Final answer:
President Harry S. Truman ordered the production of the hydrogen bomb in response to the Soviet Union's atomic test, to maintain U.S. superiority in nuclear technology, and to justify the costs of the Manhattan Project. The successful detonation in 1952 marked a significant escalation in the Cold War arms race.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Harry S. Truman had multiple reasons to push for the development of the hydrogen bomb. Primarily, his decision was a response to the Soviet Union's atomic bomb test in 1949, which ignited a significant advancement in the Cold War arms race. The U.S. sought to maintain technological superiority, and the hydrogen bomb was a more powerful advancement over the existing atomic bombs.
The hydrogen bomb's development was also partly driven by a desire to justify the immense costs of the Manhattan Project and to save American lives in the event of future conflicts. Furthermore, pressure to demonstrate power to the Soviet Union was a significant factor. The successful test of the hydrogen bomb in 1952 massively increased the destructive power of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, which was a clear message during the tension-filled early years of the Cold War.
In the backdrop of these events, it is also crucial to acknowledge the scientific achievements leading to this moment. The Manhattan Project had previously achieved the first self-sustained nuclear reactor in 1942 and continuously developed nuclear technology, leading up to the creation of nuclear weapons and later, the conception of the hydrogen bomb by scientists like Robert Oppenheimer.