on reducing nuclear tensions and achieved success in a mutual four-year test
ban moratorium, which included Britain and France. Nevertheless, the launch of
the Soviet space programme led to major repercussions for nuclear relations.
Eisenhower’s subdued reaction to Sputnik and the perceived ‘missile gap’
inadvertently contributed to an incredible erosion of confidence in the president.
Popular news outlets and magazines created a crisis atmosphere surrounding
Soviet nuclear capabilities which led to a complete rise in tensions in American
society. This also contributed to a major response by the political right, whereby
figures such as Kennedy and Teller openly challenged Eisenhower on his
defence policies and alleged negligence in office. By pushing the ‘missile gap’
narrative, Kennedy openly accelerated nuclear tensions, pushing for greater
defence expenditure and missile production, which was evident during his
presidency. Meanwhile, Khrushchev also faced major difficulties. In many
ways, Sputnik came in r esponse to Khrushchev’s critics, to establish power and
credibility. In the face of defeat, Khrushchev not only defeated his opposition
but increasingly intensified nuclear relations between the two superpowers,
leading to the relentless pursuit of nuclear superiority. To conclude, the launch
of the Sputnik programme in 1957 significantly increased tensions between the
US and USSR from 1957 to 1961, bringing both countries closer to nuclear
Armageddon than ever before.
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