How did the event shown in the photograph affect the Cold War arms race? It convinced military leaders in the United States to begin developing an anti-ballistic missile defense shield.

It showed U. S. and Soviet leaders that conventional weapons were outdated, which led to a cut in defense spending In both nations,

It showed both superpowers how dangerous atomic weapons were, prompting the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT).

It led to educational funding in the United States and the drive to create an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).