The
Atomic Cafe documentary is a great source for understanding certain aspects of the Cold War period. It focuses more on that early Cold War stuff we did before the midterm, but, if you'd like a few extra credit points, you can view portions of the film and add your comments here. What did you learn about the Cold War period from the footage here that would be less easy to learn from a lecture or a textbook?
Following the end of WWII during which the United States dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there is initial euphoria amongst the American populous. However as other nations acquire nuclear bomb capabilities, especially the Soviets under Communist rule, there is also a new sense that the world is different. To protect themselves, the United States and the Soviet Union rush to develop a hydrogen bomb in the early 1950s. The testing of bombs by all countries has direct negative effects on many people, and indirect but still profound effects on the entire world. As seen through the plethora of training films and public service announcements produced from the late 1940s through the 1950s by the United States military and government, the American public is provided information, or misinformation as the case may be, on the effects of nuclear fall out and how best to protect oneself.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Chastain
This is just the definition of the phrase "Ignorance is bliss"
ReplyDeleteIf we look at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, humans were literally vaporized on the spot from the blast of the Atom bombs. Some have their shadows and such permanently burned into the sidewalks and buildings. We however believe that covering up your head is going to save yourself from a blast of concentrated radiation?
We were scared. Of the world. After having the power we did, we didn't want to think of other countries having the same strength. As they grew in power, so did our paranoia and fear. You can almost justify the paranoia, what with the rise of Soviet Russia and the communist regime we feared so strongly.
Devin Flinn
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were attacks of mass murder that killed thousands of people. At the time we were very scared of the world and what other countries are capable of.
ReplyDeleteI learned precisely how we ended up testing the bomb in the first place. I feel really bad for the people in New Mexico after the radiation swept past them. For the radiation, I understand better how one bomb half a century ago can still affect people today.
ReplyDelete