This course provides an introduction to the history of nuclear weapons, from their inception during World War II, through the nuclear arms race and the Cold War. It makes use of a range of primary sources and historiography, giving you an opportunity to engage with and analyse key themes. It will introduce you to key debates relating to nuclear weapons, including the use of the bomb against Japan in August of 1945, the fallout debate that emerged during the 1950s and 1960s, and the issue of nuclear proliferation. Each session will cover a different aspect of the topic, examples of which are: The Manhattan Project; Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the Arms Race; the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Course Information
Tutor:
Fiona Bowler
Dates: Monday 21st October – Monday 25th November 2019