Oklahoma Academic Standard 6. The student will analyze the origins of international alliances and efforts at containment of Communism following World War II.

Objective 6.2  Describe domestic events related to the Cold War and its aftermath. 

   B. Examine the impact of the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the resulting nuclear arms race, the concept of brinkmanship, the doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD), the launching of Sputnik and the space race. 

In a Nutshell

As the United States continued to challenge the spread of with the Soviet communism, both nations began to stockpile arsenals of nuclear weapons. The United States adopted a policy of “brinkmanship” which advisers believed to be the only way to avoid war. This escalation of arms led opponents to label the status as "mutually" destructive. Students should understand the theory and practices behind the escalation of nuclear capabilities. 

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Provide opportunities for students to develop, investigate and evaluate plausible answers to essential questions.

• Guide students in analyzing complex and interacting factors that influence multiple perspectives pertaining to American response to communist aggression.

• Evaluate how multiple, complex events are shaped by unique circumstances of time and place, as well as broader historical contexts.

• Compare points of agreement and disagreement from reliable sources regarding public and government reaction to the proliferation of nuclear weaponry. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD) as a doctrine, military strategy, and national security policy 

• theory of deterrence

• nuclear triad weapons strategy 

• Some students may find it difficult to comprehend the strategy of increasing nuclear capacities as a deterrent to the use of nuclear weapons. 

Instructional Resources