Philosophy of Atoms for Peace Atoms for Peace

the speech part of orchestrated media campaign, called operation candor , enlighten american public on risks , hopes of nuclear future. propaganda component of cold war strategy of containment. eisenhower s speech opened media campaign last years , aimed @ emotion management , balancing fears of continuing nuclear armament promises of peaceful use of uranium in future nuclear reactors. speech tipping point international focus on peaceful uses of atomic energy, during stages of cold war. has been argued eisenhower, influence j. robert oppenheimer, attempting convey spirit of comfort terrified world after horror of hiroshima , nagasaki , of nuclear tests of 1950s.

it presents ostensible antithesis brinkmanship, international intrigue subsequently kept world @ edge of war.

the atoms peace symbol mounted on door american swimming pool reactor building during 1955 international conference on peaceful uses of atomic energy in geneva, called atoms peace conference.

however recent historians have tended see speech cold war maneuver directed @ u.s. allies in europe. eisenhower wanted make sure european allies go along shift in nato strategy emphasis on conventional weapons cheaper nuclear weapons. western europeans wanted reassurance u.s. did not intend provoke nuclear war in europe, , speech designed create sense of reassurance. eisenhower later said knew soviets reject specific proposal offered in speech.

eisenhower s invoking of ...those same great concepts of universal peace , human dignity etched in... un charter, placed new emphasis upon s grave responsibility nuclear actions—past, present , future. in large way, address laid down rules of engagement new kind of warfare: cold war.

two quotations speech follow:

book of history, , not isolated pages, united states ever wish identified. country wants constructive, not destructive. wants agreement, not wars, among nations. wants live in freedom, , in confidence people of every other nation enjoy equally right of choosing own way of life.
making of these fateful decisions, united states pledges before you--and therefore before world--its determination solve fearful atomic dilemma--to devote entire heart , mind find way miraculous inventiveness of man shall not dedicated death, consecrated life.

effects of dwight d. eisenhower’s speech on peaceful use of atomic energy

prior eisenhower’s atoms peace speech state of atomic development in world under strictest of secrecies. information , expertise needed atomic development bound pact of secrecy between allies (the secret quebec agreement of 1943) , not devoted peaceful processes instead weapon defend against other countries developing , using same such weapons. atomic development kept far under wraps there no safety protocols , no standards developed.

eisenhower’s speech important moment in political history brought atomic issue had been kept quiet “national security” public eye, asking world support solution. great part speech motive; how ingenious take horrible weapon , repurpose make world better place. president dwight d. eisenhower determined solve “the fearful atomic dilemma” finding way “the miraculous inventiveness of man not dedicated death, consecrated life.” unfortunately eisenhower not effective in repurposing; eisenhower himself approved national security council (nsc) document stated massive atomic weapon base deter violence soviet union. belief avoid nuclear war, united states must stay on offensive, ready strike @ time, same reason soviet union not give atomic weapons either. during time in office nuclear holdings of rose 1,005 20,000 weapons.

atoms peace opened nuclear research civilians , countries had not possessed nuclear technology. made possible countries develop weapons; however, atoms peace program came eisenhower’s speech had great impacts on world. eisenhower argued nonproliferation agreement throughout world , argued stop of spread of military use of nuclear weapons. although nations had atomic weapons kept weapons , grew supplies, few other countries have developed similar weapons – in sense, has been contained , eisenhower successful. atoms peace program created regulations use of nuclear power , through these regulations stopped other countries developing weapons while allowing technology used positive means.