Watch History of Nuclear Defense: Surviving Atomic Attack

The show History of Nuclear Defense: Surviving Atomic Attack from A2ZCDS is a comprehensive look at the evolution of nuclear defense strategies and technologies over the course of the Cold War. The series is comprised of a series of expert interviews, archival footage, and detailed animations that explain the science behind nuclear weapons, the history of nuclear defense, and the strategies that the United States and other nations developed to mitigate the effects of a nuclear attack.

The show begins with an overview of the development of nuclear weapons during World War II, including the Manhattan Project and the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From there, the series moves on to the early days of the Cold War, when both the United States and the Soviet Union developed large stockpiles of nuclear warheads and began testing them in the desert and in the atmosphere. We learn about the Cuban Missile Crisis, in which the United States and Soviet Union nearly went to war over the presence of nuclear missiles in Cuba.

Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to key figures in the history of nuclear defense, such as Robert McNamara, who served as Secretary of Defense during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and who famously advocated for a policy of mutual assured destruction. We hear from engineers and scientists who worked on developing nuclear weapons and on devising ways to mitigate their destructive effects, such as protective shelters and early warning systems.

One of the key themes of the series is the idea of deterrence: both the United States and Soviet Union believed that the sheer power of their nuclear arsenals would deter the other side from launching a first strike. However, as the series shows, this doctrine was not foolproof, and there were a number of close calls in which nuclear war seemed imminent. We hear about a number of false alarms, such as when a computer error erroneously reported a nuclear attack on the United States in 1979.

Despite the emphasis on deterrence, the series also explores efforts by both the United States and Soviet Union to develop defensive technologies that could protect against a nuclear attack. We learn about early warning systems that could detect incoming missiles, as well as missile defense systems that could shoot down enemy warheads before they reached their targets. The series also delves into the development of emergency response plans, including the government's civil defense programs and the creation of fallout shelters in public buildings and private homes.

Throughout the series, the dangers of nuclear war are made abundantly clear. We see the devastation wrought by the atomic bombs in Japan, and learn about the destructive power of the hydrogen bomb, which can produce an explosion many times more powerful than even the largest atomic bomb. However, the series also emphasizes that nuclear war is not inevitable, and that there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict. Viewers are encouraged to learn more about the history of nuclear weapons and to advocate for policies that reduce the likelihood of their use.

Overall, the show History of Nuclear Defense: Surviving Atomic Attack from A2ZCDS is an informative and thought-provoking look at one of the most important issues of our time. The series provides a comprehensive overview of the history of nuclear defense, from the early days of the Cold War to the present day, and investigates the technologies and strategies that have been developed to mitigate the dangers of nuclear war. Through expert interviews, archival footage, and detailed animations, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the science behind nuclear weapons and the complex political and social factors that have shaped their development over the past several decades.