weapons during the summer of 1961, amounting to more than a 50 per cent increase compared to the 1,100 constructed during Eisenhower’s second term. 63 Overall, the number of nuclear weapons grew significantly under Kennedy between April 1961 and July 1964, from 3,000 missiles to 5,000. 64 To add to
this, through a ‘flexible response’ doctrine, he also placed greater emphasis on
the build-up of conventional forces, developing their overall capacities –
especially in airlift, sealift and tactical air forces. Kennedy’s tough stance
against the USSR undoubtedly increased nuclear tensions in the early 1960s.
The release of the Soviet Tsar Bomba, followed by the rapid revitalisation and
growth in US nuclear arsenals led to the acceleration and intensification of the nuclear arms race with the USSR. 65
Throughout Eisenhower’s last years in office, the political right significantly
increased pressure on military policies contributing to growing political
tensions. The President's policies were under scrutiny, with major news outlets
calling out his alleged negligence in office. When Kennedy became president,
however, his policies towards increased nuclear expenditure significantly
intensified relations between the US and USSR, bringing both countries closer
to nuclear Armageddon than ever before.
Khrushchev and the USSR
In the years leading up to the Sputnik programme, Khrushchev faced major
political opposition in the Kremlin that openly challenged him on his defence
63 Phillip Nash, ‘Nuclear Weapons in Kennedy’s Foreign Policy’, Historian , 56.2 (1994), 285-300 (p.286) < https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6563.1994.tb01309.x > [accessed 26/02/2024]. 64 Ibid, p.286. 65 Gerald J. DeGroot, The Bomb: a life (Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 2004), p.253. The Tsar bomber was tested by the Soviet Union on 30 October 1961. The bomb was a 50-megaton bomb – the biggest ever exploded – over Novaya Zemlya, Russia.
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