The atomic bomb influenced the news for the good and bad. As to be expected, controversy was brought and the morality of the event was in question. This was the first time the world had seen anything like it. Ultimately, it lead to the advancements in war technology from all over the world. The cold war was greatly influenced by this event. The news portrayal had great effect on this proceeding events. Some inspired creativity, some inspired war, ultimately, it is safe to say that the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki influenced the world, forever.
Prior to the bombing, many scientists and journalists were exploring nuclear energy. Albert Einstein was the first to inform President Roosevelt on this destructive phenomena in August of 1939. He explained, “A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port together with some of the surrounding territory.” Roosevelt responded about two months later in October. It was brief, and he thanked Einstein for his “interesting and important enclosure.” Initially, Roosevelt feared the cost of the project, and found it improbable. However, after another meeting, he was intrigued by the potential of atomic energy, and convinced that the United States should get on board with it. Einstein drafted three more letters after his initial, two in 1940, and one in march of 1945. Einstein, who was previously good friends with Roosevelt, was writing these letters in fear of what the Germans were developing. He believed that Germany was also looking into uranium energy weaponry. Ultimately, Japan’s bombing of the United States in 1941 set Roosevelt off on bringing this idea into reality. This project was kept in high secrecy until the bombing and was called “The Manhattan Project.” Few reporters knew of the plan, and the ones who did kept it in isolation. After a test bomb, the public was wondering what the flare they saw in the sky was. A local article covered it by describing it as an artillery shed explosion. As demonstrated in these previous examples, the general public had no insight to the potential of this revolutionary weaponry due to the news’ little information. Many of the workers on the bomb didn’t even know what their husbands were working towards. According to CBS news, not until after the bombings did “the wives learn why their husbands were late for dinner.” Immediately after the bombing of Hiroshima, the public was in shock. Due to the secrecy, they didn’t learn of the magnitude of the explosion for some time, and neither did the news. New York times reported, “The corpses are too numerous to be counted.” Many of the newspapers and other forms of news sources reported similarly, CBS reporting, “The damage is yet to be known.” Most praised the bomb, ignorant to …show more content…
Reporters were allowed to visit the area three weeks later. However, no real alternatives were being examined for about another year. However, even after the release of the information and photographs, many, including Japanese, believed that the attack was justified. Atlantic Press reported in December of 1946, “It is easy now, after the event, to look back and say that Japan was already a beaten nation… and therefore was there justification for the use of the atomic bomb on so many innocent people?” Although Japan may have been “beaten,” they were still fighting, which according to a Japanese reporter, gave the United States “complete justification.” The fact that Japanese agreed as well shines into the demand of the bombing and proves that it in fact was a reasonable proposition, and used at the correct time. most did agree the right decision was made, Atlantic Press reported “with complete conviction, the use of the atomic bomb saved hundreds of thousands—perhaps several millions—of lives, both American and Japanese; that without its use the war would have continued for many months.” Overtime, information has been released to the public, however, the secrecy of the Manhattan Project is still kept in check. For example, newsreel footage and military film was kept secretive for a long time. Japanese footage was also eventually released. Military film still has never been
Prior to the bombing, many scientists and journalists were exploring nuclear energy. Albert Einstein was the first to inform President Roosevelt on this destructive phenomena in August of 1939. He explained, “A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port together with some of the surrounding territory.” Roosevelt responded about two months later in October. It was brief, and he thanked Einstein for his “interesting and important enclosure.” Initially, Roosevelt feared the cost of the project, and found it improbable. However, after another meeting, he was intrigued by the potential of atomic energy, and convinced that the United States should get on board with it. Einstein drafted three more letters after his initial, two in 1940, and one in march of 1945. Einstein, who was previously good friends with Roosevelt, was writing these letters in fear of what the Germans were developing. He believed that Germany was also looking into uranium energy weaponry. Ultimately, Japan’s bombing of the United States in 1941 set Roosevelt off on bringing this idea into reality. This project was kept in high secrecy until the bombing and was called “The Manhattan Project.” Few reporters knew of the plan, and the ones who did kept it in isolation. After a test bomb, the public was wondering what the flare they saw in the sky was. A local article covered it by describing it as an artillery shed explosion. As demonstrated in these previous examples, the general public had no insight to the potential of this revolutionary weaponry due to the news’ little information. Many of the workers on the bomb didn’t even know what their husbands were working towards. According to CBS news, not until after the bombings did “the wives learn why their husbands were late for dinner.” Immediately after the bombing of Hiroshima, the public was in shock. Due to the secrecy, they didn’t learn of the magnitude of the explosion for some time, and neither did the news. New York times reported, “The corpses are too numerous to be counted.” Many of the newspapers and other forms of news sources reported similarly, CBS reporting, “The damage is yet to be known.” Most praised the bomb, ignorant to …show more content…
Reporters were allowed to visit the area three weeks later. However, no real alternatives were being examined for about another year. However, even after the release of the information and photographs, many, including Japanese, believed that the attack was justified. Atlantic Press reported in December of 1946, “It is easy now, after the event, to look back and say that Japan was already a beaten nation… and therefore was there justification for the use of the atomic bomb on so many innocent people?” Although Japan may have been “beaten,” they were still fighting, which according to a Japanese reporter, gave the United States “complete justification.” The fact that Japanese agreed as well shines into the demand of the bombing and proves that it in fact was a reasonable proposition, and used at the correct time. most did agree the right decision was made, Atlantic Press reported “with complete conviction, the use of the atomic bomb saved hundreds of thousands—perhaps several millions—of lives, both American and Japanese; that without its use the war would have continued for many months.” Overtime, information has been released to the public, however, the secrecy of the Manhattan Project is still kept in check. For example, newsreel footage and military film was kept secretive for a long time. Japanese footage was also eventually released. Military film still has never been