So far, in class we have learned about the history of atomic and nuclear weapon possession in the United States and Soviet Union, which got me interested in the other countries’ progress in nuclear testing during this time. It turns out that the United Kingdom was the third nation to detonate a nuclear weapon, on October 3 1952, known as Operation Hurricane.
Britain’s history of nuclear weapon involvement began with the Tube Alloys project, which was merged with America’s Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb. With this in mind, it is only natural that Britain would have a significant involvement in America’s progress in nuclear weapons, playing a large role in America’s first atomic bomb.
Upon the end of World War II, America stopped cooperating with Britain on nuclear weapon development. America’s choice to do so reflected America’s desire to maintain its monopoly on atomic weaponry. In addition, this choice was interpreted by British as a possible sign of American isolationism. After the war, Britain was losing its status as an international power, already far overshadowed by the United States and Soviet Union. Therefore, after their breakup, Britain continued their project to build nuclear weapons.
Britain’s geography prevented an easy area for them to conduct atomic testing on their own home country, so the British were forced to seek areas overseas. Their first choice was an American nuclear testing area, the Pacific Proving Grounds; however, the Americans refused the British request. After that, Britain turned to America’s Nevada Test Site, which America accepted, provided that Americans were the ones to conduct the test. Fearing a one-sided information exchange and potential humiliation if failure were to be overseen by the Americans, Britain ultimately chose to conduct their first test on an island of their close ally Australia.
This interaction between Britain and American for Britain’s first nuclear test is one example of America’s desire for secrecy and monopoly over nuclear weaponry. Despite Britain’s major contribution to the production of the atomic bomb during World War II, once the war ended, the US desire for monopoly resulted in the breaking of the collaboration between the two countries. This event also gives another example of how important a common enemy was for countries to unite in World War II, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Even though collaboration between these two Allies was necessary when fighting against Hitler, America no longer saw a need to collaborate as much with Britain once the war is over, which is only natural. In other words, the decrease in strength of collaboration between former war Allies was not just limited between the US and the Soviet Union.
I really enjoyed this post and how you incorporated analysis and conclusions you've drawn from the information you've learned. It's incredibly interesting to learn about Britain's process of creating an atomic bomb and testing it and to consider the fact that it had never even crossed my mind that Britain had built one.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting post. I never knew anything about the British nuclear program and I am surprised nobody had told me until now that the British were so closely involved in the Manhattan Project.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post, as I found the topic very interesting. I like how you analyzed the actions of the British and the Americans and came to a logical conclusion. Both the United Kingdom and Canada assisted the United States in the Manhattan Project. Scientists from the two countries moved to America to join the project, and there were also research and production sites overseas.
ReplyDeleteSource: https://www.britannica.com/event/Manhattan-Project