🇪🇺ap european history review

Mutually assured destruction

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A Cold War strategic doctrine in which both superpowers possessed enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, creating a balance of terror that loomed over European society.

AP course connection

Topic 9.3: 9.3 The Cold War

Unit 9

"Mutually assured destruction" also found in: