimately didn't happen, but it showed how close things came and a deal was made to prevent it from happening again. After this, the tension between America and the Soviet Union lessened.
5. President John F. Kennedy worried that twenty-five nations would have nuclear weapons by the 1970s. Why do you think his worry did not come to pass?
Because negotiations were held and an international agreement was made to prevent countries from acquiring nuclear weapons (other than the five that already had them).
6. What was the Cold War? How long did it last?
The Cold War was the stand-off between the United States and the Soviet Union in which both nations attempted to acquire more nuclear weapons than the other to feel secure. Ultimately, there was no actual war or battles. The Cold War came to an end on December 25, 1991 after more than 40 years. (46 years, 1945-1991)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Works Cited
Haugen, David M., Susan Musser and Kacy Lovelace, eds. The Middle East. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009
Truman, Margaret Harry S. Truman. New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1973
Bailyn, Bernard The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press, 1967
Truman, Margaret Harry S. Truman. New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1973
Bailyn, Bernard The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press, 1967
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Mobilizing for Defense
1. How did the American response to the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor differ from Japanese expectations?
The Japanese expected that their raid on Pearl Harbor would terrify the Americans and they would avoid furthre conflict after getting a preview of Japan's power. But the Americans had the opposite reaction; Americans were angry and used Pearl Harbor as motivation to get involved.
2. What difficulties did women and minorities face in the wartime work force?
During war-time, women and minorities were hired, but they faced difficulties. Women only earned 60% of what men made for doing the exact same things. 75% of companies refused to hire any minorities at all and the ones who were hired were only hired as janitors and other menial jobs.
3. Why did President Roosevelt create the OSRD, and what did it do?
President Roosevelt created the OSRD in order to bring scientists into the war effort, which brough improvements in sonar and radar, as well as pesticides to fight insects and penicillin which saved many lives. Their biggest achievement was creating the atomic bomb.
4. What basic problems were the OPA and WPB created to solve?
The OPA and WPB were created to solve the problems of inflation during the war and making sure that the war industries and armed forces would receive the goods that they needed in order to win the war, which involved collecting raw materials that would be needed.
5. What type of items were rationed and why were they limited?
Meat, sugar, shoes, coffee and gasoline were rationed. These were chosen to be rationed because they were essential items for the military.
6. What is the message of the World War II poster on this assignment's blog posting? Why was this message important?
The message of the World War II poster is that if you are riding alone (without a carpool), you are riding with Hitler, meaning that you are helping out Hitler and the Germans instead of America because by not having a carpool, you are using too much gas, which is an essential item needed for the military to defeat Hitler.
The Japanese expected that their raid on Pearl Harbor would terrify the Americans and they would avoid furthre conflict after getting a preview of Japan's power. But the Americans had the opposite reaction; Americans were angry and used Pearl Harbor as motivation to get involved.
2. What difficulties did women and minorities face in the wartime work force?
During war-time, women and minorities were hired, but they faced difficulties. Women only earned 60% of what men made for doing the exact same things. 75% of companies refused to hire any minorities at all and the ones who were hired were only hired as janitors and other menial jobs.
3. Why did President Roosevelt create the OSRD, and what did it do?
President Roosevelt created the OSRD in order to bring scientists into the war effort, which brough improvements in sonar and radar, as well as pesticides to fight insects and penicillin which saved many lives. Their biggest achievement was creating the atomic bomb.
4. What basic problems were the OPA and WPB created to solve?
The OPA and WPB were created to solve the problems of inflation during the war and making sure that the war industries and armed forces would receive the goods that they needed in order to win the war, which involved collecting raw materials that would be needed.
5. What type of items were rationed and why were they limited?
Meat, sugar, shoes, coffee and gasoline were rationed. These were chosen to be rationed because they were essential items for the military.
6. What is the message of the World War II poster on this assignment's blog posting? Why was this message important?
The message of the World War II poster is that if you are riding alone (without a carpool), you are riding with Hitler, meaning that you are helping out Hitler and the Germans instead of America because by not having a carpool, you are using too much gas, which is an essential item needed for the military to defeat Hitler.
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