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During the Cold War many thousands of nuclear weapons were built by the two opposing camps of the US and the USSR. The purpose of these weapons was not to use them, thereby destroying the human race and making the entire world too radioactive for any person to survive, but rather, it was just a threat. This was formally described as the MAD doctrine, Mutual Assured Destruction. If war were to break out between the US and the USSR, the amount of nuclear weapons involved would be so great that we would be assured that both nations, along with all other nations, would be destroyed. Although this seems like a crazy basis of defense policy, it actually did work. The US and the USSR never attacked each other directly, although they constantly maneuvered for greater international influence, up until the final collapse of the USSR, from its own internal weakness.

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What factors discouraged the use of nuclear bombs during the cold war?

Mutual Assured Destruction and proxy wars.


When did the 'Mutual Assured Destruction' began?

It began in the 1940s at the start of the Cold War.


Under which president was the policy of mutual assured destruction used?

Ronald Reagan


What is the importance of Mutual Assured Destruction?

It ensures (hopefully) that both nations are too frightened to launch their nuclear munitions.


What are some ways we tried to stop the Soviet Union in the cold war?

mutual assured destruction, espionage, detente.


What was the cold war strategy where by the US was prepared to engage in massive nuclear retaliation at anytime?

MAD - Mutual Assured Destruction


What did the Mutual assured destruction state?

If you try to blow me up I will blow you up. Nobody wins, so don't try.


What is mutual assured destruction?

The level of nuclear weapons required to completely destroy both sides in any war making use of such weapons.


During the Cold War the foreign policy of the US called for in the event of a Soviet attack.?

Massive Retaliation


What was the official name of the policy under which either the US or the Soviet Union would respond to a nuclear attack by launching its own missile?

Mutual assured destruction


How does the nuclear bomb affect the world?

Preventing other countries with nuclear munitions from using them (nuclear deterrence, mutual assured destruction). Or, obviously, to end the world


What did the US call for in event of a Soviet attack?

Massive retaliation. The policy was called MAD- Mutual Assured Destruction. If you blow up my country, I will blow up your country.