The
Cold War era was a tough time for everyone.
The threat of nuclear holocaust was real. We now know that the United States and Soviet
Union did not launch nuclear weapons at each other but let’s take a step back
into history and see what was done to help prevent this war from happening.
Atomic energy
was promising but not exactly safe at the time, especially with it being
weaponized. There was a push for
regulation of atomic energy to ensure the safety of the people. Under-Secretary of State Dean Acheson and the
Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority David Lilienthal were appointed to
lead a special advisory committee by Secretary of State James Byrnes. Acheson and Lilienthal, along with Robert
Oppenheimer called for the creation of an Atomic Development Authority to oversee
the entire atomic energy process, from mining to production[1]. This report was presented to President Truman
and he ultimately chose not to enact the plan.
The plan did rely on the Soviet Union’s consent which they were unlikely
to give but Truman made no effort to persuade the Soviet Union.
[1] U.S. Department of State, "U.S. Department of State: Office of the Historian." Accessed February 17, 2013. http://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/BaruchPlans.
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