The Decline of a Dangerous Nuclear Age
Nuclear Testing Goes Underground
August 31, 1985 file photo of the Mururoa lagoon, French Polynesia, after an underground nuclear test. France will resume nucleartesting in French Polynesia with a series of seven or eight nuclear blasts from September 1995 through May 1996. Black point at center shows the epicenter of the blast, with waters around becoming white. (AP PHOTO)
Even though it dramatically lowered the number of nuclear tests carried out by the two major world powers of the time as well as the amount of fission particles in the environment, the Partial Test Ban Treaty allowed the continuation of one type of test: underground, in giant holes far beneath the earth’s surface. This type of trial, when carried out correctly, emitted none to minimal explosion particles into the natural environment. Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union continued testing in subterranean environments well into the 1990’s. However, it was not completely successful. France and China were the only major world powers not to sign the Limited Test Ban Treaty, and "they continued to test intermittently until the early 1980's"(Jessica L. Cox, Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty). There was also somewhat of a small nuclear arms race between Pakistan, India, and other countries in the same region in the last ten years, but for the most part, the amount of nuclear fallout being scattered into the environment was significantly decreased. The U.S. performed several underground tests, each one working as planned, with the exception of the major containment failure of the Baneberry test in 1970.
Even though it dramatically lowered the number of nuclear tests carried out by the two major world powers of the time as well as the amount of fission particles in the environment, the Partial Test Ban Treaty allowed the continuation of one type of test: underground, in giant holes far beneath the earth’s surface. This type of trial, when carried out correctly, emitted none to minimal explosion particles into the natural environment. Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union continued testing in subterranean environments well into the 1990’s. However, it was not completely successful. France and China were the only major world powers not to sign the Limited Test Ban Treaty, and "they continued to test intermittently until the early 1980's"(Jessica L. Cox, Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty). There was also somewhat of a small nuclear arms race between Pakistan, India, and other countries in the same region in the last ten years, but for the most part, the amount of nuclear fallout being scattered into the environment was significantly decreased. The U.S. performed several underground tests, each one working as planned, with the exception of the major containment failure of the Baneberry test in 1970.
AEC Abolished
The Atomic Energy Commission was disestablished under President Jimmy Carter as a result of the ratification of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. The act divided the responsibilities of the AEC, which were to regulate the use of nuclear technology as well as to develop atomic tools and weapons, into two different organizations: the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA). The political power consolidated into the AEC was broken up as well, and nuclear weapon advocates became much less dominant in politics.
Asia, India, and The Middle East
A fenced off section of the underground test site at Pokhran, 330 miles, (550 kms) southwest of New Delhi is seen in this December 1995 photo. India conducted three underground nuclear explosions at the site Monday May, 11, 1998, the first nuclear tests by India since 1974. (AP Photo/Indian Express)
The most recent nuclear tests, the last one occurring in 2009, took place primarily in Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Many of these countries were just entering the modern age, and they developed nuclear weapons as proof of their advancements. “Smiling Buddha”, India’s first nuclear test, was carried out on May 18, 1974, almost ten years after the Partial Test Ban Treaty. Of the 106 countries that had originally signed the treaty, few existed in this area of the world. The tests in India were extremely surprising from a historian’s point of view because the Indian Prime Minister during the nuclear age, Jawaharlal Nehru, spoke out for, among many other things, an end to the radioactive experiments. However, the tests took place under the administration of Indira Gandhi, the third prime minister, and Nehru’s daughter. Pakistan and China also did some testing of their own in the 80’s and 90’s. According to the New York Times, "It was May 12, 2010, and a story on the front page of North Korea’s leading state-run newspaper declared that the country’s scientists had achieved nuclear fusion" (Choe Sang-Hun, New Study Points to Unknown Nuclear Tests by North Korea in 2010). North Korea, also known as the hermit kingdom, most likely performed this test not to test the practicality of nuclear weapons in warfare, but rather to demonstrate the power of the government over it's people and to make itself seem more advanced from an international perspective. Although atomic fission is performed every once and a while, the amount of nuclear testing has been brought to a minimum.
The most recent nuclear tests, the last one occurring in 2009, took place primarily in Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Many of these countries were just entering the modern age, and they developed nuclear weapons as proof of their advancements. “Smiling Buddha”, India’s first nuclear test, was carried out on May 18, 1974, almost ten years after the Partial Test Ban Treaty. Of the 106 countries that had originally signed the treaty, few existed in this area of the world. The tests in India were extremely surprising from a historian’s point of view because the Indian Prime Minister during the nuclear age, Jawaharlal Nehru, spoke out for, among many other things, an end to the radioactive experiments. However, the tests took place under the administration of Indira Gandhi, the third prime minister, and Nehru’s daughter. Pakistan and China also did some testing of their own in the 80’s and 90’s. According to the New York Times, "It was May 12, 2010, and a story on the front page of North Korea’s leading state-run newspaper declared that the country’s scientists had achieved nuclear fusion" (Choe Sang-Hun, New Study Points to Unknown Nuclear Tests by North Korea in 2010). North Korea, also known as the hermit kingdom, most likely performed this test not to test the practicality of nuclear weapons in warfare, but rather to demonstrate the power of the government over it's people and to make itself seem more advanced from an international perspective. Although atomic fission is performed every once and a while, the amount of nuclear testing has been brought to a minimum.
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
President Clinton signs the historic Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty at the United Nations in New York Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1996. Clinton became the first world leader to sign the historic Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. In a ceremony full of symbolism, Clinton said he signed the historic treaty with the same pen President John F. Kennedy used to sign the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty. The treaty, he said, is a "solemn vow" to create a "better, safer world." (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Throughout the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, countries exploded atomic weapons for the sheer purpose of heightening their status from an international perspective. A nation was much more fearsome and powerful if they could say that they possessed an extremely powerful weapon, and if they demonstrated that they weren’t afraid to use it. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was negotiated in Geneva, Switzerland, and adopted by two-thirds of the United Nations General Assembly in September of 1996. The treaty prohibits the experimentation of atomic weaponry of any kind and for any purpose. Of the forty-four nuclear armed states specifically listed in the treaty, "India, Pakistan, and North Korea have refused to sign, and 13 (including the U.S.) have signed but not ratified" (Larry Gilman, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty). However, few explosions have occurred since then, officially ending the arms race and the age of nuclear testing.
Throughout the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, countries exploded atomic weapons for the sheer purpose of heightening their status from an international perspective. A nation was much more fearsome and powerful if they could say that they possessed an extremely powerful weapon, and if they demonstrated that they weren’t afraid to use it. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was negotiated in Geneva, Switzerland, and adopted by two-thirds of the United Nations General Assembly in September of 1996. The treaty prohibits the experimentation of atomic weaponry of any kind and for any purpose. Of the forty-four nuclear armed states specifically listed in the treaty, "India, Pakistan, and North Korea have refused to sign, and 13 (including the U.S.) have signed but not ratified" (Larry Gilman, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty). However, few explosions have occurred since then, officially ending the arms race and the age of nuclear testing.