| From Dec. 19th to Dec. 21st, 1962, the Nassau Conference was convened between Great Britain and America. The aim of the conference was to resolve the nuclear weapons trade conflict between the two countries. This Conference was rooted deeply in changes in American nuclear strategy at that time, and the impact her new strategy would have had on America and West European countries in the 1960s. The Americans used this conference to persuade NATO countries to adopt their new nuclear strategy; also known as "Flexible Response." The Nassau conference generated considerable debates amongst the NATO countries which preferred, instead, their "Great Equation" nuclear strategy. The debates are one of the bases on which NATO countries accepted "flexible response" strategy eventually.This thesis consists of three parts:Part one details the background of the Nassau Conference's nuclear strategy conflict between America and West European countries during 1960s. Beginning in 1961, as a result of the current political situation of the Cold War, Kennedy's government implemented a new nuclear strategy called "Flexible Response" which was considered much more believable in actual combat situations. At the same time, because of economic and political reasons, NATO countries insisted on a "Great Equation" strategy which was developed during the 1950s. This sharp strategy conflict almost led to the break up of NATO, the tool and defensive wall of USA against the Soviets during the Cold War. In order to consolidate the strategy of NATO, America actively tried to promote this strategy change in Western Europe. However, the American efforts backfired and, instead, intensified their differences with their West European Allies. The American's actions subsequently motivated Western Europe's desire to provide for their own safety and their own nuclear force independent of American influences. The rejection led America into deadlock.Part two expounds upon the "Skybolt Crisis" that erupted between Great Britain and America during the Nassau Conference in 1962. The Skybolt missile designed by the Eisenhower government could not meet the survival capabilities of nuclear weapons stipulated by the "Flexible Response" strategy. As a result, the Kennedy government halted the missile's development. Britain, a staunch supporter of the "Great Equation" strategy which was dependent on the success of the Skybolt missile, was critical of this decision. The missile symbolized Britain's status as an independent military power. Since Britain and America could not agree on a strategy, the "Skybolt Crisis" escalated quickly. It was then hoped that the leaders of the two countries might resolve their differences during the Nassau Conference and its preparative meetings. Right before the Nassau conference, the two countries reached a tacit agreement during a preparative meeting. The USA would supply Britain with "Polaris" missiles in return for their adoption of the "Flexible Response" strategy. The "Skybolt Crisis" was thus resolved. Hence, what was left for discussion during the Nassau Conference was the divergence of the two countries' strategies and defense policies. Basically, if Britain adopts "Flexible Response" and follow the "Multilateral" plan promoted by the Americans, should their limited resources be used more for setting up an independent nuclear force or for strengthening their conventional forces?Part three demonstrates the course of the Nassau conference, analyzes the "Nassau Agreement", and introduces the actions taken by America after the Nassau conference. Though America's effort failed at last, it caused the debates about strategy amongst West Europe countries, on which NATO countries accepted "flexible response" strategy eventually.This thesis discusses the Nassau conference's genesis, course, result, and later actions against the 1960s background. The conclusion that can be drawn from the resolution of the nuclear weapons trade conflict between Great Britain and America at the Nassau Conference is the following. It re... |
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