War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Carter's New World; First Matador Firing in the Far East

Part of War and Peace in the Nuclear Age.

05/02/1958

Coverage of the first firing of the Matador on Formosa, which was witnessed by President and Mrs. Chiang Kai-shek; Maj. Gen. Bassett, D/Com, TDC; Vice Admiral Doyle; Brig. Gen. Dean, Assistant to Maj. Gen. Bassett; and US Ambassador, Mr. Everett F. Drumright. Scenes are included of the Matador in firing position and being launched.

License Clip

Series

War and Peace in the Nuclear Age

Program

Carter's New World

Program Number

109

Title

First Matador Firing in the Far East

Series Description

The first atomic explosion in the New Mexico desert on July 16, 1945, changed the world forever. This series chronicles these changes and the history of a new era. It traces the development of nuclear weapons, the evolution of nuclear strategy, and the politics of a world with the power to destroy itself.

In thirteen one-hour programs that combine historic footage and recent interviews with key American, Soviet, and European participants, the nuclear age unfolds: the origin and evolution of nuclear weapons; the people of the past who have shaped the events of the present; the ideas and issues that political leaders, scientists, and the public at large must confront, and the prospects for the future. Nuclear Age highlights the profound changes in contemporary thinking imposed by the advent of nuclear weapons. Series release date: 1/1989

Program Description

President Carter comes to office determined to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and to improve relations with the Soviet Union. His frustrations are as grand as his intentions.

Carter had hoped the United States and the Soviet Union would reduce their reliance on nuclear weapons. He stopped production of the B-1 bomber. He believed the SALT II negotiations would be a step toward eliminating nuclear weapons. But his intentions were frustrated by Soviet actions and by a lack of consensus among his own advisors, including Chief SALT II negotiator Paul Warnke and national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski (who was dubious about arms control). Carter balanced Soviet aggression in Africa by improving American relations with China. He withdrew SALT II treaty from Senate consideration but its terms continued to serve as general limits on strategic nuclear force levels for both the United States and the Soviet Union.

Duration

00:03:30

Asset Type

Stock footage

Media Type

Video

Subjects

Locations

Genres

Topics

Rights Summary

In perpetuity ; Public Domain Rights Holder: NARA

Citation

Chicago: “War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Carter's New World; First Matador Firing in the Far East,” 05/02/1958, GBH Archives, accessed December 22, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9281BB694F834016826C7C8C8AF0B95C.

MLA: “War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Carter's New World; First Matador Firing in the Far East.” 05/02/1958. GBH Archives. Web. December 22, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9281BB694F834016826C7C8C8AF0B95C>.

APA: War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Carter's New World; First Matador Firing in the Far East. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9281BB694F834016826C7C8C8AF0B95C

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War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Carter's New World; First Matador Firing in the Far East