Term Paper on "Atomic Bomb in U.S. History"

Term Paper 5 pages (1659 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

atomic bomb in U.S. history. Specifically it will analyze the impact of the Atomic bomb on American politics and culture in the decade-and-a-half after the explosion of the first Atomic weapon over Hiroshima. The use of the first atomic bomb to end World War II in the Pacific was a world-altering event. It changed the status of the United States in global politics, it helped create the Cold War with the Soviet Union, and it changed American culture almost overnight. People feared the a-bomb, and feared the technology would be turned against this country. American politics would never be the same after the bombs exploded over Japan, and the threat of nuclear war still hangs over the globe today.

If the atomic bomb did anything to influence American politics and culture, it certainly created an environment of fear in the country. Once the Soviet Union began to develop their own nuclear weapons, an atmosphere of fear and a need for protection took over the minds of many citizens. This is evidenced by the many bomb shelters that were constructed in basements, backyards, and in many public buildings. These bomb shelters are shown in several Boston Herald newspaper photos of the time, including a "poor man's" bomb shelter constructed of sand bags rather than cement blocks.

Government officials were photographed putting the finishing touches on bomb shelters, and many residents felt their own personal bomb shelters were not a luxury, but a necessity.

This fear of nuclear holocaust manifested itself in other ways, too. The Civil Defense Department constructed bomb shelters in public buildings, noting them with bright yellow "Fallout Shelter" signs near entrances. There were also air-raid sirens that would announce an impending nuclear attack. As a way to "save" themselves from harm, the Civil Defense Department conducted a problem called "Duck and Cover" to help children remember what to do in case of an attack. Essentially, children were urged to "duck" under their desks at school and "cover" their heads with their arms, which was supposed to protect them during a nuclear attack. While the idea may sound quaint today, at the time it was extremely serious, and children practiced these duck and cover drills throughout the school year.

Schools with bomb shelters in their basements also included evacuation drills for the children.

Magazines published graphic drawings of what to do in case of a nuclear attack, including the proper attire to protect from the "heat flash." While many things were changing in American culture, the roles of men and women were still quite distinct. Women had certain roles to fulfill in Civil Defense, such as hospital or medical work, driving cars, and child care. Men, however, were more apt to serve as fire fighters, volunteer police, air-raid wardens, and rebuilding after an attack.

As the country returned to normal after the war, women stayed home to raise the family, while men went off to work. It would take more than atomic bombs to change the acceptable roles women held in society, and it would not happen in the two decades following the bombing of Japan.

Another aspect of this fear gripped the nation when the "Red Scare" began, essentially with Senator Joseph McCarthy's allegations there were traitors in the U.S. State Department, and later in the Hollywood (and other) artistic communities. McCarthy accused 57 "subversives" in the State Department, and numerous Hollywood stars and background personnel of Communist ties or sympathies, and in the furor that followed, the fear of Communism spread across the country. Some of the country's most beloved and well-known celebrities appeared on these "Hollywood blacklists," and were essentially banned from working in this country as a result. One list included Leonard Bernstein, Lee J. Cobb, Aaron Copland, Howard Duff, Jose Ferrer, Ruth Gordon, Dashiell Hammett, Lillian Hellman, Howard Koch, Gypsy Rose Lee, Burgess Meredith, Arthur Miller, Henry Morgan, Dorothy Parker, Edward J. Robinson, and many other prominent names in entertainment around the country.

Eventually, these celebrities cleared their names, but until they did, they were unable to find work in their chosen professions, and the fears throughout America mounted. If Hollywood was so infested with Communists, then they could be anywhere, from down the street to the new neighbor next door.

In a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1950, Senator McCarthy used the term "card carrying members" to signify Americans with Communist sympathies. He said, "I have in my hand fifty-seven cases of individuals who would appear to be either card carrying members or certainly loyal to the Communist Party, but who nevertheless are still helping to change our foreign policy."

Today, McCarthy's efforts are known as a supreme witch-hunt that eventually ended his career in politics. However, at the time, they simply added to the atmosphere of panic that hung over the country. Americans felt that atomic war was eminent, and they had to protect themselves from certain disaster. If that meant creating a nuclear arsenal to counterattack the Russians and their nuclear arsenal, then so be it. Inflammatory speeches such as McCarthy's only added fuel to the fire and helped convince many Americans that despite the prosperity of the post-war years, America was doomed and the Communists were at the heart of the impending destruction. It created an anti-Communist attitude in most Americans, and it helped build a lasting wedge between the two countries.

In fact, Hollywood film stars were not the only victims of the Red Scare. All of television entertainment came under scrutiny during this time. AU.S. News and World Report article urged mothers to keep their children from becoming "glued to the screen," and a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee felt TV viewing contributed to "acts of crime and violence and the actual performance of criminal deeds."

American culture was changing. People were spending more money, they had decent jobs, and they wanted the best in technology, such as new television sets and kitchen appliances. These trendy televisions brought more news into the home, and helped make people more aware of the Cold War and global events. Thus, the culture was becoming more advanced, and more aware of the global nature of politics. People began to understand how powerful the U.S. really was, and why the country posed such a threat to other, less-powerful nations. The television changed the way Americans got their news and entertainment, and convinced many people that all technology, even atomic bombs, was good for the country and the economy.

Politically, the atomic bomb changed the way the world looked at America, and how politics shaped the country. America was now a major world force, capable of defending itself with deadly accuracy. Some countries were afraid of America, while others struggled to create their own nuclear counter weapons. Closer to home, the Red Scare spread throughout the government, and numerous government employees were accused of being Communists simply on the word of others or because of prior membership in "subversive" organizations. Many Federal employees had to fight for their jobs, and many were dismissed, even after years of faithful service to the country.

The treat of Communism also led to the conflict in North Korea, a communist country bent on taking over South Korea, and eventually to the Vietnam War. Thus, the nuclear threat created global warfare and the threat of warfare, which only added to peacetime jitters and mistrust. Politically, other countries knew the U.S. would attack if necessary. In their defense, many created their own destructive weapons, thus creating a vicious circle of fear, mistrust, and weaponry development.

The atomic bomb also represents how ignorant many were about this dangerous technology. The famous photo of "Miss Atomic Bomb," represented the sexual side of the atomic age. The beauty queen represents the unmistakable allure of power, and celebrates that power in a powerful… READ MORE

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