http://hist380.ferrellhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/HIST-380-Project-3-3-Abstract.pdf
3 thoughts on “An Abstract of Vojtech Masny’s “The 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: A Missed Opportunity for Détente?”
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I think it is always important to read another person’s interpretation of an argumentative essay; I chose the same project option about the U.S.’s “missed opportunity” but wanted to know what other people thought about what really caused the limited trade-ban treaty to remain limited. I think you do a great job detailing the events that preceded the signing of the LTBT. You also mention the political motivations of the Soviet leadership, which to me, seem like the stronger motivation than actual détente. World War II was devastating to Europe, and Khrushchev wanted to legitimize the Soviet Union and be seen as equals amongst world powers. Especially after making himself and the USSR look bad during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Khrushchev wanted to improve his reputation. The LTBT helped him do that. The U.S. was able to get Khrushchev to agree to a limited treaty and by doing so, he shed light on his positives. Khrushchev, since he was able to do this, did not have any real desires to make the limited treaty into one that was more comprehensive. The U.S. therefore missed their opportunity for détente by not pushing Khrushchev to complete the treaty.
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You did a good job of surmising Mastny’s article. I did this project too, mostly due to my computer illiteracy with making videos. Matny does a well in showing the history of and build up to the LTBT, but I felt like certain aspects were lacking. He does not, for instance, elaborate more on the US perspective, other than it viewed the Cold War strictly through a military lens. I understand that this is due to him wanting to focus on the Soviets, but a quick paragraph would have made this a better read, to those unfamiliar with the subject matter. I also think that he should have given more attention to the inner workings of the Kremlin. What are your personal opinions on the LTBT? Do you think it was a missed opportunity, or the best outcome that could be expected? I lean more towards the later of the two. It is easy now to say that one thing or another should have been done, but that is not entirely a fair way to look at things.
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I found this essay very interesting. Beyond the obvious implications of nuclear control, I can’t help but wonder about the effects of stricter nuclear testing in other spheres, such as in the scientific community. (In addition, would these restrictions have either prevented the Chernobyl disaster or encouraged the scientific community to share knowledge to the point were it would have been less disastrous?) I also can’t help but to see parallels between the arguments used in the 1960’s by the Soviet Union to avoid nuclear disarmament/control and the arguments used by countries today. It’s interesting to see the parallels between history and modern politics. (I pledge 107)