During the Cold War era, nuclear weapons were being developed and tested with little understanding of their true capabilities and the potential impact. The political debate at the time centered around whether using these city-destroying weapons would actually lead to a positive outcome, and if the other side truly believed that they would be used.
The strategy of the US government to nuke everything or nothing left no option other than to capitulate if the threat was called. NSC 68, one of the most important documents in American history, highlighted the risks of this strategy and made policymakers rethink their approach to national defense.
The Korean War led to the implementation of NSC 68 which advocated for an increase in defense spending on both nuclear and conventional weapons. The war also challenged the efficacy of atomic weapons and demonstrated the need for more nuanced approaches to international crises.