Final answer:
The Cold War arms race began with the U.S. as the only atomic power in 1945 but escalated quickly when the Soviet Union tested its atomic bomb in 1949. This led to a rivalry marked by the creation of increasingly powerful nuclear weapons, including hydrogen bombs, and the stockpiling of arsenals fueled by the policy of deterrence. Despite the risks, both superpowers continued the arms race, expanding their capabilities with missiles and submarines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cold War Arms Race
After World War II, the United States emerged as the sole atomic power, sparking the beginning of a nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union. Despite the U.S.'s initial monopoly on atomic technology, the USSR quickly caught up, detonating its first atomic bomb in 1949, much earlier than American predictions. This event ended America's exclusive control over atomic weapons and initiated a critical period of nuclear arms competition between the two superpowers.
As both nations sought to assert their dominance, the United States tested the first hydrogen bomb in 1952 at Eniwetok in the Pacific, a weapon significantly more powerful than earlier atomic bombs. The Soviet Union responded by developing and testing their version of the hydrogen bomb a few years later. This continuous one-upmanship in nuclear capabilities was the hallmark of the arms race during the Cold War era, as both countries stockpiled massive arsenals to maintain a policy of deterrence. This strategy was intended to prevent the other from launching an attack due to the fear of overwhelming nuclear retaliation.
The weapons development was not without consequences; for instance, the U.S. test known as Castle Bravo in 1954 at Bikini Island resulted in severe radioactive contamination, affecting Japanese fisherman and illustrating the broader dangers of nuclear war. This period also saw discussions about international regulation of nuclear weapons, which were never fully realized due to concerns over compliance and enforcement. The arms race continued with the advent of nuclear missiles and submarines, escalating the potential for a devastating global conflict.