Learning to Love the Bomb

by Maloney, Sean M.

• ISBN13: 9781574886160
• ISBN10: 1574886169
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-07-25
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc

Summary

In Learning to Love the Bomb, Sean M. Maloney explores the controversial subject of Canada's acquisition of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Based on newly declassified Canadian and U.S. documents, it examines policy, strategy, operational, and technical matters and weaves these seemingly disparate elements into a compelling story that finally unlocks several Cold War mysteries. For example, while U.S. military forces during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis were focused on the Caribbean Sea and the southeastern United States, Canadian forces assumed responsibility for defending the northern United States, with aircraft armed with nuclear depth charges flying patrols and guarding against missile attack by Soviet submarines. This defensive strategy was a closely guarded secret because it conflicted with Canada's image as a peacekeeper and therefore a more passive member of NATO than its ally to the south. It is revealed here for the first time. The place of nuclear weapons in Canadian history has, until now, been a highly secret and misunderstood field subject to rumor, rhetoric, half-truths, and propaganda. Learning to Love the Bombreveals the truth about Canada's role as a nuclear power.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	p. ix
List of Abbreviations	p. xi
Preface	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xxiii
Canada and the Cold War to 1951	p. 1
Fear Is Not an Option: A New Strategy, 1952-1955	p. 19
The Goalie's Big Stick: Canadian Strategy and the New Look, 1955-1957	p. 51
Information Is Power: Canada and Nuclear Weapons Testing	p. 77
There Was Only One Catch: Diefenbaker Takes Control, 1956-1957	p. 99
Is Power Nothing Without Control? Continental Defense Problems and Domestic Politics, 1957-1959	p. 123
Engines for Armageddon: Canadian Nuclear Forces and NATO, 1957-1960	p. 159
Enter Thor's Gauntlet, Wielding a Wrench: Canadian Problems with the USAF Strategic Air Command, 1958-1960	p. 171
Canada's Nuclear Crisis, Part I: A Year of Transition, 1960	p. 201
Canada's Nuclear Crisis, Part II: Frustrating Incrementalism, 1961	p. 229
Dodging the Nuclear Bullet: Canada and the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962-1963	p. 261
Close to the Apex: The Pearson Government, Nuclear Weapons, and National Security Policy, 1963-1964	p. 295
Delivering the Bomb: Canada Goes Nuclear	p. 323
Conclusion	p. 359
Notes	p. 377
Selected Bibliography	p. 447
Index	p. 459
About the Author	p. 471
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.