When Truman told Stalin about US’s new weapons at Potsdam Potsdam Conference, July-Aug 1945 (e.g. atomic bomb):

  • likely that Truman trying to intimidate Stalin with this information
  • Although this information might have concerned him Stalin showed little reaction
  • In fact Stalin already knew about Atomic bomb from Soviet Spies.
  • Did not react because he did not want to show Truman he was concerned
  • Stalin had already ordered Soviet Technicians + scientists to develop an atomic bomb before Potsdam conference.

By 1949 both superpowers had atomic weapons