The Space Race grew out of a conflict known as the Cold War. While not a war in the traditional sense, the two countries were in a state of military and technological competition that had global implications. One of the key aspects of this rivalry was the race to develop and possess advanced weapons systems. The United States and the Soviet Union were the primary players in this competition, each striving to outdo the other in terms of military capabilities.
In this report, the Emeritus Chair compares the key trends in civil and military power in the United States, China, Russia, and other major global powers. The arms race during the Cold War was a central focus of this analysis, as it shaped the balance of power between nations and influenced international relations for decades to come.
The new Cold War, also known as Cold War 2.0, is characterized by simmering tensions, breach of international norms, proxy wars, and arms race. The competition for advanced weapons technology continues to be a key feature of this modern-day conflict, with superpowers seeking to gain an edge over their rivals through military innovation.
Fierce debates about whether the world is multipolar, unipolar, or bipolar are often shaped by theories about which system is best for U.S. national security interests. The arms race during the Cold War era was a manifestation of this struggle for dominance, with both the U.S. and the Soviet Union seeking to assert their power through military might.
Tensions between the United States and its unlikely ally in the Soviet Union persisted throughout World War II. Western Allied leaders did not forget the lessons of the war and sought to prevent a similar conflict from arising in the future. This led to the intense competition for advanced weapons systems during the Cold War, as both sides sought to deter aggression and maintain their strategic advantage.
The zeal the US and the USSR had to outperform one another proved quite beneficial to the progress of science. The work culture of the two superpowers was driven by a desire to stay ahead in the arms race, leading to innovations in technology and research that had far-reaching implications beyond the military realm.
Originally published by Robert J. McMahon, Professor of History at The Ohio State University, this report delves into the nuclear arms race that defined the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. The development and proliferation of nuclear weapons were perhaps the most alarming features of this rivalry, with both sides stockpiling weapons of mass destruction in a bid for supremacy.
