The Constant Threat of Nuclear Weapons

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Introduction Never in history has man had to worry about his existence or even the existence of humans because someone half a world away possessed the capability to end all life on earth. The threat to the human race is at risk each day in a world with nuclear weapons. There are several military revolutions throughout history, but the one that stimulated the greatest change ever in military warfare, is by far, nuclear weapons. They have proven to be the most devastating weapon ever in history, provided as a war deterrent for many, and have allowed for weak countries to become global powers. Nuclear weapons are not just one country’s problem; they are everyone’s. The ability to bring the world to end by one reckless individual is a possibility we all live with every day. Arguments Nuclear weapons are the largest casualty producing and most environmentally damaging weapon ever developed. Today’s scientists and engineers have access to computers, ease to physical materials, a greater abundance scientific knowledge, and organizations dedicated to developing weapon systems, but still today, nuclear weapons are the most powerful. The first nuclear bomb was developed by the United States and tested near Alamogordo, New Mexico on July 16, 1945. This would become the weapon of choice to end the war with Japan during WWII. On August 6, 1945 at 08:45 local, the first atomic bomb was released over the city of Hiroshima. The devastating results were over 70,000 killed instantly and 4.4 square miles of structures destroyed. Three days later, on August 9th, the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki with similar effects; over 40,000 dead instantly. The total dead is not truly known but is estimated to be above 200,000 thousand due to both ... ... middle of paper ... ...enal: $5.5 Trillion Well-Spent. Edited by Stephen I. Schwartz. July 8, 1998. http://www.brookings.edu/about/projects/archive/nucweapons/silverberg (accessed January 19, 2014). The Chernobyl Forum. Chernobyl's Legacy: Health, Environmental, and Socio-Economic Impacts and Recommendations to the Governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine. September 5, 2005. http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Booklets/Chernobyl/chernobyl.pdf (accessed January 20, 2014). U.S. National Research Council. Science and Technology for Environmental Cleanup at Hanford. Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Academy Press, 2001. United, Nations. The Secretary-General’s Five-Year Action Agenda. January 25, 2012. http://www.un.org/sg/priorities/index.shtml (accessed January 19, 2014). Weeramantry, C.G. Nuclear Weapons and Scientific Responsibility. Wolfeboro, N.H.: Longwood Academic, 1987.

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