It is 75 years ago that a terrifying and destructive weapon came into our lives, after two atomic bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, destroying both Japanese cities. This year we celebrate 75 years of freedom after the Second World War. But are we living in freedom, while atomic threat is still present?
Dr. Dick van Lente (ESHCC) is an expert on the history of the atomic bomb and talks about this devastating weapon in this online lecture. What was the cause and what are the consequences of the arms race between the United States and the Soviet-Union? What happened to the enormous number of weapons produced during that period? Should we fear new possible nuclear powers such as Iran and China? And can the corona pandemic create collaborations and prevent (atomic) conflicts?
Dr. Dick van Lente is a former teacher of cultural history at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication and specialized in the history of the computer and of the atomic bomb. He is currently working on a comparative study on the history of computing in thirteen countries.
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Moderation: Lenya Slierendrecht, Studium Generale programme maker.
Do you have any questions about this college? Don't hesitate to mail them to vanlente@eshcc.eur.nl.
Note from dr. Dick van Lente: in minute 30 dr. Van Lente speaks of Medvedev as president of the Soviet Union but of course that must be Russia.- Related links
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