mid+20th+century+group+5+a+Nuclear+Test+Ban+Treaty+(1963)

=Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963)=

==Overview== The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in Moscow, Russia on August 5, 1963, between the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. The Test Ban Treaty of 1963 prohibits nuclear weapons tests or any other nuclear explosion in the atmosphere, in outer space, and underwater. While not banning tests underground, the Treaty does prohibit nuclear explosions in this environment if they cause radioactive activity to be present outside the territorial limits of the country who conducted the explosion.Signatories also pledged to work towards complete disarmament, and an end to the armaments race. In accepting limitations on testing, the nuclear powers accepted as a common goal "an end to the contamination of man's environment by radioactive substances."

Critical Issue
The destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by Atomic Bombs marked the end of WWII and the beginning of the nuclear age. As tension grew between East and West scientist in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union started to create more destructive nuclear weapons. Soon the public and political leaders began to see the effects of such weapons and knew the issue of nuclear weapons needed to be addressed. John F. Kennedy took a strong stand on the issue during his presidency, supporting a ban on nuclear weapons which he believed would prevent other countries from obtaining nuclear weapons and be the first step to nuclear disarmament. John F. Kennedy attempted to stop nuclear testing by the United States; however, the Soviet Union continued to conduct tests. Military and Political adviser's pressured Kennedy to continue testing in the United States in fear that the Soviet Union would gain the advantage in the arms race. Kennedy challenged the Soviet Union “not to an arms race, but to a peace race.” Unsuccessful in his first efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement Kennedy was forced to re-allow testing in the United States in 1962. Soon the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States re-opened negotiations. By 1963, Khrushchev and Kennedy began discussing the ban of nuclear testing once again. Kennedy boldly called for an end to the Cold War. “If we cannot end our differences,” he said, “at least we can help make the world a safe place for diversity.”

Conclusion/Historical Significance
Negotiations over the Test Ban Treaty were conducted in Moscow. An agreement to limit the scope of the test ban paved the way for a treaty. By excluding underground tests from the pact, negotiators eliminated the need for the on-site inspections that worried the Soviet Union. On July 25, 1963, after only 12 days of negotiations, the two nations agreed to ban testing in the atmosphere, in space, and underwater. T == == he following day, in a television address announcing the agreement, Kennedy claimed that a limited test ban “is safer by far for the United States than an unlimited nuclear arms race.” In Moscow on August 5, 1963, The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed between the U.S, Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. The public was pleased of the Treaty, knowing the world was now much safer from weapons of mass destruction.