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The Soviet Union detonated its first atomic device on August 29, 1949. The
event surprised American nuclear scientists--who hadn't expected it so
soon--and shook the American public's sense of security. Thousands of Americans
volunteered to scan the skies with binoculars for Soviet bombers as part of
"Operation Skywatch."
The Communist revolution in China and the successful detonation of the Soviet's
first atomic device caused President Truman to reassess the United State's
position in the world. NSC 68, a National Security Council document
approved by President Truman in 1950, called for the United States to
substantially build up its conventional and nuclear forces to stop the spread
of Soviet influence in the world.
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