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Part I
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Trinity Test Site, Alamogordo, New Mexico
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Scientists preparing the first A-bomb,
nicknamed “The Gadget,” before the Trinity Test
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Trinity Test, July 16, 1945,
the first atomic bomb explosion in history
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Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., (February 23, 1915 – November 1, 2007) commander of the Enola Gay, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress that was used to drop the atomic bomb “Little Man” on Hiroshima. (Later promoted to Brigadier General)
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• TELEVISION INTERVIEW WITH PAUL TIBBETS:
PAUL TIBBETS:
“The Trinity test had been executed in New Mexico. The people from Trinity had arrived in the Marianas, and they had with them, at that particular time, colored photographs of the Trinity explosion.
“So, we got the gang together, and we showed them. We didn’t use the word ‘atomic bomb.’ We did not use that, but we said, ‘Okay, now, this is the bomb. This is what will happen when we make our flight tomorrow and release it. This is what we’re going to see.’ So, with this preliminary indoctrination, we got into the airplane and took off.”
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The crew of the Enola Gay
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PAUL TIBBETS:
“Once we were airborne and in the air, I then left the pilot’s seat of the airplane, and I crawled back into the back where the enlisted men were. I got them all together back there, and we poured some coffee out of the thermos jug, and I told them actually what we were doing and what we were carrying at that time. And the weather being clear at our primary, which was Hiroshima, there was no decision left. I mean, we were on our way to the primary. So that part of it was perfectly routine. As we came in from our initial point to the bomb release point, it was again routine. We were bothered not in the least by any kind of fighter opposition, no flak. We didn’t see anything to cause us any concern so that we were able to concentrate strictly on the bombing problem.”
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The Bombing of Hiroshima, August 6, 1945
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PAUL TIBBETS:
“The bomb was released. We executed our turn away as we had been directed. The bomb blast hit us. It hit us in two different shock waves, the first being the stronger. This, as I say, was a perfectly unexciting and routine thing up until the point of taking a look at the damage that had been done, and then it was kind of — it was a little bit hard to realize. It was kind of inconceivable as to what we were looking at there. We passed comments back and forth in the airplane. We took pictures, and by the time we had done that, I became concerned that we better quit being sightseers and get out of there, and we were gone and off to the coast in a matter of about 20 minutes from the time that the bomb was released.”
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Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972), 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953), made the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki
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• HARRY S. TRUMAN ADDRESSING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC:
“We have spent more than two billion dollars on the greatest scientific gamble in history. And we have won.”
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• NEWS ANNOUNCER DESCRIBING THE EFFECT OF THE A-BOMB:
“The Navy department says that it’s too early yet to tell what effect the atomic bomb will have on Japanese morale and that we may have to destroy four or five cities until they actually believe we have such a bomb.”
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The “Fat Man” bomb that used on Nagasaki, an implosion-type atomic weapon with a plutonium core
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• HARRY S. TRUMAN ADDRESSING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC:
“Having found the atomic bomb we have used it. We shall continue to use it until we completely destroy Japan’s power to make war. Only a Japanese surrender will stop us. It is an awful responsibility that has come to us. We thank God that it has come to us instead of to our enemies, and we pray that He may guide us to use it in His ways and for His purposes.”
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The bombing of Nagasaki, August 9, 1945
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Captain Kermit K. Beahan (August 9, 1918 – March 10, 1989), the bombardier on the crew flying the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bockscar on August 9, 1945, that dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki,
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• INTERVIEW WITH KERMIT BEAHAN:
REPORTER:
“Captain Beahan, what was your most outstanding experience on this historic flight?”
KERMIT BEAHAN:
“I suppose it was when the clouds opened up over the target at Nagasaki. The target was there, pretty as a picture. I made the run, let the bomb go. That was my greatest thrill.”
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World War II ends
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V-J Day (Victory Over Japan Day) celebration in Times Square, New York City, August 14, 1946
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• “WHEN THE ATOM BOMB FELL” (Song by Karl and Harty [1946])
“There was no atheist in a foxhole
And men who never prayed before
Lifted tired and bloodshot eyes to heaven
And begged the Lord to end this awful war.
They told them of their homes and loved ones
They told them that they’d like to be there
I believe the bomb that struck Hiroshima
Was the answer to a fighting boy’s prayer.”
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Famous photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt of an anonymous sailor kissing a girl in Times Square on V-J Day.
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• COMEDIANS JOKING ABOUT HIROSHIMA (1945 Radio Program)
FIRST SPEAKER:
“Hey, did you see that city where the first atomic bomb was dropped?”
SECOND SPEAKER:
“Yes, Fred, we flew over Hiroshima for about half an hour.”
FIRST SPEAKER:
“It was a shambles, huh?”
SECOND SPEAKER:
“A shambles? It looked like Ebbets Field after a double header with the Giants!”
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View of Hiroshima after the bombing
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• TELEVISION INTERVIEW WITH PAUL TIBBETS (CONTINUED):
PAUL TIBBETS:
“The group had been told to select some targets in Japan that had not been bombed, in other words, they wanted virgin targets. And the reason behind it, even though not given to the group at that time, the reason behind it was that they wanted to be able to make bomb blast studies or bomb damage studies on virgin targets once the bombs were used.”
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U.S. Military personnel surveying the damage from Hiroshima, 1945
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PAUL TIBBETS:
“They were definitely military targets, there was no question about that, and they offered such a, well you could almost say a classroom experiment as far as being able to determine later the bomb damage.”
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Radiation burn victim from Nagasaki
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PAUL TIBBETS:
“I have been subjected many times to criticism. I have been accused of being insane, being a drunkard, being everything that you could imagine a derelict to be as a result of a guilty conscience for doing this, and as I say, no one’s ever come to my defense in that regard. I look at it this way, that my part in this thing may well have been something that later or now that the U.S. government might be looking at somewhat with a guilt complex. And the feeling could be that the less said about it by the United States government, the better.”
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Survivor of the Hiroshima bombing
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American troops returning home after the war
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World War II Victory Parade in Tennessee
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Listening to radio news, 1940s
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• NEWS ANNOUNCER REPORTING ON THE BIKINI A-BOMB TEST:
“June 30, 1946. Almost time. Another five seconds, two…5:30. (bomb blast is heard) A spewing column of smoke nine miles into the sky. Blinding light stronger than the sun. Bikini Atoll. Present site of Operation Crossroads and a fourth atomic bomb explosion. Bikini Atoll, where 200 warships will be anchored, 140 planes, 200 goats, 200 pigs, 4,000 rats. How will this fourth bomb affect you? What do you know about this atomic bomb?”
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Vice Admiral William Henry Purnell Blandy (28 June 1890 – 12 January 1954), commander of the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll. (Later promoted to Admiral.)
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• W.H.P. BLANDY EXPLAINING THE BIKINI TEST:
“The bomb will not start a chain reaction in the water, converting it all to gas and letting all the ships on all the oceans drop down to the bottom. It will not blow out the bottom of the sea and let all the water run down the hole. It will not destroy gravity. I am not an atomic playboy, as one of my critics has labeled me, exploding these bombs to satisfy my personal whim.”
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Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, North Pacific,
with bomb target indicated
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• THE EVACUATION OF BIKINI (U.S. Government propaganda film)
NARRATOR:
“And thus the natives express to the people of the United States their welcome, despite the fact that the atoll of Bikini may be utterly destroyed come July the First.”
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Bikinians waving to the newsreel cameras
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NARRATOR:
“But to the natives in their simplicity and their pleasantness and their courtesy, they’re more than willing to cooperate, although they don’t understand the world of nuclear energy any more than we do. And although they have no way of understanding what the test is about.”
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U.S. Military personnel meeting with
Bikini natives ahead of the atomic bomb test
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U.S. MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE:
“Go ahead, James. Tell them about the…explain the atomic bomb to them.”
JAMES (Bikini Islander) :
(addresses Bikini Islanders in their native language)
U.S. MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE:
“All right now, James, will you tell them the United States Government now wants to turn this great destructive force into something good for mankind, and that these experiments at Bikini are the first step in that direction.”
JAMES:
(translating into native language)
U.S. MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE:
“Now they have heard of our plan for evacuation. Will you ask King Juda to get up and tell us now what his people think, and if they are willing to go.”
JAMES :
(translating into native language)
KING JUDA (Chief of the Bikini Islanders) :
(speaking in native language)
JAMES :
(translating) “Him say, very good. And willing to go, and everything in God’s hands.”
U.S. MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE:
“Well you tell them and King Juda that everything being in God’s hands it cannot be other than good.”
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Bikini natives
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NARRATOR:
“American officials discuss plans with the Bikini natives for the evacuation of the atoll. The islanders are a nomadic group and are well pleased that the Yanks are going to add a little variety to their lives. And here, by the way, you hear them singing their Marshallese version of “You Are My Sunshine.”
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Natives being evacuated from Bikini Atoll ahead of the June 30, 1946 atomic bomb test
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Navy personnel observing the first atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll
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• COUNTDOWN TO THE BIKINI TEST (Radio Communications)
“Firing time, 20 seconds.”
“The final switches have been thrown.”
“We do not know how it’s going to sound but 42,000 men are watching.”
“All of the observer ships are in position in the open sea. We’re about 10 miles away.”
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The fourth nuclear explosion in history; A-bomb test at Bikini Atoll, June 30, 1946
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• “1947, YEAR OF DIVISION” (Paramount Newsreel Special)
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“Day by day news reports in1947
headlined the global struggle of
East versus West, in a clash of
ideologies. The ruthless expansionism
of the total state – challenging the basic
ideals of individual and national freedoms.”
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NARRATOR:
“In the background was the growing struggle between two great powers to shape the post-war world. Soviet Russia was expansively stabbing westward, knifing into nations left empty by war.”
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1950s graphic illustrating Soviet expansion into Europe and Asia
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Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (18 December 1878 – 5 March 1953) was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 until his death on 5 March 1953.
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NARRATOR:
“On orders from the Kremlin, Russia had launched one of history’s most drastic political, economic, and moral wars. A Cold War.”
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Soviet parade in Red Square, Moscow, 1945
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NARRATOR:
“The United States was obliged to help Europe safeguard its traditional freedoms and the independence of its nations. Gone was the spirit of wartime unity that reached its peak on that historic afternoon in April ’45 at the Elbe River in Germany. Here two worlds actually met, but this coalition was to be torn asunder.”
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American and Soviet soldiers posing at the site where the two armies met at the Elbe River near Torgau, Germany, April 25, 1945, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany
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NARRATOR:
“Already an iron curtain had dropped around Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria…
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Map showing the “Iron Curtain” or the post-war dividing line between Soviet East (the Warsaw Pact nations) and Allied West (the NATO alliance)
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NARRATOR:
“Ah, but this is Europe, you say. But let’s see what can happen elsewhere in, say, the small town of Mosinee, Wisconsin. Peaceful, isn’t it? But the red truncheon falls and the chief of police is hauled off to jail. Next, public utilities are seized by Fifth Columnists. Watch carefully what happens to an editor who operates under a free press.”
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Mosinee citizen being arrested by “communist invaders”
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NARRATOR:
“He goes to jail, too, and his newspaper is confiscated. Exit freedom of thought. Yes, this is life under the Soviet form of government.”
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NARRATOR:
“The little town of Mosinee made this experiment for 24 hours as a public service to all America. It can’t happen here? Well, this is what it looks like if it should.”
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Magazine account of staged “communist invasion” of Mosinee
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• TV SHOW HOST:
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“Fortunately, we can move the clock back. The time is not yet. Let us pray that it never happens in our country.”
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The Doomsday Clock has been perpetually maintained by the board of directors at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1947 and the beginnings of the Cold War as a means of monitoring how close we are to thermonuclear disaster.
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“Before we meet the members of the American Legion Post 279 who helped make this picture possible, I’d just like to say that it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to represent two outstanding shopping centers in California: The Shopping Hub of the San Gabriel Valley in West Arcadia and the Whittier Quad Shopping Center in Whittier, California, because they are the concrete expressions of the practical idealism that built America. When you visit these two fine shopping centers you’ll find more than four score beautiful stores with sparkling assortments, an attractive atmosphere, and of course, plenty of free parking for all the cars we capitalists seem to acquire.
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Parking lot, Columbus, Ohio, 1964
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“Who can help but contrast the beautiful, the practical settings of the Arcadia Shopping Hub and the Whittier Quad with what you’d find under communism?”
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• OUR TEAM FOR SECURITY (U.S. Propaganda Newsreel)
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“Team for Security”
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NARRATOR:
“It’s not safe to hope for the best without preparing for the worst. Our object is not aggression. We need not become militaristic. But we must keep our Army, our Navy, our Air Force at ready strength. We must back up our Team for Security!”
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• FILM CLIP OF TWO MEN DISCUSSING WORLD CRISES
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FIRST MAN:
“Well, there’s nothing for us to worry about. We’re the ones who have the bomb.”
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First Soviet atomic bomb test, August 29, 1949
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• THE SOVIET UNION EXPLODES AN ATOMIC BOMB (Newsreel)
NARRATOR:
“The atom bomb explodes again in the headlines of the world. In Washington, the Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy, Senator Brien McMahon, gives his reaction to Russia’s possession of the bomb.”
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Senator Brien McMahon, born James O’Brien McMahon (October 6, 1903 – July 28, 1952) was a major figure in the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission through his authorship of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (the McMahon Act). He served as both as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Atomic Energy, and the first chairman of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy.
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BRIEN McMAHON:
“This is no time for hysteria. This is no time for panic. This is a time for a calm reflection on the political and military implications on this transcendent event.”
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School children practicing “duck and cover” a technique that was supposed to protect them in the event of a nuclear attack
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Another idea for supposed protection from an atomic blast
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• “JESUS HITS LIKE AN ATOM BOMB” (Song by Lowell Blanchard with the Valley Trio [1950])
“Everybody’s worried
About the atomic bomb.
But nobody’s worried
About the day my Lord will come.
When he hits (Great God Almighty!)
Like an atom bomb.
When He comes, when He comes.”
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• FILM CLIP ABOUT AN “ATOMIC RAY” SUIT (Newsreel)
LEO PAUWELA:
“Well the suit is made from this material. Inside this layer is shredded lead – a resistance against atomic rays. (turns to son) Okay, Richard, on your way to the air raid shelter.”
RICHARD PAUWELA:
“Whoa!” (almost falling off bicycle due to the weight of the suit)
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• TIGHTENING SECURITY AT NUCLEAR FACILITIES (Newsreel)
NARRATOR:
“One of the immediate effects of Russia’s atom bomb blast is the announcement of tightened security regulations at all atom installations. At Hanford, Washington, where $200 million is being spent in the ever-expanding atomic government empire, the door is being locked – but tight.”
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The Hanford Site on the Columbia River in Washington was established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project. It was home to the world’s first full-scale plutonium production reactor.
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“Twelve guards are kept on their toes by constant target practice. And they have orders to shoot to kill at any suspicious strangers.”
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Guards at the Hanford site doing target practice
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• “WAR OR PEACE?” (Universal International Newsreel)
===========================
WAR OR PEACE
*
1950
FATEFUL YEAR
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS SHOW
OMINOUS MARCH OF EVENTS
*
KOREA INVADED
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NARRATOR:
“A heavily-trained and well-equipped North Korean army swarmed across the 38th parallel to attack unprepared South Korean defenders. Caught off guard, they were overwhelmed until the United Nations took its historic vote to intervene.”
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DPRK (North Korean) Army advancing into South Korea
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NARRATOR:
“The end of the war seemed in sight as the Allies pushed north toward the North Korean capital of Pyonyang.”
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Allied planes bombing North Korean positions
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NARRATOR:
“Then it happened. The Chinese Red Army, numbering hundreds of thousands, swarmed over the frontier against thinly-held United Nations positions.”
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Chinese troops attacking Allied positions
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NARRATOR:
“Confronted by overwhelming numbers, UN armies were forced into inevitable retreat, while men wondered if China would touch off World War III.”
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United Nations troops retreating in the face of the Chinese onslaught
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• TRUMAN ON USING THE A-BOMB IN KOREA (Newsreel)
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NARRATOR:
“Would the atom bomb be the answer to the Chinese hordes? President Truman said it was under consideration.”
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HARRY S. TRUMAN:
“If the United States yields to the forces of aggression. No nation will be safe or secure. If aggression is successful in Korea, we can expect it to spread throughout Asia and Europe and this hemisphere.”
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HARRY S. TRUMAN:
“We are fighting in Korea for our own national security and survival.”
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• LONGINES CHRONOSCOPE WITH JAMES E. VAN ZANDT (TV broadcast – May 8, 1953 interviewed by William Bradford Huie and William H. Peterson.)
Longines Chronoscope was a 15-minute interview television program, broadcast on CBS-affiliated television stations from 1951 to 1955.
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NARRATOR:
“It’s time for the Longines Chronoscope. Our distinguished guest for this evening is the Honorable James E. Van Zandt, United States Congressman from Pennsylvania.”
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James Edward Van Zandt (December 18, 1898 – January 6, 1986) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania and a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
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JAMES VAN ZANDT:
“It’s my opinion that we should fight this war to win in Korea, rather than try to settle at the diplomatic table, which is impossible when you’re dealing with the Russians.”
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WILLIAM PETERSON:
“Would you extend your will to win so far as to include the atomic bomb?”
JAMES VAN ZANDT:
“Very definitely, Dr. Peterson. I’ve always been a firm believer that we should use the atomic bomb, not only in Korea, but north of the Yalu River in Manchuria.”
WILLIAM HUIE:
“Does that mean you believe it can be effectively used as a weapon in the Korean theater?”
JAMES VAN ZANDT:
“Yes, I think that there are several targets in northern Korea we could use that we could destroy with the atomic bomb. We can destroy them and contaminate them. And then of course there are targets in Manchuria that should be destroyed.”
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• U.S. AIR FORCE PROAGANDA FILM ON ATOMIC WEAPONS
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NARRATOR:
“This is the destructive power we pray God we will never be called upon to use. But should it become necessary let us not hesitate because it is foreign to our nature to use the power which He has given us.”
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• REP. LLOYD BENTSEN ON NORTH KOREA (Newsreel)
Lloyd Millard Bentsen, Jr. (February 11, 1921 – May 23, 2006) was a four-term United States senator (1971–1993) from Texas and the Democratic Party nominee for Vice President in 1988. He also served in the House Of Representatives from 1949 to 1955, and while there advocated the use of atomic weapons against North Korean cities.
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LLOYD BENTSEN:
“I propose the President of the United States advise the commander of the North Korean troops to withdraw his forces beyond the 38th parallel within one week or use that time to evacuate civilians from a specified list of North Korean cities that will be subjected to atomic attack by the United States Air Force.”
Douglas MacArthur (26 January 1880 – 5 April 1964) was a United States General who led the United Nations Command in the Korean War. He was removed from command by President Harry S. Truman on 11 April 1951 due to insubordination concerning MacArthur’s plans to expand the Korean War to the Yalu River, which Truman felt could lead to a nuclear war.
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• WHEN THEY DROP THE ATOMIC BOMB
(Song by Jackie Doll and His Pickled Peppers [1951])
“There will soon be an end
To this cold and wicked war
When those hard-headed communists
Get what they’re lookin’ for.
Only one thing that will stop them
And their ferocious fun
If General MacArthur
Drops the atomic bomb.
There’ll be fire, dust and metal
Flyin’ all around
And the radioactivity
Will burn them to the ground
If there’s any commies left
They’ll be all on the run
If General MacArthur
Drops the atomic bomb.”
North Korean prisoners of war
Animation of an atomic bomb blast, circa 1950
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• REP. LLOYD BENTSEN ON NORTH KOREA [CONTINUED] (Newsreel)
LLYOD BENTSEN:
“I ask you, the American people, to let your congressman know how you feel about this proposal.”
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• INTERVIEW WITH WOMAN ON THE STRTEET (Newsreel)
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WOMAN:
“Well, I really don’t know what to do.”
INTERVIEWER:
“But you do feel the Korean situation affects us more than anything else?”
WOMAN:
“Yes, I feel that our boys…that we should get our boys home. They’ve been over there long enough and there doesn’t seem to be any end to the situation.”
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DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION OF THE ATOMIC CAFE TRANSCRIPT (PART I) HERE:
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After watching Part 1 of Atomic Cafe, I felt the cruelty of the atomic bomb’s power once more. I especially impressed the reason of the Enola Gay’s crew selected Hiroshima to drop the atomic bomb. They just wanted to survey the power of their atomic bomb. I do not think that their action is permitted. I felt anger on seeing this scene. However, I think that their guilt complex did not go crazy, and guilt complex of the world were go crazy. I also surprise to the treating of the natives of Bikini. The natives of Bikini accepted the atomic bomb test before the understand threat of the atomic bomb. In addition, they did not have the way of understanding the power of the atomic bomb. I think that the US government should explain to the natives of Bikini about the power of the atomic bomb. The US should not have deceived them.
I don’t know the situation, how cruel, and victim’s feelings at the time because I haven’t experienced it myself, but I thought we have to think about that more deeply. Because it happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan where we live in now. The lives of innocent people were lost in an instant and what I found from this part was that the lives of Japanese people were treated as things. The most impressive part was that they dropped the atomic bomb using Japan as a test bench. They sacrificed many people just to see how powerful the atomic bomb was. Also, the appearance of many of the victims I saw in the movie was very memorable, and it was scary to think of myself and my family. But I realized that we didn’t know when and what would happen, just as people at the time didn’t expect to lose everything.
In the Part1 of the Atomic Café, there are a lot of scenes of explosion. I was shocked every time I saw it. I know the history of the atomic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But I hadn’t thought about them deeply or researched them. However, watching this film made me realize that we must never forget the history of the atomic bomb. I was very impressed by the description of American soldiers smiling as they dropped the bomb. I wondered why they were smiling, even though it would kill a lot of people. These scenes showed that Japan and the United States were in conflict each other.
First of all, I was very impressed by the image of the atomic bomb test, which instantly lit up like daylight. I was also shocked and I could not believe my eyes at the power of artifacts. Of course, I am not saying that I approve of the war. However, I thought people might have a point that war promote science. The shadows of people and objects created by the atomic bomb are reminiscent of the real life of people at that time, which is very painful. All the pictures of the injured and the dead bodies were honestly enough to make me want to turn away from them.
I thought that the world’s first use of an atomic bomb in actual warfare, and the images of it, would not only have given the United States victory, but would have cemented America’s global standing.
At the time, I thought, there were a lot of songs about the war being written in both Japan and America. And I was surprised that some of those songs were very pop. But I think the purpose of the songs was to make them more accessible to the general public.
When I watched the part 1 of “Atomic cafe”, I
feel very sad and shocked. There are many explosion scenes, injured people, and devastated town. In particular, these scenes made me very shocked. Sometimes, I couldn’t watch it. In my opinion, the sounds, video, shaking screen, and enormous smoke can make the awfulness of explosions emphasized. Moreover, I think this movie should be black-and-white film. If it’s a color movie, it could be more shocking. Finally, I have a few strange points. For example, I wonder about the BGM during the explosions. The music about atomic bombs is also pop. I doubt that. And, I doubt that the meaning of Atomic “cafe”. I think that the title “Atomic cafe” has an important meaning. To be honest, I don’t want to watch the remaining parts of this movie. It really pains me to watch it. However, we should understand the cruel fact.
I watch Part 1 of the Atomic Cafe and found out how horrifying the atomic bomb was and how ridiculous the US government was. A video of the tragic situation of the atomic bomb damage was shown, and I was able to reconfirm how cruel it was. Unfortunately, Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki were targeted by the atomic bombings, causing many casualties. The Japanese never forget this fact. However in this film, the US government praises nuclear weapons and reflects this fact very comically. As a Japanese, I thought it was wrong to tell this fact in a funny way. Also, it turned out that the perception of the atomic bomb differs from country to country. Countries around the world should have a common understanding that the atomic bomb is horribly dangerous.
So far, I have only learned about the threat of the atomic bomb from the stories of those who have experienced war and the photographs in textbooks. Therefore, when I saw Part 1 of “atomic cafe”, I realized once again the horror of the atomic bomb. Also, when I learned that the US government dropped the atomic bomb experimentally with a light feeling, I was surprised, amazed, and saddened. The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were killed in an instant, and the atomic bomb killed not only human lives but also many nature and towns. Also, in this work, such facts are talked about in a comical and self-deprecating manner, but since some people may take it lightly for the atomic bomb, I thought that it should be talked about more seriously. Today, fewer and fewer people have experienced war, but this fact must be passed down to future generations. I think the idea of the atomic bomb should be shared worldwide.
I was very shocked when I saw Part 1 of Atomic Cafe. Although I knew about the atomic bomb, when I actually saw it as a video, it was very sad and painful. I knew how terrifying the atomic bomb was, and at the same time I knew how cruel the US government was. It should never be forgotten that Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan became the target areas for the atomic bombing, and there were many victims.
However, what I find more cruel when watching this movie is that the US government praises nuclear weapons, and the background music that is being blown up is also pop, which is a funny depiction of this tragic fact. It is very difficult for me as a Japanese person to watch this movie, but I must not turn away from this fact, and I think that people all over the world should know more about the horror of the atomic bomb.
I was shocked when I saw Part 1 of the Atomic Cafe. Because, this is the first time I learned about atomic bomb from the perspective of the attacker. I’m really interested in Paul Tibbets’s interview among them. His words give me a realistic image of what was happened in Hiroshima. Therefore, I think it is very important to see these stories from various viewpoints.
I was also impressed by every images in this article. We can understand how powerful the atomic bomb was at a glance. I don’t want to believe such horrible things happened in this world.
When I watched this video, I was very surprised to know how terrible the impact of the atomic bomb has on our societies. Besides this point, I realize that wars can make people who are involved in them change their ways of thinking about wars easily. I do remember the remark of Captain Beahan. He is a person who has the experience to drop the atomic bomb on Nagasaki and mentions that that was my greatest thrill. I am embarrassed to hear that and I believe his action is not forgiven forever. I guess he may consider dropping the atomic bomb as a game, because of managing his mentality unconsciously. After watching the video, I learn to know possessing the atomic bomb is one of the effective ways to show national strength. However, this is an aggressive way and has a risk to explode. If it were to explode, no one could not live around the place and I think it is one of the worst things in the world. It might be hard for us to make a solution about it, but we can learn the history of it think about it. I think those things are not wasting time.
As I watched Part 1 of “The Atomic Café”, I was not feeling good at all. There were some pictures and videos then. I had a knowledge about the U.S.’s atomic bombing of Hiroshima, but I realized that I didn’t “know” it actually. That’s why I was shocked. I think that I have to see and know it even though it seems really hard to accept in order not to happen the tragedy again. Moreover, the present technology could make the far larger explosion. In this part, the most impressive part was from 7:03 to 7:52. I hadn’t known how American citizens lived and felt when the war ended. In this movie, they danced, sang, laughed, dressed up, and waved. I was surprised. I understood that they weren’t pleased only for the end of the war, but for the success of atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The song lyrics made me think so. The pictures of the victims of Hiroshima were also shocking. I have known that many people who were nearby the center of explosion disappeared and became shadows. However, the pictures in this video made me know that people who were a little apart from there were also severely exposed and that the power of atomic bomb is out of human’s capacity.
When I watched this video, I realized how horrible the atomic bomb was. I also feel that war is cruel and should not be allowed to happen in the future. I believe that countries have their own reasons for having bombs, but I really want to see them abolished. Having an atomic bomb shows that a country is strong, but I don’t want it to become the norm. There are many people who are afraid of the atomic bomb. And if a country doesn’t have bombs, it cannot resist in any way. Knowing the history has allowed me to have a different way of thinking. The atomic bomb is a very difficult issue, but I would like to continue to think about it.
I felt that we should think more deeply about the atomic bombing in Japan. It’s my own country, so I should know more about it. I don’t know because I didn’t experience it myself, but I felt that we have to be aware that we are in a situation where we don’t know when something will happen.
As I watched this video, I realized that American people including Paul Tibbets did not know how scary it was. Therefore, they could not stop releasing the atomic bomb. Thus, I think they are also victims of this tragedy. Furthermore, I was really surprised when I saw the picture of the victims and I was terrible. I sometimes watch videos of war, but the picture was not the same as these videos. I convey the smelling of blood by the picture. Also, if Japan did not surrender, the atomic bomb might release again. This is a very scary thing and the Japanese should consider more. Because the Japanese thought Japan is stronger and never lose. Therefore, the decision was late, and finally, the tragedy happened. Moreover, we do not consider this tragedy seriously and some people forget it now. So, these videos are precious to spread and know the atomic bomb and never start wars again.
When I saw this video, I felt very scared because even the people who dropped the atomic bomb didn’t know about it.I wonder if it is possible for humans to have complete control of nuclear power.The photos of the victims of Hiroshima are very shocking.It was like hell.You must never repeat this mistake again.However, atomic bombs cannot be easily eliminated.That’s because there’s a balance of power between countries.I think that in order to solve this problem, we must first understand and understand the problem and try to reduce it.”
I was very shocked as I watched this video. It was really hard to watch it. The moment when the bomb exploded was very horrific. Moreover, the images of radiation burn victim and survivor of Hiroshima bombing made me heartbroken. After watching this video, it made me think about how ignorant I was about the atomic bombs and made me strongly against the uses of atomic bombs. People shouldn’t use it for any reasons. However, there are some countries still owning the atomic bombs. I think it is very important to ban it for not repeating the sad history that happened in Japan. I think everyone in the world should learn more about the atomic bombs and be aware of how terrifying and cruel to use the atomic bombs.
I was very hurt when I saw the video. It was a very shocking video. I have never seen and experienced an atomic bomb, so I saw this video and felt and learned a lot. I was able to get interested in the atomic bomb. I also wanted to know more about the atomic bomb and tell a lot of people about it. Japan is a country that has been damaged by the atomic bomb, so Japanese people remember the horror of the atomic bomb, but I think we must not forget that the countries that dropped the atomic bomb did. I thought I must not forget the history of the atomic bomb.
Once again, I was reminded of the horror of the atomic bomb, and what struck me the most was that it was either Hiroshima or a test bed for testing the power of the atomic bomb.I have heard that in America we are educated that dropping the bomb was inevitable in order to end the war.But while that may be true in some respects, I think it should never be allowed to happen.
73 words. That’s half of what you should be doing, Mahiro.
I was very shocked and hurted when I saw Part 1 of Atomic Cafe. I know about Nagasaki and Hiroshima but, I don’t know that situation of American people who dropped an atomic bomb. This is important to knowing about each side situation not only Japanese side but also American side. I understand now it is rare that we can listen interview about atomic bomb. People who have experience of atomic bomb is decreasing year after year. So, young people have to tell next generation atomic bomb. It is scaring to watch photos of victims but we must not look away.
I apologize for being late to submit the assessment. I was shocked to see Part 1 of Atomic Cafe. I had only learned about the atomic bomb and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from the victims, so I was able to learn a lot. I found it important to know not only the victim’s perspective but also the perpetrator’s perspective and situation. Many of our younger generations do not know about the atomic bomb, so it is important not only for us to learn but also to pass it on to the next generation.
I felt so sorry for people who were alive at that time, however I felt ‘I am lucky that I was not alive’ at the same time. In my opinion, it is really important to convey this terrible past to our children, what is called next generation. It is said that people cannot understand until we experience. Still, we have to try to understand the past. Then, it is necessary not to repeat the same mistakes. Countless people died because of wars. It is crucial that we thank everything that we can eat, laugh, go to school and so on. Nothing should be taken for granted.