Why Didn't America Nuke the USSR in 1945?

Summary

This video script delves into a hypothetical scenario where the US went to war with the Soviet Union in 1945. It explores the balance of military power between the US, Britain, and the USSR, focusing on the strategic challenges, nuclear capabilities, and the potential costs of such a war. The script discusses military advantages, the logistical difficulties of nuclear warfare, and highlights 'Operation Unthinkable' – a British plan to confront the USSR. The narrative also ties into a MagellanTV documentary on post-WWII events, offering viewers insights into this alternate history and its broader implications.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1945, Britain, the USA, and the Soviet Union were the three victors of WWII, with the USA emerging as the dominant power in terms of economic strength, military might, and nuclear monopoly.
• 😀 The USA was the only major country unaffected by the war, holding 50% of the world's GDP and having the strongest navy and air force, alongside a nuclear monopoly.
• 😀 Despite this power, the USA did not immediately attempt to destroy the Soviet Union, which had yet to develop nuclear weapons (until 1949).
• 😀 A war between the USA and the USSR in 1945 would likely not have been nuclear, as the US had only a limited number of nuclear bombs, with just one and a half cores produced per month.
• 😀 The Soviet Union held a significant numerical advantage in soldiers, tanks, and tactical aircraft, making it a formidable force on the ground in Europe.
• 😀 The US held an advantage in strategic aircraft, but launching successful nuclear strikes on Moscow or Leningrad would have faced significant challenges due to Soviet air defenses.
• 😀 Even with a surprise nuclear attack, the Soviet Union would have had the capacity to advance through Western Europe, aided by the flat terrain and their large military forces.
• 😀 The only areas where the Allies might have resisted the Soviets would be coastal pockets and mountainous regions like Italy, where naval superiority could have played a role.
• 😀 A prolonged war with the USSR would have been costly and unappealing to the Western public, a conclusion reached by the British Joint Planning Staff during the exploration of a potential Soviet war in 1945.
• 😀 The US Army Air Force in September 1945 drafted a top-secret plan detailing how to defeat the Soviet Union, recognizing that a surprise attack would be the only viable option.
• 😀 The plan required over 200 nuclear bombs to strike Soviet cities and disrupt military logistics, but the USA's nuclear arsenal was not yet large enough to execute this strategy, and by the time it grew, the Soviet Union had developed its own deterrents.

Q & A

What was the primary advantage of the USA after World War II?

After World War II, the USA had a significant advantage due to its unscathed economy, controlling 50% of the world's GDP, and holding a monopoly on nuclear weapons.

Why didn’t the US immediately engage in a war with the Soviet Union after World War II?

Despite its overwhelming power, the US didn't engage in a war with the Soviet Union immediately because it lacked sufficient nuclear weapons and would have faced a long, costly total war, particularly in Europe, where the Soviets had a large military advantage.

What was Operation Unthinkable?

Operation Unthinkable was a British military plan developed in 1945 under Winston Churchill’s leadership, which hypothesized a possible war against the Soviet Union. It was ultimately discarded after the Labour Party's victory in the general election later that year.

What challenges did the United States face in launching a nuclear attack on the USSR in 1945?

The main challenges for the US in 1945 included a lack of ready nuclear bombs, slow production rates, and the range limitations of aircraft like the B-29 superfortress, which couldn't reach distant Soviet targets. Additionally, the USSR had significant anti-aircraft defenses.

How many nuclear bombs were estimated to be needed to defeat the Soviet Union according to US plans?

According to US military planners, around 400 nuclear bombs would be required to defeat the Soviet Union. This included bombs for cities, military bases, and strategic isolation efforts like destroying important canals.

What was the role of the B-36 bomber in US plans for a potential war with the Soviet Union?

The B-36 bomber was considered crucial in US plans due to its longer range compared to the B-29 superfortress. It was expected to reach Soviet targets beyond the Ural Mountains, but it wasn’t operational until 1948, three years after the US’s 1945 plans.

What was the significance of the Soviet Union's relocation of industry during World War II?

The Soviet Union’s relocation of industry beyond the Ural Mountains, away from the threat of Nazi invasion, made it harder for the US to target the USSR’s industrial base effectively, as these areas were outside the reach of American bombers in 1945.

Why was nuclear war with the Soviet Union deemed unpalatable by the Western public?

The idea of nuclear war with the Soviet Union was unpalatable due to the immense destruction and loss of life it would entail, as well as the moral and political implications of such a drastic action against a former ally.

How did the British Joint Planning Staff view the potential of a war with the Soviet Union?

The British Joint Planning Staff, in their analysis, concluded that a war with the Soviet Union would be extremely costly and difficult to win, especially given the Soviets' military strength in Europe, leading to the eventual abandonment of Operation Unthinkable.

What role did the MagellanTV documentary play in relation to the events of 1945?

The MagellanTV documentary provides an in-depth exploration of key events from 1945, including the collapse of the Third Reich, the beginning of the Cold War, and the broader global transitions of the post-war period, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the historical context surrounding these events.