Final answer:
The idea of mutually assured destruction (MAD) in the Cold War led to increased spending on conventional military forces and contributed to an atmosphere of impending fear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea of mutually assured destruction (MAD) refers to the defense policy adopted by the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. MAD meant that if one side launched a nuclear attack, the other side would respond in kind, leading to the annihilation of both countries. This concept resulted in increased spending on conventional military forces, as both sides wanted to have the capacity to fight a conventional war if nuclear deterrence failed. It also contributed to an atmosphere of impending fear, as both nations recognized the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear conflict.