the Hydrogen Bomb and the Nuclear Arms Race

U.S. Drops First A Bomb

Jul 16, 1945

The U.S. drops the first ever atomic bomb.

Atomic Energy Comission Setup

Aug 1, 1946

Truman gives nuclear control from military to civilian hands and sets up the AEC. These people have the potential to oversee thermonuclear weapons as well.

The Soviets Drop Their First A-Bomb

Aug 29, 1949

The soviets drop their first A-Bomb. This causes panic in the U.S. because experts did not believe they would be able to discover the technology quickly enough,

Soviet A-Bomb causes thermonuclear weapons ideas

Sep 1, 1949

Sometime shortly after the Soviet nuclear weapon detonation, Lewis Strauss pushes for the discovery of new thermonuclear weapons in order to gain an advantage over the Soviets. This eventually leads to the idea of the Hydrogen bomb.

Report on Thermonuclear Weapons Submitted to President

Oct 20, 1949

Sometime in October, David Lilenthal, the main adversary of atomic bomb production, submitted a report to Truman suggesting that he not Pursue H-Bomb production. Lilenthal was put on a committee with two other scientists who both supported the H-Bomb.

Committee Reaches a Conclusion

Jan 1, 1950

Sometime in January 1950, the committee on thermonuclear weapons that Truman created reached a split decision: Advisors Dean Acheson and Luis Johnson wanted to pursue H-Bomb production and Lilenthal still remained Steadfast in his opposition.

Truman Reveals H-Bomb Plans

Jan 19, 1950

Truman is surprised when he is aksed by a reporter about his plans for the new "super" bomb. Even though this information was not supposed to be leaked in the first place, Truman reveals his plans to continue research on the H-Bomb in front of the world in a press conference,

Klaus Fuchs Arrested For Espionage

Jan 21, 1950

Klaus Fuchs, a german native, is arrested by the British for selling secrets he received from working as a scientist on the Manhattan project to the Soviets. This act of espionage only solidified Trumans opinion that H-Bomb production must be pursued.

H-Bomb Program directed

Mar 10, 1950

Truman Directs the Atomic Engergy Commission to develop a specific program for the Production of H bombs.

H-Bomb Design Finished

Jul 15, 1951

Dr. Richard L. Garwin and Edward Teller finalize their design for the hydrogen bomb.

First Hydrogen Bomb Dropped

Nov 1, 1952

Ivy Mike, the firrst Hydrogen bomb, was detonated by the U.S. This new hydrogen bomb is different from an atomic bomb because it relies primarily upon atomic fusion, whereas the atomic bomb relies on fission.