THE GENESIS OF THE US NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAMS

Abstract

The article examines the main stages in the development of nuclear missile programs of the United States of America from the moment of their development to the modern period. In the course of the research, general scientific research methods were used, as well as logical methods and empirical methods. In particular, historical methods of scientific knowledge, comparative methods, methods of deduction and induction were used, historical reconstruction and analytical interpretation of the development of US nuclear missile programs were carried out. The main factors that influenced the features of various stages of the formation and development of nuclear missile programs in different periods of the Republican and Democratic rule are presented. The main characteristics of the stages of development of nuclear missile programs in North American military doctrines are shown during the periods of domination of various political ideologies. Particular attention is focused on the periods of the presidency of the presidents of the Democratic and Republican parties, the differences in the development of these programs. The article substantiates that the development of American nuclear missile programs is a complex and important scientific problem, given the presence in the United States of the status of the most powerful state in world politics. It has been substantiated that this factor is one of the main reasons for its influence in world political processes in the conditions of post-bipolar development of international relations. It has been proved that the dynamics of the development of US nuclear missile programs was influenced by security factors that were formed in the process of aggravating international relations with states with nuclear potential, trying to influence world politics, as well as in the context of strengthening the fight against international terrorism. It is shown that at the present stage, in comparison with the initial period, the deterrence criterion is fundamental in the US nuclear missile political doctrine, due to the fundamental transformation of the American military doctrine.