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Nuclear Weapons A New Definition of Military Might
By Jo Ricardo V. Agbayani
Professor Ms. Quiton Help with essay on Nuclear Weapons
LAN 10
March , 00
Abstract
Military might was given a new definition by the discovery of nuclear technology, more specifically the nuclear bomb. Unlike in the early days of the Knights, of George Washington, and even the 1st World War where a nation's military might is measured by the sheer great number of troops, the discovery of the Nuclear bomb generated a new definition of military might, which we saw in the wars after the nd World Warnuclear technology. Nuclear technology enabled countries such as the US, Russia and China to dominate and control any conflict.
Outline of Topics
Thesis The discovery of nuclear weapons catalyzed a change in the definition of military might.
I. The discovery of new weapons has "traditionally provided nations with hope for winning wars".
II. Nuclear Weapons a Brief History
A. In the year 145, the world entered a new era of warfarethe Nuclear Agewhen the US successfully tested the success of the Manhattan project in the desert of Los Alamos.
1. August 6, 145"Little Boy" in Hiroshima
. August , 145 "Fat Man" in Nagasaki
B. The success of the Soviets in testing their atomic bomb prompted the start of the cold wara war involving nuclear build up and threat between the US and the Soviets.
1. JFK orders a naval blockade in Cuba to due to reports that the Soviets installed nuclear missiles in the country.
III. The World's leading nuclear powers.
A. The US armed forces are regarded by many as the worlds most technologically advanced and capable military force.
B. Although losing a lot of its power during the separation of the former USSR, Russia still remains to be a nuclear power capable of matching the US.
IV. Then & Now Nuclear weapons changed the definition of military might"Victory in numbers to Victory in technology".
A. Comparison of the development of military might as time passes by.
V. Conclusion
A. Military might or power projection has evolved a new definition since the discovery of the nuclear weaponsmight not in numbers but in nuclear supremacy.
Nuclear Weapons A New Definition of Military Might
Introduction
The discovery of nuclear technology has catalyzed a "metamorphosis" in the definition of military might. Now, countries that have access to this technology have the capability to project their military power even greater than they ever did. As Albert Einstein said, "the unleashed power of the atom-bomb has changed everything… and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe" (cited in Gregory, 186, p. ).
The discovery of new weapons, as Freeman Dyson argues in his book entitled Weapons & Hope, have "traditionally provided nations with hope for winning wars" (Gregory, 186). This was also the case during the discovery of the A-bomb. The US hoped to end the Second World War by developing a weapon that will strike fear to the enemy. Hence, the US made the decision to push through a project named the "Manhattan Project" in Los Alamos, New Mexico in order to research on this weapon. On the July of 145, the scientist successfully tested the most powerful weapon to manthe A-bomb. A month after they were dropped by the US in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
True, that the "bomb" indeed ended the war, but the victory was shrouded by inexpressible human tragedy and the knowledge that the world will never be the same. As a result, we now live in world that of threat and the only way to deter this threat is via projecting nuclear military might.
A Brief History
The birth of the Nuclear age began in August , 1 when Albert Einstein, a German physicist, wrote a letter to US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt informing him about the discovery of atomic energy which can be used to produce bombs. In the letter Einstein quoted "extremely powerful bombs can be constructed" (cited in Gregory, 186, p.40). This message prompted F. Roosevelt to initiate the massive research in the US for the development of atomic/ nuclear weapons coined as the "Manhattan Project".
The Manhattan Project was tasked in the development of nuclear weapons. A group of scientists headed by US Army general Leslie Groves and chief physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer was sent to the vast deserts of Los Alamos, New Mexico in14 to develop atomic bombs. The top-secret project successfully tested the first atomic bomb in July 16, 145. After the successful testing in the desert the US officially entered the Nuclear Age.
As the tide of war continued to change towards the side of the Allies during the early part of 145, the US decided to use its newfound power in the battlefield hoping it will end the war. On the 6th day of August 145 the world witnessed the immense power of the US when they dropped the first atomic bomb, famously known as "Little Boy", on the Japanese City of Hiroshima (Encarta Encyclopedia 001). In August , 145, three days after the Hiroshima bombing, the second atomic bomb dubbed as "Fat Man" was dropped in Nagasaki (Encarta Encyclopedia 001). The devastation of the Japanese cities via the atomic bomb prompted the end of the Second World War. The Japanese surrender in August 14 marked the end of the Second World War (Encarta Encyclopedia 001).
The Second World War ended with a victory for the US and its allies, but it marked the start of an era where humanity will live a life of threattotal annihilation. As time passed by, America's monopoly over nuclear technology ended as the Soviets successfully tested their atomic bomb in the summer of 14. The successful testing by the Soviets prompted the friction between the two countriesthe Cold Warin which nuclear arms were involved.
The Cold War was a battle between two different ideologies American Democracy and Soviet Communism. It is also a conflict of technologies and military supremacy. The tension between the two hegemons dates back in the late 140's and ended in the 10's with the disbandment of the USSR.
The Cold War was characterized by the Arm's race between the US and Soviets. Arms involved both conventional and nuclear weapons. During this era the Americans and the Soviets funded huge amounts of money into the development of the military.As a result of huge military budget, both countries developed and deployed numerous amounts of armaments especially nuclear weapons, which amounts to a total of 5,000 (approx. combined) (Halle, 180,p.5).
Tension during the Cold War heightened in 16 when American intelligence found out that the Soviets were planning to stage nuclear missiles into Cuba. Missiles in Cuba were deemed by the US as a direct threat to US security prompting the Americans to panic and fear. Due to the crisis in Cuba, the US prepared for war under the order of President J.F. Kennedy. In his speech he said, "should the Soviets fire a missile from Cuba will mean a full retaliatory attack by the US against the USSR" (cited in Encarta Encyclopedia 001). He also argued, "the gravest issues would arise" should the Soviets continue their aggression (Gaddis 181). As an answer to the tension in Cuba, JFK ordered a naval blockade in October nd of that year, which he termed as naval "quarantine" for a blockade, is considered an act of war.
The tension subsided when both nations came into agreement that "a nuclear war would be catastrophic for both". On October 8, 16 the US and USSR agreed to put down their arms with promises that the US wont invade Cuba and will remove its missiles in Turkey and the Soviets will withdraw their missiles in Cuba.
The resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis also marked the start of the easing of tensions between the US and the USSR. The fear of starting a nuclear war caused both countries to come into agreement in July 16, in which they signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in Britain (Encarta Encyclopedia 001). The treaty contained the resolution that both countries will lessen if not stop their research into nuclear weapons.
The Nuclear Powers
The term nuclear power is commonly associated to the US and Russia (former USSR) because of their massive military, more specifically nuclear build-up during the Cold War. Even though the Cold War has ended and various treaties have been signed, such as the SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty I & II) in the mid 170's until early 180's, the US and Russia still maintains the world's largest nuclear arsenals.
The nuclear arsenals of both the US and Russia are controlled their air force and navy. As part of the SALT I, both countries should decommission the nuclear weapons controlled by their armies. The Navy and Air Force of both countries comprise the nuclear "triad"nuclear weapons delivery via bombers, ICBMs and Submarine. The triad assures that even if the ICBMs and Bombers are destroyed in a nuclear first-strike, the attacked country will still be capable of launching a retaliatory attack and inflict major damage to the attacker.
The nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia are the following (at present)
Type United States Russia (USSR)
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM's) Peacekeeper-MX150 Missiles (MIRV)1 x 500 Kt @ 11T KmTotal Warheads 1800Minuteman III (Mk-1A)0 Missiles (MIRV) x 50 Kt @ T KmTotal Warheads 60 SS-18 (Models& 4)0 Missiles (MIRV)8 x 1.5 Mt @ 1T KmTotal Warheads 1700SS-1 (Models 1 & )00 Missiles (non-MIRV) xMt @ 10T KmTotal Warheads 600
Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM's) Trident II D-500 Missiles (MIRV)8-1 x 450Kt @ 11T KmTotal Warheads 400 SS-N-18140 Missiles (MIRV) x 00Kt @ 7.5T KmTotal Warheads 40SS-NX-000 Missiles (MIRV)8 x 00Kt @ 8T KmTotal Warheads 1600
TOTAL 5160 Warheads 40 Warheads
Source Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Table was summarized and didn't include IRBMs and Cruise Missiles
Since the end of the Cold War, the nuclear arsenals of the Russia (formerly USSR) and the United states have decreased by almost 60% due mainly to the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaties (SALT II & II) and the disbandment of the Soviet Union. Moreover, the disbandment of the USSR in 11 prompted the decrease of military spending by both countries due to the lesser threat form the Soviets for the Americans and lack of funds brought by a weak economy for the Russians.
At present, the US has more nuclear warheads while the Russian have more missiles and greater mega tonnage (Gregory, 186, p4).The differences between the number of warheads and total number of missiles neither give both countries an advantage over the other. If, for example, the Russians launched a first-strike attack against the US using more missiles with greater mega-tonnage, the US will be able to retaliate with the same amount of destructive force due to the wider range of targets that their warheads can hit.
Then & Now
Man has fought many different wars throughout history. As seen in history, wars have been fought in many fronts with different reasons and different results. Each war fought by man has a unique characteristic that differentiates each from another. The difference is caused by the development of technology. Technology has shaped the course of wars. Furthermore, the discovery of new technology, such as the nuclear know how, gave its possessor a new understanding of military might"victory not in numbers, but in technology".
The meaning of military-might has been changing through time. The catalyst for the change is caused by technological developments made by man. The change of the meaning of military might can be seen in the many wars that have been fought in modern history. Let us consider World War I and World War II.During World War I nations have battled each other believing that sheer numbers can win the war, but was proven wrong. The war saw technologies such as the airplane and tanks, which later caused the defeat of the central forces against the grand alliance. World War I ended leaving 40 million people dead because war was fought mainly in the ground.
On the other hand, however, World War II host new changes in the definition of military might. In the 140's, the discovery of nuclear technology catalyzed the change in the definition of military mightsupremacy in numbers to supremacy in technology. As we all know, the war ended when the US dropped the atomic bomb over Japan.
The introduction of nuclear weapons in the 140's gave new meaning to military might, hence, changing approach towards war. Te three chief features of nuclear weapons account for this change (1) effective defense against massive nuclear attacks is virtually impossiblesafety can be achieved only by deterring an attack; () the destructive power of nuclear weapons amplifies the threat of retaliation by nations who possesses such weapons; and () the scale of destruction achievable in nuclear war can greatly exceed the value of any gains likely to be achieved by an initial attack.
Conclusion
Nuclear weapons have, indeed, give a new perspective in a nations military might. It enabled nations who possess then the ability to project power beyond its borders. Nuclear weapons gives nations not only power, but also responsibilitiesto make sure that these weapons will not be used.
Works Cited
Cross, S., & Zevelev, I. (1). Global Security Beyond the Millennium.
New York St. Martin's Press.
Microsoft. (000). The Encarta Encyclopedia 001 [CD-Rom].
Microsoft Company, USA.
Gregory, D. (186). The Nuclear Predicament a source book.
Los Angeles St. Martin's Press.
Bender, D., & Leone, B. (185). Nuclear War Opposing View Points.
San Diego California Green Haven Press.
Blair, B.G. (15). Global Alert for Nuclear weapons.
Washington D.C. Brookings Institute.
Mearshiemer, J. (188). Conventional Deterrence.
London Corrnel University Press.
Sigal, L. (184). Nuclear forces In Europe.
Washington D.C.Brookings Institute.
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