Why did the United States and NATO rely on nuclear weapons to deter a Warsaw Pact attack on Western Europe?

In the early 1950s, political pressure in the United States to reduce its defense budget, and allied reluctance to spend the money to build up their own militaries, further encouraged a policy of threatening to use nuclear weapons against counter-value targets (such as cities and other “soft” targets) on a large scale …

Why did the NATO countries follow a policy known as deterrence?

The fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear forces is for deterrence. Nuclear weapons are unique and the circumstances under which NATO might have to use nuclear weapons are extremely remote. Furthermore, any employment of nuclear weapons against NATO would fundamentally alter the nature of a conflict.

How did nuclear proliferation affect the Cold War?

The intense competition of those two countries during the Cold War led them to develop the more-powerful thermonuclear bomb (also known as the hydrogen bomb, or H-bomb) and to enlarge their stocks of nuclear weapons. …

Why does the UK have nuclear weapons?

But the main purpose of these weapons is to deter war. Because the UK nuclear forces not only serve the purpose of Britain’s national security, but also contribute to the security of the NATO Alliance, a unilateral nuclear disarmament effort would have ramifications that would go beyond Great Britain.

How did France lead the way in Nuclear Science?

Once Europe had trembled under the tramp of French boots; twice Paris had fallen to a foe; three times France had succumbed to invasion. Before the World War II France, like Britain and Germany, led the way in nuclear science, building on the Curie family’s work.

How many nuclear weapons does the French have?

The French Republic has four strategic nuclear subs (with more silent jet propulsion), equipped with French missiles and French bombs. The French Air Force has also supersonic bombers equipped with supersonic stand-off cruise missiles (a sort of weapon even the USA doesn’t have).

How did the United States help Britain develop nuclear weapons?

Under the US–UK Mutual Defence Agreement of 1958, the US supplied Britain with plans and specifications for Britain to start making H-bombs to an American design, which was more advanced than their own home-made efforts. Britain was ahead on certain other aspects of nuclear technology, which it supplied to the Americans in return.