Declassified Cold War documents reveal how American officials considered the potentially catastrophic consequences of a nuclear conflict between major powers. The possibility of a nuclear attack on Washington, D.C., adds another disturbing dimension to the subject, although the connection between the specific historical records and that scenario requires verification.
During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union maintained substantial nuclear arsenals and prepared for the possibility of direct military confrontation. Officials examined potential conflict scenarios, weighing the consequences of nuclear warfare and the risks of escalation.
