Alaisa Cowherd

Research Paper
What are the social and political implications of the use of nuclear weapons in the world today?
Mr.Falls
12/12/14

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract..3

Introduction4

Literature Review...5

Limitations..9

Methodology...10

Overview of Nuclear Weapons..11

Nuclear War...14

Countries with Nuclear Weapons...16

Nuclear Terrorism...19

Peace/Resolutions...20

Conclusion..21

Appendix.22

Bibliography....26

ABSTRACT
This project title is Nuclear Weapons. The question that is being researched is: What are
the social and political implications of the use of nuclear weapons in the world today? This
project will describe the effects of nuclear weapons as seen in past events and how nuclear
weapons work. The United States, Russia, Iran and North Korea will be the main topics when
discussing countries with nuclear weapons programs. This was to compare well established
programs with new ones and the perspective for each of them. An important focus in this paper
will be the effects of nuclear war and terrorism to better understand the consequences of the use
of nuclear weapons. Resolutions and peace attempts are an important part when discussing
nuclear weapons. It is imperative to find a lasting solution to the threat of nuclear weapons.
Assisting with this project is Mrs. Julie Satoh, the Japanese language teacher at Tallwood, Mrs.
Setsuko Thurlow, a Hiroshima survivor that I have spoken with to gain insight to the first hand
atrocities of nuclear weapons.

INTRODUCTION
Nuclear weapons pose as the most serious threat to todays world and have long lasting
political and social consequences that are hard to dissipate. With such great power in the hands
of influential countries, it is concerning what might happen with the growth of nuclear
technology. Past use of nuclear weapons in WWII yielded terrible devastating results that
impacted the social and political environment of Japan and countries involved. The most
important goal for our government today should be to limit the nuclear stockpiles of the United
States, Russia and other countries with outstanding nuclear programs. The consequences of
having such power is too great in the case of a nuclear war.
Nuclear weapons are the most powerful and deadliest weapons in the world. After WWII
the political implications of nuclear weapons were enormous. The new weapons were so
devastating, laboratories and factories specializing in the design and production of atomic
weapons kept operating and expanding. Every nation possessing the necessary technical and
financial means started to develop atomic weapons (Encyclopedia Americana). These weapons
have the power to demolish civilization as we know it. Nuclear nonproliferation and
disarmament is the ultimate goal to maintain peace in todays world. Nuclear weapons are the
most dangerous weapons on earth, so it is essential to find a way to eliminate this threat.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Nuclear Weapons Overview
Encyclopedia Americana. (2014, September 24). Nuclear War. Retrieved September 24, 2014,
from http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0290750-00
This source contains information about the history of atomic weapons. After the drop
of the 2 bombs in Japan, the nuclear arms race was on between nations to gain the
largest nuclear knowledge base for their own nuclear programs and to limit the spread
of knowledge to other countries. This source also contains the fundamentals of nuclear
weapons and the effects. The two types of nuclear weapons are Atomic and Hydrogen
bombs. The bomb produces a range of effects including a fireball blast, shock wave,
heat and light, winds and nuclear radiation. Today it is harder to defend a nations
territory and population because of the power of nuclear arms. I can use this source to
talk about an overview of Nuclear Weapons, effects, types of bombs, and treaties and
resolutions.
Morel, B. F. (2014). Nuclear Weapon. Retrieved November 17, 2014, from
http://nbk.grolier.com/ncpage?tn=/encyc/article.html&id=a2021280-h&type=0ta
This source overviews the danger of nuclear warfare, the effects of the weapons and
the types of weapons. This will be useful in the overview of nuclear weapons and
explaining the fundamentals such as effects, and types of weapons and how they work.

Countries that have nuclear programs

Global Issues in Context Collection. (2014). North Korea: Nuclear and Missile Programs.
Retrieved November 17, 2014, from http://find.galegroup.com/gic/infomark.do?
&source=gale&idigest=884efd72d317270b65cbc74ce5dcb3fc&prodId=GIC&userGro
upName=va_s_128_0920&tabID=&docId=CP3208520070&type=retrieve&contentSe
t=GREF&version=1.0
This source starts by explaining the international concern for North Koreas Nuclear
Weapon program and the countrys violation of international treaties. This source also
explains the political history of North Korea. The relationship between North Korea
and the US and UN is explained. This is helpful to my paper because, I want to talk
about the different countries that have nuclear weapons and this article explains North
Korea.
Ploughshares Fund. (2014, August 28). World Nuclear Stockpile Report. Retrieved November
17, 2014, from http://www.ploughshares.org/world-nuclear-stockpile-report
This article is a chart showing the world nuclear weapons stockpiles. This is a useful
graphic that can be referenced in an appendix. This article gives an estimate of nuclear
weapons that each country has and a full breakdown of each countrys nuclear
weapons stockpile. This source is very useful to explain the countries that have nuclear
weapons and also the different programs of each country. This article also explains
each type of nuclear weapon the country has.

Kimball, D., & Collina, T. (2014, June 23). Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance.
Retrieved November 17, 2014, from
http://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat
It discusses nuclear-weapon states, Non NPT nuclear weapons possessors, states of
immediate proliferation concern, and states that once had nuclear weapons. This is
helpful for talking about an overview of nuclear weapons and which countries have
nuclear weapons and how many they have. This article also talks about states of
immediate concern. This is helpful when explaining the countries that pose a threat to
the international community.
Nuclear War/Strategy
Grolier Online. (2014). Nuclear War. In Encyclopedia Americana. Retrieved November 17,
2014, from http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0290750-00 (accessed November 17,
2014).
Various topics of nuclear war are discovered in this article including: effects, radiation,
nuclear defense and deterrence, strategy, protection of nuclear forces, and accidental
nuclear war. This article is helpful for explaining my topic of nuclear strategy and
nuclear warfare.
Rhodes, E. (2014). Nuclear Strategy. In Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved
November 17, 2014, from http://gme.grolier.com/article?assetid=0210940-0
This article explores Deterrence, war, the evolution of nuclear strategy, dilemmas of nuclear
strategy, and nuclear defense. Nuclear strategy and war is a topic that I will explain in my paper.
This article describes the strategic rationale behind the creation of nuclear weapons and the new
problems emerging in the wake of the cold war.

Nuclear Disarmament/Treaties and Resolutions

UNODA - Nuclear Weapons Home. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2014, from
http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/
This UN article describes the danger of Nuclear Weapons and the treaties associated
with nuclear weapon proliferation. The UN is a very credible source when reference
nuclear weapons. Most of the international treaties and resolutions involving nuclear
weapons and states of concern are made by the UN. This source will be useful when
describing nuclear weapons in detail and referencing UN treaties for peace and nuclear
disarmament.
Nuclear Terrorism
Who's afraid of nuclear terrorism? (2013). The Wilson Quarterly 37.4. Retrieved November 17,
2014, from http://find.galegroup.com/gic/infomark.do?
&source=gale&idigest=884efd72d317270b65cbc74ce5dcb3fc&prodId=GIC&userGro
upName=va_s_128_0920&tabID=T002&docId=A353439703&type=retrieve&content
Set=IAC-Documents&version=1.0
This article explains the threat of nuclear terrorism and how US policymakers and
American public see it. This article explains how nuclear terrorism should be dealt
with and the possibility of an attack on the US. This source would be useful when
describing the effects of nuclear terrorism.

LIMITATIONS
Information is limited. Some countries havent released information about their nuclear programs
or they refuse to acknowledge that they own a nuclear program. North Korea might have a
possible program but information is limited because of the North Korean government
restrictions. Israel refuses to acknowledge the existence of a nuclear program which makes it
difficult to obtain information concerning the status of their involvement in nuclear technology.
Travel Persons that arent affiliated with the government dont have access to nuclear weapon
building or stockpile sites. This is kept under control by each countrys government which makes
civilian access to these sites nearly impossible. An exchange trip to Hiroshima, Japan has given
me inside knowledge on the first hand effects of the use of nuclear weapons.
Time Period My first hand experiences were exceptional for gaining knowledge, but it was at a
different time period than the bombing. Most of the damage has been rebuilt and the effects of
radiation have disappeared so this can affect my point of view. Also my generation was not alive
during the periods of past nuclear war. Speaking with people who were alive during that time
period and experienced the effects of the bombs has bolstered my own understanding of the
consequences of nuclear weapons.
Countries studied My research does not contain every country that may or may not have a
nuclear weapons program. My focus is on studying the US, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Russia and the United States have the most prominent nuclear weapons programs so they can be
of most use when discussing the political and social implications of nuclear weapons. Israel, and
North Korea have possible programs that could pose as a new potential threat to the international
community.

METHODOLOGY
For my original research, a survey was conducted about nuclear weapons. My research
was qualitative because the questions asked about opinions. Most of the questions that were
asked were about how the respondent viewed nuclear weapons and their knowledge of nuclear
weapons. This is information that cant be measured in numbers so that is why my research is
qualitative. Answers were received from classmates and friends and family online. A total of 30
answers were collected. There was an interesting variety and opinions in the answers. 72% of the
respondents were female and 23% were male. This is useful when comparing if male and female
have different opinions about nuclear weapons. The respondents also vary in age. With this
information, different age groups can be compared to see if they view the use of nuclear weapons
differently. This survey helped me understand how aware people are of the nuclear power of the
world today. It is important to know this because nuclear weapons will affect these people
everyone should be aware of such power. Questions were also asked that gave opinions on past
use of nuclear weapons. This was most important for me to know how many people agree with
the use of nuclear weapons and their opinions about the bombs dropped in Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. These were the questions that received the most variety. It was almost split between
for and against nuclear weapons and yes and no for the past use of nuclear weapons. Based on
my findings, a greater understanding about the civilian opinion on nuclear weapons has been
acquired. This gained information can be used when giving an overview of nuclear weapons. In
this section of my research paper, survey results can be explained.

10

OVERVIEW OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The term Nuclear weapons refers to weapons that harness the power of the atom. These
weapons are vastly more dangerous than conventional weapons. The earliest weapons were
called atomic bombs developed using fission to produce explosive energy. The explosive power
of nuclear weapons is measured in kilotons or megatons of TNT (Morel). Nuclear weapons today
are 10 to 100 times more powerful than the bomb Dragonfire that was incorrectly reported to be
in New York City. The largest bomb ever tested was a Soviet hydrogen bomb 4,500 times more
powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima (Thomas J. Watson).
Types
In the 1950s, both the United States and the Soviet Union increased the explosive power
of weapons by utilizing a process known as fusion. These weapons are known as thermonuclear
bombs. Fission weapons are often called hydrogen bombs because they depend on the fusion of
many hydrogen nuclei. Fusion releases more energy than fission. Fission weapons are also called
atomic bombs and derive all of their explosive energy from nuclear fission which is less
powerful that fusion weapons (Morel). This type of weapon was used on Hiroshima during
WWII. Fusion-boosted weapons derive almost all of their energy from fission but also have aid
from the process of fusion which makes the weapon stronger. Multistage thermonuclear weapons
are also known as Hydrogen bombs. Thermonuclear bombs derive their enormous explosive
energies from both fission and fusion. This releases more energy than a bomb just using fission.
Thermonuclear bombs are unable to use conventional explosives used for atomic bombs because
they arent powerful enough (Encyclopedia Americana). To trigger fusion in the weapon,
thermonuclear weapons use fission explosions. Primitive nuclear weapons were atomic bombs
with forces of 20 kilotons or less. Today, a single missile can yield a thermonuclear warhead
11

carrying 25 megatons of explosive power. These types of weapons are known as strategic nuclear
weapons which are weapons designed to destroy cities, industrial centers, and military
establishments. Tactical nuclear weapons are designed to travel shorter distances and have a
weaker explosive force. These types of weapons are mainly used for the battlefield and aircraft
(Morel).
Effects
The effects of a nuclear explosion are extremely devastating. In 1945, a single atomic
bomb destroyed most of the city of Hiroshima, Japan, and killed or injured more than half the
population. The effects of a nuclear explosion vary with the explosive force of the weapon. Very
immediate effects of nuclear weapons include the blast, heat, a fireball, and radiation
(Encyclopedia Americana). When a nuclear weapon explodes, an enormous amount of energy is
released in a very short amount of time. So much energy is released into such a small space that
the temperature can rise quickly to about 100 million degrees which is 5 times hotter than the
center of the sun. The hot air expands rapidly creating a shock wave that travels out from the
explosion. The blast is responsible for half of the energy from the explosion. The shock wave can
demolish whole buildings and cause damage for miles. The force is also great enough to produce
a large crater in the ground. A nuclear explosion can create a fireball which has a high enough
temperature to instantly destroy anything near the site of the explosion. Heat accounts for a third
of the released energy from the bomb. The heat can create fires that spread over a wide area and
as hot air rises the dust and dirt that are sucked into the fireball create a mushroom cloud shape.
Half of the radiation is initial and is released in the form of neutrons and gamma rays. This
radiation can kill anything near the site of explosion. Even from a distance people can become
sick from exposure to radiation and can develop cancers and other diseases. Delayed radiation
12

can be widespread and long-lasting. Radioactive fallout is dust mixed with radioactive bomb
products, toxic gases and heat (Morel). This fallout can travel a great distance and coat
everything it comes in contact with contaminating the area with radioactive debris, harming
people hundreds of miles away from the explosion site. This can contaminate soil, water and
food supplies.
Nuclear weapons are completely devastating no matter where they are used, they have
profound effects on the population in the area that it is used and has serious health and ecological
effects. Effects such as radiation can stay in the area for years and harm people miles away. Most
of what people know about the effects of nuclear weapons was learned in the explosions from
Hiroshima and Nagasaki and also in tests conducted in isolated areas. Scientists were not aware
of the implications that the bombs would have on the people and today still arent sure of all of
the effects because these new bombs havent been tested in populated areas.

13

NUCLEAR WAR
One of the main functions of a countrys military is to defend the nations territory and
population against enemy attack. Because of the vast and expanding power and knowledge of
nuclear arms, it is far more difficult to carry out this function. At the end of the Cold War, the
United States and Russia continued to grow large strategic nuclear forces. President Ronald
Reagan and Soviet President Gorbachev said in a joint declaration in 1986, A nuclear war
cannot be won and must never be fought. However, both the United States and Russia currently
have plans for fighting and if possible winning a nuclear war (Thomas J. Watson). Nuclear war is
a concern for the United Nations and many countries today. With a total of more than 16,000
nuclear weapons in the world, the entire population of the planet could be wiped out
(Ploughshares Fund).
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States developed nuclear weapons during World War II in a massive and
costly effort called The Manhattan Project. The American military believed that it would have
to invade Japan and that U.S casualties could range between 100,000 and 500,000. Hoping to
speed the end of the war, Harry S Truman authorized dropping the bomb on Japan. The United
States dropped the first nuclear bomb on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 (Thomas J.
Watson). Some victims were vaporized instantly, many survivors were horribly disfigured, and
death from radiation was uncertainit might not claim its victims for days, weeks, months, or
even years.
The initial death count in Hiroshima was 42,000-93,000 people and this was based solely
on body disposal. Months later the death toll increased to 130,000. The death toll in Nagasaki
was 60,000-70,000. Over 90% of the people within 500 meters of ground zero died instantly.
14

They received high doses of radiation or vaporized from the intense heat. Figures 1 and 2 show
the intense burns that some of the victims had that killed them shortly after. Most victims
developed cancers and other diseases related to the radiation. A national survey of October 1950
gives a national survivor total of 283,508, with 158,597 for Hiroshima and 124,167 for Nagasaki
(AtomicBombMuseum). Many of the survivors suffered from physical issues and deformities
that marked them forever. These people are called hibakusha. A chart of physical issues
experienced by survivors are located in figure 3. The fate of all survivors is to live with the
stigma that the atomic bomb stamped permanent marks on their minds and bodies. It imposed on
them an abhorrent lifelong burden, one to live with yet try to overcome (AtomicBombMuseum).
In my original research I asked my respondents if they agree with the past use of nuclear
weapons in war and 35% of them agreed. Most of the respondents that agreed said because
America would have lost more people invading the mainland. Nuclear warfare is not a stable
approach when handling foreign relations because the risks are too drastic for the entire world
considering that our bombs are far more powerful today than they ever were.

15

COUNTRIES WITH NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Nations such as Russia and the United States supply themselves with stockpiles of
nuclear weapons in hope to preserve a peaceful state. Is this really considered keeping peace?
This only puts fear into other nations, who then also build a nuclear stockpile. They continue to
build their nuclear stockpile while advocating for nuclear proliferation in other countries,
because it is dangerous for other nations to have nuclear weapons. Every nation should disarm
themselves of these dangerous weapons.
At the beginning of the nuclear age, the United States hoped to maintain a
monopoly on its new technology but the knowledge spread to other nations who soon
started making their own weapons. Russia and the United States have approximately
15,300 warheads of the approximately 16,300 weapons in the world (Ploughshare Fund
Figure 4). US and Russian arsenals are capable of destroying humanity. Preventing the
spread of nuclear weapons is a top priority, but can it really happen when so much
nuclear knowledge is attainable? The United States has identified Iran and North Korea
as two states that represent a threat to U.S security because of their nuclear weapons
programs but the United States itself is reason for concern.
Russia
Soviet leaders believed that they would not be able to defend their country or compete
internationally with the United States and its allies if they could not match its military power. In
September 1949, the Soviets exploded their first atomic bomb. Moscows development of
nuclear weapons forced American defense planners to revise their approach to national security.
Today, Russia is in the middle of modernizing its nuclear forces, replacing Soviet-era ballistic

16

missiles with fewer improved missiles. Russia has a stockpile of approximately 4,500 nuclear
warheads, of which roughly 1,800 strategic warheads are deployed on missiles and at bomber
bases. Another 700 strategic warheads are in storage, along with 2,000 nonstrategic warheads
(Ploughshares Fund). There is some uncertainty in these estimates because Russia does not
disclose how many nuclear weapons it has and the United States has stopped releasing data
supplied by Russia under strategic arms reduction agreements.
United States
The United States comes in second behind Russia when discussing nuclear weapons.
Being the first and only country to ever drop a nuclear bomb in combat, the United States is
understandably one of the biggest concerns for nuclear weapons. The US has an estimated 4,650
nuclear warheads available for delivery by more than 800 ballistic missiles and aircraft. A
stockpile of 2,700 outdated but intact warheads await dismantlement which increases the total
inventory to 7,400 warheads (Ploughshares Fund). To comply with New START (a treaty to
reduce US nuclear stockpile), the United States is expected to eliminate land-based missile silos,
reduce the number of launch tubes on its missile submarines, and limit its inventory of nuclearcapable bombers in coming years. Coinciding with a revised nuclear weapons strategy, the
Obama administration is also planning an upgrade of all nuclear weapons systems (US
Department of State).
Iran
The United States believes that Iran has a well-established program to develop nuclear
weapons. The Iranian government has claimed that it has the right to develop nuclear materials
for peaceful purposes. Russian officials proposed supplying Iran with fuel for its nuclear power

17

plants. In 2006 Iran restarted its Uranium enrichment program in a move that raised concern
worldwide. Iran has threatened to withdraw completely from the Non-Proliferation Treaty but
other nations have negotiated with Iran to encourage it to end its nuclear program. Irans
president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has defended Irans right to a nuclear program and
announced that Israel should be wiped off the map. This has heightened international concern
about Irans real intentions. An Iranian nuclear arsenal, policymakers fear, could touch off a
regional arms race while emboldening Tehran to undertake aggressive, even reckless, actions.
Some of the fears for Irans nuclear weapon program are that Iran will give weapons to terrorist
groups, use their weapons to blackmail other states to meet demands or that Iran will engage in
aggressive behavior (Posen B. R).
North Korea
In 2002, North Korea admitted that it had been continuing work on a nuclear weapons
program for years, violating an agreement known as the Agreed Framework, not to develop
weapons. North Korea noted that the US had also failed to live up to its half of the agreement.
North Korea expelled the International Atomic Energys weapons monitors, announced that it
was beginning production of nuclear materials, and declared that it was withdrawing from the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In 2003, North Korea claimed to be processing nuclear
material to make bombs, and has threatened to use them against the United States if attacked.
North Korea may have produced enough nuclear material to make six nuclear bombs (Global
Issues). There is also concern that North Korea will sell its weapons to other states or terrorists.
Intelligence experts and the international diplomatic community, in their efforts to provide a
timetable for diplomacy and sanctions, continue to debate how long it might take North Korea to
master the missile and nuclear technology.
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NUCLEAR TERRORISM
While no one knows if any terrorist group has acquired nuclear weapons, it is widely
agreeable that if a nuclear explosion were to happen, it would be detrimental to the world.
Terrorist groups differ from states in that they can be mobile and difficult to identify, therefore
the threat of massive retaliation, a central part of deterrence, is unlikely to stop a terrorist from
acting. There is strong international concern with countries possibly giving terrorist groups
weapons. The possibilities that al Qaeda might acquire the materials and the knowledge for
building nuclear weapons or attack nuclear-power facilities are of main concern for the
international community (Brill K.C). Although nuclear weapons facilities are generally wellguarded, experts point out that weapons are more vulnerable to theft when they are being
transported from place to place. Terrorist organizations might also try to buy a nuclear weapon.
There is concern that North Korea, a country desperate for money might sell a nuclear weapon.
The Nuclear Control Institute has been alerting the public and policymakers to these risks,
seeking emergency measures to reduce the vulnerabilities, and monitoring and assessing the
responses of industry, governments and international agencies (NTI). It is unlikely that a terrorist
group might use conventional military means to use a nuclear weapon but there is concern that
one could be smuggled into the US. The new threat of terrorism has reinvigorated the debate
about the role these weapons play in the world (Whos afraid).

19

PEACE/RESOLUTIONS
The United Nations has fought to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons ever
since its founding. The first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1946 established
a Commission to deal with problems related to the discovery of atomic energy among others. A
number of treaties have been established with the aim of preventing nuclear proliferation and
testing while promoting nuclear disarmament. These include the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests In The Atmosphere, In
Outer Space And Under Water, also known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), and the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which was signed in 1996 but has yet to enter
into force (UNODA).
The United States has implemented the New START Treaty between the Russian
Federation on measures for the further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. This
treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011. Under the treaty, The US and Russia must meet the
central limits of the treaty on strategic arms by February 5, 2018. This treaty is essential to
maintain nuclear peace and to limit the nuclear superpowers of the world (US Department).
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has been the most prominent
treaty. This treaty was opened for signatures at London, Moscow and Washington July 1st, 1968
and entered into force March 5th, 1970. The NPTs depositary governments are the Russian
Federation, United Kingdom, and the United States. The treaty had 93 signatories including
China, North Korea, France, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, and the United States
(UNODA). This is why international concern has grown around this treaty because these
countries are all prominent nuclear powers. North Korea has resigned from the treaty and Iran
almost resigned which is an understandable concern for the international community.
20

CONCLUSION
Nuclear weapons are devastating no matter the circumstance. The political and
social consequences can be detrimental to the world for years to come. The effects of nuclear
weapons can destroy an entire city like Hiroshima or Nagasaki, but today with many effects of
the larger bombs unknown, the effects can be even more harmful. Nuclear war is must be
avoided at all costs. We have seen the damage that nuclear weapons have in war and the outcome
is horrifying. The nuclear arms race to compete with growing nuclear superpowers is heighten
the global concern for countries with nuclear weapons programs. North Korea and Iran are of
main concern because their intentions for their nuclear programs are unclear. This has put
political strain between these countries and the UN. North Korea resigned from the NPT which
given special concern to the country. The international community has kept close watch on these
countries and their nuclear programs to insure that the proliferation is kept to a minimum. The
threat of nuclear terrorism is also a concern which has also led many countries to build a nuclear
arsenal. The UN and the United States fear that certain states will give these terrorist groups
weapons and will be used to target major military powers. This is a major concern for nuclear
development today. The United Nations was developed on the idea of nuclear nonproliferation
and continues to be the driving force for continued treaties and limitations on nuclear stockpiles.
New advancements in nuclear technology will always be a threat for the world and the only way
for true international nuclear peace is total nuclear disarmament which many world governments
disagree with. If our global society wants a peaceful future then our growing generations need to
be taught about peace and how to end conflicts. This will ultimately show our future leaders that
weapons arent the only way to solve conflict and will end nuclear proliferation and promote
total nuclear disarmament.
21

APPENDIX
Nuclear Weapons Survey
I received a total of 30 answers. There was an interesting variety and opinions in the
answers. 72% of my respondents were female and 23% were male. This is useful because I can
compare if male and female have different opinions about nuclear weapons. My respondents also
vary in age. With this information I can also compare if different age groups see the use of
nuclear weapons differently. This survey helped me understand how aware people are of the
nuclear power of the world today.
Question 1: How many countries do you think have nuclear weapons? Can you name
any?
Question 2: Of the countries that you named, how many nuclear weapons does each
have?
Question 3: How many nuclear weapons have been used and where?
Question 4: Why do you think nuclear weapons were made?
Question 5: Are you for or against nuclear weapons? Why?
Question 6: Do you agree with past use of nuclear weapons in war?
Question 7: What is your age?
Question 8: What is your gender?

22

Figure 1

Marked thermal burns on soldier exposed within 1 km of ground zero. His waist was
protected by a thick waist band (AtomicBombMuseum).
Figure 2

Exposed skin of a woman seared by intense heat was blown away by fierce wave (but
white blouse deflected the intense heat). Most of those suffering severe burns over more
than 20% of their bodies died on the spot or a short time later (AtomicBombMuseum).

23

Figure 3

Observed complaints and symptoms among exposed survivors over 8-year period
(AtomicBombMuseum).

24

Figure 4

This is a chart summarizing the total nuclear weapons each country owns.

25

BIBLIOGRAPHY
AtomicBombMuseum. (2006). Counting the Dead. Retrieved December 11, 2014, from
http://atomicbombmuseum.org/3_health.shtml
This website gives details relating to the bomb dropped in Hiroshima. It gives an
overview of the causalities and effects of the bomb.
Brill, K. C., & Luongo, K. N. (2012, March 15). Nuclear Terrorism: A Clear Danger. Retrieved
November 17, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/opinion/nuclearterrorism-a-clear-danger.html?_r=0
This article is credible from the New York Times. It discusses the danger of nuclear
terrorism, the various groups involved in nuclear terrorism and efforts to quell the
problem.
Encyclopedia Americana. (2014, September 24). Nuclear War. Retrieved September 24, 2014,
from http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0290750-00
This article describes nuclear warfare, effects of nuclear warfare. It also describes
nuclear forces in great detail. This site is credible since it came from the Grolier
database.
Global Issues in Context Collection. (2014). North Korea: Nuclear and Missile Programs.
Retrieved November 17, 2014, from http://find.galegroup.com/gic/infomark.do?
&source=gale&idigest=884efd72d317270b65cbc74ce5dcb3fc&prodId=GIC&userGro
upName=va_s_128_0920&tabID=&docId=CP3208520070&type=retrieve&contentSe
t=GREF&version=1.0

26

This article is credible from the gale group. This article explains North Korea's
potential nuclear weapon program and how the UN is handling the potential threat.
Morel, B. F. (2014). Nuclear Weapon. Retrieved November 17, 2014, from
http://nbk.grolier.com/ncpage?tn=/encyc/article.html&id=a2021280-h&type=0ta
This is a credible source from the Grolier Online database. This source overviews the
danger of nuclear warfare, the effects of the weapons and the types of weapons.
NTI. (2014, November 11). Nuclear Disarmament Resource Collection | NTI. Retrieved
November 17, 2014, from http://www.nti.org/analysis/reports/nuclear-disarmament/
This article is credible because it comes from an organization website. This article
explains the Non-Proliferation treaty and nuclear disarmament. Also it discussed if
there has been any progress towards disarmament.
Ploughshares Fund. (2014, August 28). World Nuclear Stockpile Report. Retrieved November
17, 2014, from http://www.ploughshares.org/world-nuclear-stockpile-report
This is a credible article from a non profit organization. This article is a chart showing
the world nuclear weapons stockpiles.
Posen, B. R. (2006, February 27). We Can Live With a Nuclear Iran. New York Times. Retrieved
November 17, 2014, from http://find.galegroup.com/gic/infomark.do?
&source=gale&idigest=884efd72d317270b65cbc74ce5dcb3fc&prodId=GIC&userGro
upName=va_s_128_0920&tabID=T006&docId=A142556232&type=retrieve&content
Set=IAC-Documents&version=1.0
This is a credible source from gale group and New York Times. This article explains
Iran's nuclear program and the arms race with its surrounding neighbors and the
possibility of a threat to the US and its allies.

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Thomas J. Watson Institute for International Studies, & Brown University. (2006). The Challenge
of Nuclear Weapons. The Choices Program, 1-30.
This packet is part of the choices program and explains the many aspects of nuclear
weapons and past usage.
UNODA - Nuclear Weapons Home. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2014, from
http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/
This UN article describes the danger of Nuclear Weapons and the treaties associated
with nuclear weapon proliferation.
US Department of State. (n.d.). New START. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from
http://www.state.gov/t/avc/newstart/index.htm
This is a government site that gives an overview of the New Start Treaty between US
and Russia.
Who's afraid of nuclear terrorism? (2013). The Wilson Quarterly 37.4. Retrieved November 17,
2014, from http://find.galegroup.com/gic/infomark.do?
&source=gale&idigest=884efd72d317270b65cbc74ce5dcb3fc&prodId=GIC&userGro
upName=va_s_128_0920&tabID=T002&docId=A353439703&type=retrieve&content
Set=IAC-Documents&version=1.0
This article is credible from gale group. This article explains the threat of nuclear
terrorism and how US policymakers and American public see it.

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