The Nuclear Arms Race: From First Lightning to Limited Test Ban Treaty

Post-WWII, the US and USSR emerged as superpowers, initiating a nuclear arms race. The Soviet Union's first atomic bomb test in 1949, aided by espionage, shocked the world and led to increased US military spending and the development of the hydrogen bomb. The Cold War intensified with further nuclear tests by both nations. Environmental damage and public concern eventually led to the Limited Test Ban Treaty in 1963, which restricted nuclear tests in certain environments.

Which two countries emerged as superpowers after World War II?

• United States and China

• Germany and Japan

• United Kingdom and Soviet Union

• United States and Soviet Union

What was the codename given to the first Soviet atomic bomb test by the West?

• Joe-1

• First Lightning

• Red Thunder

• Soviet Star

How did the United States initially respond to the news of the Soviet atomic bomb test?

• By signing a peace treaty with the Soviet Union

• By increasing military spending and developing the hydrogen bomb

• By ignoring the news

• By launching a military attack

What was the size of the cloud produced by the first US hydrogen bomb test?

• 160 kilometers wide and 40 kilometers high

• 100 kilometers wide and 20 kilometers high

• 200 kilometers wide and 50 kilometers high

• 80 kilometers wide and 30 kilometers high

In what year did both the US and Soviet Union temporarily suspend nuclear testing?

• 1963

• 1960

• 1958

• 1955

What was the main purpose of the Limited Test Ban Treaty signed in 1963?

• To develop more powerful nuclear weapons

• To halt atmospheric, underwater, and outer space nuclear tests

• To end the Cold War

• To reduce military spending

Which countries were involved in the signing of the Limited Test Ban Treaty?

• United States, Soviet Union, and Germany

• United States, Japan, and Italy

• United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom

• United States, China, and France