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What were the long-term effects of using an atomic bomb to end a war?

How significant was the attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a historical event? Once the war had ended and Japan had recovered to some degree from the desolation its surviving citizens faced, did the use of atomic weapons lead to any lasting consequences for the nations of the world? This slideshow summarizes the aftermath of the Manhattan Project in more recent terms. As you read about this bit of history, try to identify the overall effect it describes.

After the Bomb

Nuclear Explosion

The world watched in awe as the first nuclear weapons exploded over Japan, but wonder soon turned to desire. Government leaders quickly realized the power of this new technology, and it wasn't long before countries like Britain, France, the USSR, and China had their own bombs.

Cold War

Soviet Nuclear Warhead

Although they were on the same side in World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union turned against one another almost immediately after the war was over. Since both sides had built up enough nuclear weapons to completely destroy the other, they avoided fighting each other directly. This type of war was known as a "Cold War."

The End of Humanity?

Nuclear Wasteland

During the second half of the 20th century, people all over the world feared that human life on Earth might be wiped out in a nuclear war. Even though the Cold War is over, many nations still have nuclear weapons, and still more are working to build their own.

Question

How has the Manhattan Project affected our understanding of war?

We now have weapons powerful enough to make ourselves extinct. Therefore, every time we consider international conflict as an option, we have to figure out how to avoid an exchange of nuclear attacks.