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"The deterrent-nuclear warfare", 01 Mar 1955

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/57A/33-89

Scope and Contents

Speech notes for WSC's speech (House of Commons) on subjects including: the unique division of the world into nuclear Communist and non-Communist sides; WSC's prediction of the power of nuclear energy in 1931; nuclear development in Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union; the lack of defence against the hydrogen bomb; difficulties in fair disarmament; defence through deterrents, including the ability to paralyse Soviet airfields, industrial targets and submarine bases; the power of the hydrogen bomb and direct effects of radiation and nuclear fall-out; the increased vulnerability of the Soviet Union to attack; the present low chances of war and the approaching saturation stage of equal deterrents on both sides; the maintenance of conventional defences in NATO, the Commonwealth and the United Nations; and Britain's need for an effective system of civil defence and its own deterrent. Concludes "Meanwhile never flinch, never weary, never despair."Typescript speaking notes laid out in "psalm" style to aid delivery. Annotated in red and black ink by WSC. Also includes list of contents for the speech notes and filing envelope.

Dates

  • Creation: 01 Mar 1955

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright: WSC and Crown

Extent

56 folio(s)

Language of Materials

English

External Documents

Bibliography

Complete Speeches VIII pp 8625 - 33

Subject

Repository Details

Part of the Churchill Archives Centre Repository

Contact:
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 0DS United Kingdom
+44 (0)1223 336087