The Rise of Nuclear Power during the Cold War. 2 Social Science Disciplines 2 Social Science Disciplines Political impacts Social impacts

The Rise of The Rise of Nuclear Power Nuclear Power during the Cold during the Cold

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The Rise of Nuclear Power The Rise of Nuclear Power during the Cold Warduring the Cold War

2 Social Science Disciplines2 Social Science Disciplines Political impactsPolitical impacts Social impactsSocial impacts

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview

The Rise of Nuclear PowerThe Rise of Nuclear Power During WWII the United States feared During WWII the United States feared

Germany would be first to achieve Germany would be first to achieve nuclear power.nuclear power.

Sparked a race to obtain nuclear power Sparked a race to obtain nuclear power 11stst

1942 U.S. began Manhattan Project1942 U.S. began Manhattan Project

The Manhattan ProjectThe Manhattan Project

Initial intent was to defeat Germany Initial intent was to defeat Germany and end WWIIand end WWII

Took 3 years to complete the first Took 3 years to complete the first atomic weaponatomic weapon

Involved 100,000 men and cost $2 Involved 100,000 men and cost $2 billionbillion

11stst successful test July 16 successful test July 16thth 1945 1945

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific

Very high casualty ratesVery high casualty rates Japanese refused terms of surrenderJapanese refused terms of surrender Americans occupied small islands Americans occupied small islands

surrounding Japan, but had not yet surrounding Japan, but had not yet invaded main island.invaded main island.

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific

Nuclear weapons and WarNuclear weapons and War

President Truman President Truman used 2 nuclear used 2 nuclear weapons weapons

11stst – Hiroshima – Hiroshima (August 6 1945)(August 6 1945)

22ndnd – Nagasaki – Nagasaki (August 9 1945)(August 9 1945)

Effects of the Nuclear Effects of the Nuclear weaponweapon

WWII ended on August 14WWII ended on August 14thth 1945 1945 Post-war hopes and peace quickly Post-war hopes and peace quickly

disappeareddisappeared U.S. and Soviet Union relationship U.S. and Soviet Union relationship

damageddamaged Atomic bomb use marked the start of Atomic bomb use marked the start of

the Cold war and atomic arms racethe Cold war and atomic arms race

Political impacts of Nuclear Political impacts of Nuclear powerpower

1939 Leo Szilard predicted Germans 1939 Leo Szilard predicted Germans were working on nuclear power and were working on nuclear power and urged President Roosevelt to catch urged President Roosevelt to catch up.up.

Roosevelt realized the full potential of Roosevelt realized the full potential of the bombthe bomb

In 1943 the Soviets were aware the In 1943 the Soviets were aware the U.S. was developing nuclear power U.S. was developing nuclear power and began a program of their own.and began a program of their own.

Political Impacts of Nuclear Political Impacts of Nuclear PowerPower

Roosevelt made no attempt to involve the Roosevelt made no attempt to involve the Soviets on the Manhattan Project.Soviets on the Manhattan Project.

It appears by strengthening bond with It appears by strengthening bond with Great Britain, Roosevelt wanted a post-war Great Britain, Roosevelt wanted a post-war atomic monopoly to ensure and enforce atomic monopoly to ensure and enforce world peace.world peace.

On April 12, 1945 President Roosevelt died On April 12, 1945 President Roosevelt died and Vice President Harry Truman was and Vice President Harry Truman was finally informed about the Manhattan finally informed about the Manhattan Project.Project.


President Truman’s political strategy President Truman’s political strategy also followed the use of the atomic also followed the use of the atomic bomb.bomb.– Potsdam Conference July 16 1945Potsdam Conference July 16 1945

Truman made several comments indicating the Truman made several comments indicating the bomb would allow the U.S. to overpower the bomb would allow the U.S. to overpower the Soviets in the post-war worldSoviets in the post-war world

Truman no longer concerned with a Soviet Truman no longer concerned with a Soviet invasion of Japan; wanted to use the atomic invasion of Japan; wanted to use the atomic bombbomb

Truman’s demeanor toward the Soviets changed Truman’s demeanor toward the Soviets changed


Truman stated he never doubted that Truman stated he never doubted that the bomb should be usedthe bomb should be used

Other U.S. officials believed it was Other U.S. officials believed it was unnecessary to use the bomb to end unnecessary to use the bomb to end the war and believe the real motive the war and believe the real motive to use the weapon was the Russians.to use the weapon was the Russians.

Franck Report- advised President Franck Report- advised President about the potential problems about the potential problems resulting from the bomb’s useresulting from the bomb’s use

Political Impacts Post-WWIIPolitical Impacts Post-WWII

McMahon Legislation passedMcMahon Legislation passed– Truman proposed the weapon’s Truman proposed the weapon’s

preparations would remain a secretpreparations would remain a secret Truman insured people the U.S. Truman insured people the U.S.

would use the weapon to maintain would use the weapon to maintain peace and prevent its misuse.peace and prevent its misuse.

Truman stated the U.S. was “well Truman stated the U.S. was “well prepared” to enforce peace.prepared” to enforce peace.


Sec. of State, James F. Byrnes, at Sec. of State, James F. Byrnes, at September 1945 Conference “wore September 1945 Conference “wore bomb on his hip”bomb on his hip”– Implied threats to Soviets, opposed all Implied threats to Soviets, opposed all

efforts of international control, and efforts of international control, and urged scientists to build more powerful urged scientists to build more powerful weapons.weapons.


1946 President Stalin announced 5 1946 President Stalin announced 5 year plan to prepare Soviet Union for year plan to prepare Soviet Union for war with Westwar with West

Soviets desperately wanted to make Soviets desperately wanted to make an atomic bomb and demanded an atomic bomb and demanded scientists provide weapons ASAPscientists provide weapons ASAP

Soviets believed war with U.S. would Soviets believed war with U.S. would definitely include nuclear weaponsdefinitely include nuclear weapons


1946 Truman introduced 1946 Truman introduced “Containment Policy”“Containment Policy”

1948 Soviets blockaded Berlin, U.S. 1948 Soviets blockaded Berlin, U.S. threatened with nuclear warthreatened with nuclear war

1949 Soviets successfully tested 11949 Soviets successfully tested 1stst atomic bombatomic bomb

To counteract U.S. decided to build To counteract U.S. decided to build H-bombH-bomb


NATO- North NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Atlantic Treaty OrganizationOrganization– Formed in 1949Formed in 1949– Gave all free states Gave all free states

protection thru protection thru united forcesunited forces

– Encouraged Encouraged stockpiles of stockpiles of nuclear weapons in nuclear weapons in EuropeEurope

NSC-68NSC-68– Created in 1950Created in 1950– Suggested massive Suggested massive

buildup of weaponsbuildup of weapons– Encouraged Encouraged

stockpiles to insure stockpiles to insure future safetyfuture safety


Eisenhower, 1952, Eisenhower, 1952, began “New Look” began “New Look” policypolicy– Called for Massive Called for Massive

RetaliationRetaliation– Began overseas Began overseas

deploymentdeployment

1962, Cuban 1962, Cuban Missile CrisisMissile Crisis– Very close callVery close call– Resulted in Resulted in

withdrawal of withdrawal of weaponsweapons

– Leaders agreed Leaders agreed weapons pose weapons pose threat to all threat to all mankind, but arms mankind, but arms race continuedrace continued

Social Impacts of Nuclear Social Impacts of Nuclear PowerPower

Initially public opinion was in favor of Initially public opinion was in favor of the atomic weapon because…the atomic weapon because…– Saved American livesSaved American lives– Rationalized useRationalized use

As U.S. public learned of radiation As U.S. public learned of radiation effects they regarded using the effects they regarded using the bomb with regretbomb with regret


War time friendship between US and War time friendship between US and USSR quickly endedUSSR quickly ended– Friendship turned to fearFriendship turned to fear– Society regarded as war of “good and Society regarded as war of “good and

evil”evil”– By 1948, 73% of US felt war with Soviets By 1948, 73% of US felt war with Soviets

was inevitablewas inevitable


1949 Soviets announced their 1949 Soviets announced their completion of atomic weaponcompletion of atomic weapon– Public was stripped of any securityPublic was stripped of any security– U.S. public now feared an atomic attackU.S. public now feared an atomic attack– Fear and paranoia caused leaders to Fear and paranoia caused leaders to

buildup more weaponsbuildup more weapons


U.S. public stereotyped Soviets, and U.S. public stereotyped Soviets, and Soviets viewed Americans the sameSoviets viewed Americans the same

U.S. Gov. added to hysteria by U.S. Gov. added to hysteria by producing propaganda about nuclear producing propaganda about nuclear attacksattacks– Propaganda came in forms of films, Propaganda came in forms of films,

famous people’s speeches, television, famous people’s speeches, television, books, and watch dog groups.books, and watch dog groups.


People were urged to prepare for an People were urged to prepare for an attack by building fallout shelters attack by building fallout shelters and stocking suppliesand stocking supplies

Drills were enforced to test how Drills were enforced to test how ready society wasready society was

Everyday life of society was Everyday life of society was transformed with constant fear of an transformed with constant fear of an attackattack


Children participated in atomic drills Children participated in atomic drills at schoolat school– Included a pretend siren, huddling under Included a pretend siren, huddling under

their desks, covering their heads with their desks, covering their heads with hands and closing their eyeshands and closing their eyes

– Drills deeply disturbed some children, Drills deeply disturbed some children, created a strong fear and uneasiness created a strong fear and uneasiness among them in regards to the future among them in regards to the future and nuclear weaponsand nuclear weapons


Society eventually became outraged Society eventually became outraged and distrusted the government about and distrusted the government about nuclear powernuclear power

Society felt betrayed and Society felt betrayed and disappointeddisappointed

Public sentiment turned against Public sentiment turned against nuclear proliferation and advocated nuclear proliferation and advocated for disarmament, demanding a for disarmament, demanding a nuclear weapons freezenuclear weapons freeze

ConclusionConclusion

The creation and rise of nuclear The creation and rise of nuclear power set the political scene before power set the political scene before and during the Cold War. Nuclear and during the Cold War. Nuclear power also had an effect on many power also had an effect on many social aspects of life, people lived social aspects of life, people lived everyday with a present fear of a everyday with a present fear of a nuclear attack.nuclear attack.

ResourcesResources Alperovitz, G. (1970). Alperovitz, G. (1970). Cold War Essays.Cold War Essays. New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday and Co. New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday and Co. Inc.Inc. Offered theories and supporting evidence that the Americans used the bomb onOffered theories and supporting evidence that the Americans used the bomb on Japan to threaten the Soviets and dictate the peace post-WWII.Japan to threaten the Soviets and dictate the peace post-WWII. American Psychiatric Association. (1982). American Psychiatric Association. (1982). Psychosocial aspects of nuclear disarmament.Psychosocial aspects of nuclear disarmament. Washington, D.C.: Task Force Report 20.Washington, D.C.: Task Force Report 20. This report identified the major sociological impacts of nuclear weapons and their This report identified the major sociological impacts of nuclear weapons and their Threats on society. It stressed the fear and paranoia now contended with Threats on society. It stressed the fear and paranoia now contended with Everyday because of the imminent threat of nuclear power.Everyday because of the imminent threat of nuclear power. Baker, P. R., (Ed.). (1968). Baker, P. R., (Ed.). (1968). The Atomic Bomb, the Great Decision.The Atomic Bomb, the Great Decision. New York: Holt, New York: Holt, Coordinator). (1963). Coordinator). (1963). Problems of world Problems of world Rinehart, Winston, Inc.Rinehart, Winston, Inc. This book expressed many theories regarding the atomic bomb being used on This book expressed many theories regarding the atomic bomb being used on Japan as a primary decision of atomic diplomacy. Offers an in-depth look at Japan as a primary decision of atomic diplomacy. Offers an in-depth look at The political scene directly before and after WWII.The political scene directly before and after WWII. Barker, C.A.,(Barker, C.A.,( disarmament: a series of disarmament: a series of Lectures delivered at John Hopkins University. Lectures delivered at John Hopkins University. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Discussed how superpowers viewed each other as enemies and how this affectedDiscussed how superpowers viewed each other as enemies and how this affected Bernstein, B.J., (1976). Bernstein, B.J., (1976). The Atomic Bomb: the critical issues.The Atomic Bomb: the critical issues. Boston: Little. Boston: Little. Offered an explanation of the decision to use the bomb in WWII and an aftermathOffered an explanation of the decision to use the bomb in WWII and an aftermath Bottome, E.M., (1971). Bottome, E.M., (1971). The Balance of Terror: a guide to the arms race. The Balance of Terror: a guide to the arms race. Boston: Boston: Beacon Press.Beacon Press. Book illustrated main themes of Cold War, focusing on nuclear weapons, and Book illustrated main themes of Cold War, focusing on nuclear weapons, and Describes the impact of the fear on political leaders and in society.Describes the impact of the fear on political leaders and in society.

Colbenz, C.G., Kaplan, M.A., Reitzel, W., (1956). Colbenz, C.G., Kaplan, M.A., Reitzel, W., (1956). U.S. Foreign Policy 1945-1955.U.S. Foreign Policy 1945-1955. Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institute.Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institute. Coney, G. (1999). Coney, G. (1999). Protect and Survive. Protect and Survive. (1980-1st ed.). Prepared for the Home office by(1980-1st ed.). Prepared for the Home office by Central Office of Info, 1976. Printed in England for her Majesty’s Stationary Central Office of Info, 1976. Printed in England for her Majesty’s Stationary

Epstein, W. (1984). Epstein, W. (1984). The prevention of nuclear war: a United Nations perspective.The prevention of nuclear war: a United Nations perspective. Cambridge, Mass.: Oelgeschlager, Gunn, Hain, Publishers, Inc.Cambridge, Mass.: Oelgeschlager, Gunn, Hain, Publishers, Inc. Ferencz, B.B., (1988). Ferencz, B.B., (1988). Planethood: the key to your survival and prosperity. Planethood: the key to your survival and prosperity. (K. Keyes Jr., (K. Keyes Jr., Coordination), Coos Bay, OR: Vision Books.Coordination), Coos Bay, OR: Vision Books. Goldman, E.F. (1961). Goldman, E.F. (1961). The crucial decade and after, 1945-1960. The crucial decade and after, 1945-1960. New York: VintageNew York: Vintage Books.Books. Greenpeace-About Us.Greenpeace-About Us. http://http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/aboutwww.greenpeace.org/usa/about Accessed on 8/31/2006Accessed on 8/31/2006 Kurtz, L.R. (1988). Benford, R.D., Turpin, J.E. (assisted with book). Kurtz, L.R. (1988). Benford, R.D., Turpin, J.E. (assisted with book). The Nuclear Cage:The Nuclear Cage: Sociology of the arms race. Sociology of the arms race. NJ: Prentice Hall. NJ: Prentice Hall. Leffler, M.P. (1992). Leffler, M.P. (1992). A preponderance of power: national security, the Truman A preponderance of power: national security, the Truman Administration, and the Cold War. Administration, and the Cold War. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. This book was extremely large and very resourceful, it gave all important significant facts about the rise of nuclear power during the Cold This book was extremely large and very resourceful, it gave all important significant facts about the rise of nuclear power during the Cold

War and muchWar and much Facts regarding the political scene, such as who called the shots and their Facts regarding the political scene, such as who called the shots and their Reasoning for them. Reasoning for them. Manhattan Project: Committee on Political and Social Problems. (1945). Manhattan Project: Committee on Political and Social Problems. (1945). The FranckThe Franck Report. Report. Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives, Record Group 77. Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives, Record Group 77. Copyright by Gene Dannen. Copyright by Gene Dannen. http://http://www.dannen.com/decision/franck.htmlwww.dannen.com/decision/franck.html Accessed on 11/8/2006Accessed on 11/8/2006 Actual report advising political leaders to be cautious in using the nuclear bomb.Actual report advising political leaders to be cautious in using the nuclear bomb. Specified certain ways to introduce the bomb to the world, how to move towardSpecified certain ways to introduce the bomb to the world, how to move toward International control, and warned an arms race was inevitable.International control, and warned an arms race was inevitable. Margolis, B. (Filmed by)., Jackson, A. (Narrator). (1986). Margolis, B. (Filmed by)., Jackson, A. (Narrator). (1986). Are we winning, mommy?Are we winning, mommy? Film addressed the rise of mistrust, fear, and paranoia among Americans. Film addressed the rise of mistrust, fear, and paranoia among Americans. Highlighted popular movies that focused on the issue of Communism andHighlighted popular movies that focused on the issue of Communism and Showed the various drills and preparations Americans did to prepare for a Showed the various drills and preparations Americans did to prepare for a Nuclear attack.Nuclear attack. McNamara, R. (1986). McNamara, R. (1986). Blundering into disaster: Surviving the 1st century of the Nuclear Blundering into disaster: Surviving the 1st century of the Nuclear Age.Age. New York: Pantheon Books. New York: Pantheon Books. One of my favorite books to read while researching, described the entire Cold One of my favorite books to read while researching, described the entire Cold War from before WWII ended until the early 1980’s. Especially thorough on the War from before WWII ended until the early 1980’s. Especially thorough on the Cuban Missile Crisis.Cuban Missile Crisis.

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The Rise of Nuclear Power during the Cold War. 2 Social Science Disciplines 2 Social Science Disciplines Political impacts Social impacts