Atomic Reaction: The American Reaction to the Atomic Bomb, 1945-1946

Abstract

This event bound Americans together in their experience of it because it was a unique event in human history. American's reacted to the atomic bombing with a range of emotions; some were convinced of man's irresponsibility. They deplored its use and protested the existence of something with so great an indiscriminate killing power. Others were more optimistic, sure that man's rational nature assured an end to war, and that the future technical improvement of nuclear energy would lead to an abandonment of coal, oil, and falling water. Among these diverse concerns and remonstrations raised is the United States government influencing the way the story was reported in the media through censorship, journalistic preference, and wide propaganda powers. Enforced via the Espionage Act, an enormous amount of information related to the atomic bombing as well as the effects of radiation was withheld or otherwise partially explicated.