British Nuclear Culture

Synopsis

The advent of the atomic bomb, the social and cultural impact of nuclear science, and the history of the British nuclear state after 1945 is a complex and contested story. British Nuclear Culture is an important survey that offers a new interpretation of the nuclear century by tracing the tensions between 'official' and 'unofficial' nuclear narratives in British culture. In this book, Jonathan Hogg argues that nuclear culture was a pervasive and persistent aspect of British life, particularly in the years following 1945. This idea is illustrated through detailed analysis of various primary source materials, such as newspaper articles, government files, fictional texts, film, music and oral testimonies. The book introduces unfamiliar sources to students of nuclear and cold war history, and offers in-depth and critical reflections on the expanding historiography in this area of research. Chronologically arranged, British Nuclear Culture reflects upon, and returns to, a number of key themes throughout, including nuclear anxiety, government policy, civil defence, 'nukespeak' and nuclear subjectivity, individual experience, protest and resistance, and the influence of the British nuclear state on everyday life. The book contains illustrations, individual case studies, a select bibliography, a timeline, and a list of helpful online resources for students of nuclear history.

Summary

Chapter 1: Imagining the Atom

* Explores the early history of nuclear science and its impact on British culture.
* Example: H.G. Wells' novel "The World Set Free" (1914) popularized the concept of atomic energy and fueled fears of nuclear war.

Chapter 2: The Development of British Nuclear Weapons

* Traces the development of Britain's nuclear weapons program during World War II and afterward.
* Example: The Manhattan Project, a collaboration between the United States, Britain, and Canada, led to the development of the atomic bomb.

Chapter 3: Nuclear Testing and the Cold War

* Examines the role of nuclear testing in British nuclear culture during the Cold War.
* Example: The "Operation Buffalo" nuclear test on Christmas Island in 1957 caused widespread public concern about the environmental and health effects of nuclear weapons.

Chapter 4: The Atomic State

* Assesses the impact of nuclear weapons on British government and society.
* Example: The creation of the Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) in 1954 established a centralized body to oversee nuclear research and development.

Chapter 5: The Nuclear Power Industry

* Explores the development of the British nuclear power industry and its role in energy policy.
* Example: The construction of the Sizewell B nuclear power station in the 1980s sparked debates about the safety and sustainability of nuclear energy.

Chapter 6: Nuclear Waste Management

* Examines the challenges and controversies surrounding the management of nuclear waste in Britain.
* Example: The proposed underground nuclear waste repository at Sellafield in Cumbria has been met with strong local opposition and scientific concerns.

Chapter 7: The Nuclear Age in Popular Culture

* Analyzes the representation of nuclear weapons and nuclear technology in British literature, film, and television.
* Example: The film "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1964) satirizes the absurdity of nuclear war.

Chapter 8: The Future of British Nuclear Culture

* Discusses the ongoing debates about the role of nuclear weapons and nuclear power in Britain.
* Example: The decision by the UK government in 2023 to replace its aging Trident nuclear missile system has reignited debates about the necessity and morality of nuclear deterrence.