Essay about Nuclear Power and the Cold War - 1094 Words

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 wouldnt have differed much from previous historical conflicts between powerful states. In this essay, I†¦show more content†¦had invaded the Japanese islands, while only 80,000-90,000, lost their lives in the Nagasaki bombing (Essortment). That means that without nuclear power, the war between the U.S. and Japan would have continued, resulting in twice as many deaths. In addition, the Soviet Union was expected to join in, which was expected to only create more conflict (Nuclear News). If nuclear power had not been used, it is difficult to say what might have happened, though some insights can be drawn as to potential outcomes. Japan was ready to fight until it had won the war. With resources such as two million troops in the home islands and firepower invested in the form of kamikazes, Japan had intentions to preserve what they called imperial land and national polity (Maddox, 1995). The Truman administrations decision to use the atomic bomb was the least costly in resources, including material and human, that would end global conflict for the time being. The framework of my second example in the Cold War is set in the 1960s and was as follows. In April 1961, an effort intended to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro via Cuban exile actors in Playa Girà ³n failed (Granieri, 2011). After Cuban intelligence agents obtain ed American information, in addition to warnings from Soviets, the United States faced national humiliation (Granieri, 2011). This sets the precedent for what came only a year later, in October 1962, when a conflict called the CubanShow MoreRelatedEssay on The end of the Cold War, the Begining of the Nuclear Power805 Words   |  4 Pagesadvancing technology and knowledge about the atomic power shifted culture and consciousness of the people. The likelihood of a nuclear war was close, but far; this possibility was a terrifying suddenness. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki clearly portrayed the power of only two atomic bombs. The attack completely obliterated the two cities and killed millions of people. 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