Massive retaliation is a military strategy that involves responding to any aggression or attack with overwhelming force, including the use of nuclear weapons. This doctrine was developed during the early years of the Cold War, particularly in the late 1950s, and was intended to deter potential aggressors from initiating conflict by making it clear that any attack would result in a devastating response. The principle behind massive retaliation was that the threat of a massive, all-out response would be sufficient to dissuade potential adversaries from taking any action that might lead to war. The policy was later revised to become more flexible and nuanced, but the concept of using overwhelming force to deter aggression remains a key element of military strategy today.
