By Karlos Tse (’27)
Who here has watched Oppenheimer? I’m sure you have. This film highlighted the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II through the perspective of war and through the very real and emotional trainwrecks that J. Robert Oppenheimer faced. Though the atomic bomb won the unconditional surrender of Japan, the atomic bomb proved to be the worst mistake in military technology due to the dangers it imposes today.
Following the suicide of Adolf Hilter, leader of the Nazi Party, victory for the Allies was established on May 8th, 1945, also know as V.E. Day (Victory Europe). With this being said, Imperial Japan was still fighting in the Pacific and the war had yet to be finished. With morale high and the desire to return home even higher, soldiers and leaders alike wanted to wrap up the war quickly. When President Harry S. Truman was notified of the success of the atomic bomb trial in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Truman ordered the bombs to be dropped. On August 6th, and 9th, the first atomic bombs the world had seen were dropped on none other than Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
United States Army . (n.d.). Hiroshima – Before and After. Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima . Retrieved March 2, 2025,
from https://www.atomicarchive.com/media/photographs/hiroshima/image-4.html.
By the end of 1945, the effects of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki resulted in 74,000 deaths and 140,000 deaths in Hiroshima. The bombs incinerated all flesh, leaving nothing but bones and debris. With the devastation of the bomb, Imperial Japan surrendered and V.J. Day (Victory Japan) was declared on August 15th, 1945. These were the first atomic bombs the world had seen but this powerful weapon wouldn’t retire from the global stage quite yet.
WWII was officially declared over and soldiers returned home.The world seemed free at last, but the spectacle of the atomic bomb resulted in a nuclear arms race, leading to the Cold War.
Between the late 1940s to the 1990s, the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. were in a conflict called the Cold War were, although they neve fought on fronts, resulted in war being a political, economical and social war. The nuclear arms race played a major role in threatening governments and seeking to create the best atomic bombs. This competition was demonstrated when the USA made the hydrogen bomb in 1952. The U.S.S.R. made their own just a year later.
With this conflict, many in the scientific community spoke up against the weaponization of these bombs. Albert Einstein for example advocated against the use of atomic bombs and vocalized the disarmament of said weapons.
The Cold War ended when the U.S.S.R. dissolved in 1991, with this being said, the nuclear bombs were left. The infographic above shows the estimated number of nuclear warheads in the biggest countries. The US and Russia have thousands as a result of the Cold War however, other countries began creating their own bombs and trading with other nations. This poses the question, so what?
The devastating effects of Hiroshima and Nagasaki struck the world with fear, and in the process, countries who desired this power began creating bombs to impose power. If war ever breaks out, there is no doubt that atomic bombs will be used as threats and weapons. The scary thing is, we are the bargaining chips. If war breaks out, we’re the ones being threatened, we are the ones who will be incinerated, we are the targets.
With all this, does war feel near? Talk of tariffs strain international relationships and outbreaks of war sprinkle the world. No atomic bombs have ever been used since Hiroshima and Nagasaki but how much longer will this streak hold? Maybe it’s time to get a bunker.