The Cold War is famous not only for its long engagement between the two super powers, the U.S. and the Soviet Union, but also because of the heightened physical tension that nuclear power brought to the global stage. Winning the war at the cost of human annihilation was not abnormal political conversation, and from the 1940s onward, fear of global destruction became a daily concern (Granieri, 2011). The circumstances of the Cold War made it different than previous international conflicts because it was the first conflict that could potentially lead to massive, worldwide destruction. Without the dangers of nuclear power, the Cold War wouldn't have differed much from previous historical conflicts between powerful states.
In this essay, I will summarize two specific events that occurred within the framework of the Cold War. From there, I will analyze their potential effects if nuclear weaponry had not been involved. Lastly, I will explain how nuclear power had a positive effect on the war, due to its influence via deterrence. Finally, I will summarize the importance of nuclear power in the Cold War.
A controversial, but positive role of nuclear power in the Cold War was the use of the atomic bomb, "Fat Man," in Nagasaki. Though it is impossible to deny the damage done by the atomic bomb and the inhumane massacre of the people who lived there, the atomic bomb in historical terms was a success for two reasons. First, it ended World War ll by forcing Japan to surrender (Nuclear News). In addition, the drop of the atomic bomb also sent a powerful message to the Soviet Union about the strength of the U.S. and its allies (Granieri, 2011).
Some argue that the destruction of the atomic bomb was astronomical, though in actuality, the ...
... middle of paper ...
...e Cuban Missile Crisis – Khrushchev’s Letter to Kennedy « UNREDACTED." UNREDACTED. 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. .
Maddox, Robert James. "The Biggest Decision: Why We Had to Drop the Atomic Bomb" The Atlantic Monthly. June 1995. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. .
"The Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Has a Proud Record of Success « Nuclear-news." Nuclear-news. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. .
"Why Did President Truman Drop The Atomic Bomb?" Essortment Articles: Free Online Articles on Health, Science, Education & More... Web. 06 Apr. 2011. .
The Cold War was a period of dark and melancholic times when the entire world lived in fear that the boiling pot may spill. The protectionist measures taken by Eisenhower kept the communists in check to suspend the progression of USSR’s radical ambitions and programs. From the suspenseful delirium from the Cold War, the United States often engaged in a dangerous policy of brinksmanship through the mid-1950s. Fortunately, these actions did not lead to a global nuclear disaster as both the US and USSR fully understood what the weapons of mass destruction were capable of.
"Cuban Missile Crisis." - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Although, many others say that the dropping of the Atomic bombs saved their life, but the debate over the decision to drop the atomic bomb will never be resolved. The war against Japan bestowed the Allies with entirely new problems as they encountered an enemy with utterly unfamiliar tactics. The war itself was filled with many battles, deaths, and decisions. Although the state of Japan in 1945 was a defeated nation, they refused to surrender, which was a key as to why Truman dropped the Atomic bombs. There are many important events and reasons as to why President Truman decided to drop the Atomic bombs on Japan.
The Cold War was the most important historic event in the 20th century after the Second World War, from 1945 till 1991 between two most powerful countries in that period – Soviet Union and USA. The Cold War invested a lot in world politics. What is the Cold War? This was a war for dominance in the world. In 1945 the USA was the only one country in the world that had the nuclear weapons. But in the 1949 USSR started to learn their nuclear weapons. In further developments forced the USSR was soon created by nuclear, and then thermonuclear weapons. (Isaacs J, 2008) Fight has become very dangerous for all.
May, Ernest R. “John F Kennedy and the Cuban MIssile Crisis.” BBC News. BBC., 18 Nov. 2013.
One of the most controversial decisions that have been made, in the history of the United States, was Harry Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on the two Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ever so controversial topic of the dropping of the atomic bombs has successfully driven people insane. People feel strongly that this decision was atrocious and unnecessary, while others believe the polar opposite, that it was completely necessary. Some historians argue that the human cost to the Japanese population can never justify the use of such weapons. Other historians see it from an optimistic perspective, that it would not have been moral if atomic weapons had not been used to end the war as quickly as possible. President Harry S.
President Harry Truman, 33rd president of the United States, had to face one of the most effective decisions of mankind. The atomic bomb was first served as an idea created by the United States government. With a nuclear weapon like the atomic bomb, comes great responsibility. The idea of how to use and regulate the bomb was not yet implemented. Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb changed the way Americans thought about war because of its traumatic after effects.
Melissa Jordine said that “1949 proved to be a pivotal year,” and she would be correct (Cold War). It was the middle of the Cold War and tensions were high between the Soviet Union and the United States. The US had consistently opposed Russia’s communist government, but had become even more vehement in their hostilities once Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the USSR, announced his intentions to overthrow capitalist systems worldwide, which included the system that the United States boasted (Cold War). The American people knew they must resist the rising power, and the only feasible option that they saw to deter Soviet aggression was to maintain military superiority, namely through the singular possession of nuclear weapons. So it came as a terrifying shock when the Soviet Union detonated their own atomic bomb on August 29, 1949, ending the United States’ “atomic monopoly” and starting a race to develop better nuclear arms (Jordine, Hydrogen Bomb). The hydrogen bomb, or H-bomb, was a product of this race, and while its creation negatively impacted the environment, it served its intended purpose in the respect that the threat of its use prevented a nuclear war and allowed for the United States to retain its capitalist government.
After America had successfully tested the atomic bomb in mid-July 1945, the United States President was eager to use it as one of the weapons of ending the Second World War. Despite the evidence gathered from the testing of this bomb that it had far reaching effects than other normal bombs, President Harry Truman still went forth to have a chart with his allies on the possibility of using the bomb as a way of forcing Japan to surrender. To many, this was a seriously barbarous act that has ever been recorded in the history of the world. Thus, there have always been discussions as to whether the use of the bomb was necessary or not. Many views have been put forth to either defend President Harry Truman or to criticize his decision. The shocking part of these is that
This investigation assesses President Harry Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It will determine whether or not his decision was justified. This investigation will scrutinize the reasons that made Harry Truman feel inclined to drop atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Preventing further casualties along with the desire to end the war are two argumentative points that will be analyzed to determine if they were strong enough to justify the dropping of the atomic bombs. Excerpts from Truman’s memoirs and a variety of different titles were consulted in order to undertake this investigation. Section C will evaluate two sources for their origins purposes values and limitations. The first is a book titled The Invasion of Japan written by John Stakes in 1955. And the second is a book titled Prompt & Utter Destruction written by J. Samuel Walker.
On October 22nd, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered the famous "Cuban Missile Crisis Address to the Nation" speech in response to Nikita Khrushchev’s act of placing nuclear and flying missiles on the island directly south of the United States: Cuba. The purpose of the speech was to alert the nation of the situation and inform them on how it would be handled. This speech successfully won the attention and respect of the American and Russian people through the use of multiple rhetorical devices.
Smirnov, Yuri, Vladislav Zubok. “Nuclear Weapons after Stalin’s Death: Moscow enters the H-Bomb Age.” Cold War International History Project. March 1994.
“When Harry Truman learned of the success of the Manhattan Project, the U.S. project to create atomic weapons, he knew he was faced with a decision of unprecedented gravity. The capacity to end the war with Japan was in his hands, but it would involve unleashing the most terrible weapon ever known ("The Decision to Drop the Bomb”).” The President rejected a
Maddox, Robert. “The Biggest Decision: Why We Had to Drop the Atomic Bomb.” Taking Sides: Clashing View in United States History. Ed. Larry Madaras & James SoRelle. 15th ed. New York, NY. 2012. 280-288.
Truman claims the bomb use was for military purposes. Not only because he wanted to show the military power of the United States but also to save many of American soldiers lives. At the time the Germany had already been defeated and the war with Germany was over. However, war against Japan didn’t seem to stop. This made Truman think about other ways to stop the war. He urged for a new weapon to stop the war with Japan. Truman wanted a new weapon to bring the war into speedy end. Before the bomb, Japanese had many chances to surrender but they didn’t. Some of other historians suggest that it was to how demonstration of the U.S’ new weapons to the USSR (Soviet Union). By 1945, relationship between the United States and Soviet Union was destroyed. They hoped that the dropping of atomic bomb was a way to show the United States’ strength to Soviet Union. However, some argues that the dropping the atomic bomb was