Nuclear War And The Cold War Essay - 1436 Words

The vast majority of the American public know the Cold War as a period of political and state tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. This era is often associated with the advancement of scientific research and arms build up as a result of the competition between these world superpowers, especially through the development of the nuclear bomb. Aside from the actual politics of the Cold War, Joseph Masco, professor of anthropology at the University of Chicago, argues in his novel, The Theater of Operations, that the Cold War provided a psychological platform for the U.S. security state to transform everyday American’s perceptions of mass death. Through multiple government operations during the Cold War, the idea of nuclear disaster was presented as an undeniable threat to the American people, and instilled to a certain extent a sense of nuclear fear. Masco believes that the current state of mind in the counterterror state is merely just a continuation of the effects of th e Cold War’s psychological conditioning. Additionally, Masco argues that the nuclear projects during the Cold War helped initiate the advancement of earth science research. He feels that through the increased knowledge in these fields, the Cold War nuclear projects were linked to environmental concerns. Through these examples, Masco demonstrates his view on how the Cold War has influenced the U.S. cultural understanding of nuclear threats. Masco argues that the psychological efforts during the decadesShow MoreRelatedNuclear War : The Cold War1659 Words   |  7 Pages The Cold War wasn’t actually a war - but more of a tension between two countries. The United States of America and the Soviet Union were both competing for world power - and they both had access to nuclear weapons. 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Motivated by the threat of nuclear and biological warfare from the Soviet Union, these experiments were performed to gain a scientific superiority over the USSR and protect citizensRead MoreEssay on The end of the Cold War, the Begining of the Nuclear Power805 Words   |  4 Pagesthe 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. Although Japan’s surrender contributed to the Allies’ victory during World War II, the effects of the bomb were unforgettable. The use of these bombs also created controversyRead MoreIs Nuclear War More Or Less Likely During The Post Cold War Era?1956 Words    |  8 Pages1. Is nuclear war more or less likely in the post-Cold War era? 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