DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Burlington Atomic Energy Week, 1947 | ""More People Think Invention Of The Atomic Bomb Was A Mistake"" by George Gallup

Transcribe
Translate

Burlington Atomic Energy Week, 1947

""More People Think Invention Of The Atomic Bomb Was A Mistake"" by George Gallup

More People Think Invention Of Atomic Bomb Was Mistake 

BY GEORGE GALLUP. 
Director, American Institute of Public Opinion

The American public has had some second thoughts on the atomic bomb in the 26 months since Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 
While a majority continue to believe the development of the bomb was a good thing, the number who disagree with that conclusion has more than doubled. 

[Box with following inside]
GALLUP POLL


Significantly also, the "no opinion" answers have been cut in half. 
The following question was asked of several thousand representative Americans during the excitement of September, 1945 and just repeated in a similar coast to coast survey.:

"Do you think it was a good thing or a bad thing that the atomic bomb was developed?"

The comparative results:
September, Today 

Good thing, 69%, 55%
Bad Thing 17,38
No opinion, 14, 7

Several other observations on the public's attitudes toward atomic bombs are possible in the light of the new Institute survey:
1. Realization is growing that the bomb may be an even more effective war weapon than was originally believed. Six out of 10 people today say that they feel the destructive power of the bomb is greater than they first believed. 
2. On the other hand, slightly more than half the population continues to have faith that American scientists will be able to develop a defense against atomic attacks. 
3. Despite America's strong hopes for a successful United Nations, the public remains wary about placing control of atomic bomb secrets in the U.N. Security Council, Seven out of 10 want the United States and England to keep the secret as long as possible. 
4. The opinion is growing that the United States should continue to produce the bombs. The following table compares answers to this question asked in May, 1946 and now:

"SHOULD THE UNITED STATES CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE THE ATOM BOMB?"

May 1946, Today 
Should continue, 61%, 70%
Should not, 30,26
No opinion, 9, 4

5. The fact that more people today think that other nations have solved the riddle may account for the growing desire for continued American atom bomb production. 

In answer to the question: "DO YOU THINK ANY OTHER COUNTRY IS ALREADY MAKING ATOM BOMBS?" the comparative response was as follows:

May 1946, Today 
Yes, 42% , 59$
No 40, 33
No opinion, 18, 8

Saving...

More People Think Invention Of Atomic Bomb Was Mistake BY GEORGE GALLUP. Director, American Institute of Public Opinion The American public has had some second thoughts on the atomic bomb in the 26 months since Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While a majority continue to believe the development of the bomb was a good thing, the number who disagree with that conclusion has more than doubled. [Box with following inside] GALLUP POLL Significantly also, the "no opinion" answers have been cut in half. The following question was asked of several thousand representative Americans during the excitement of September, 1945 and just repeated in a similar coast to coast survey.: "Do you think it was a good thing or a bad thing that the atomic bomb was developed?" The comparative results: September, Today Good thing, 69%, 55% Bad Thing 17,38 No opinion, 14, 7 Several other observations on the public's attitudes toward atomic bombs are possible in the light of the new Institute survey: 1. Realization is growing that the bomb may be an even more effective war weapon than was originally believed. Six out of 10 people today say that they feel the destructive power of the bomb is greater than they first believed. 2. On the other hand, slightly more than half the population continues to have faith that American scientists will be able to develop a defense against atomic attacks. 3. Despite America's strong hopes for a successful United Nations, the public remains wary about placing control of atomic bomb secrets in the U.N. Security Council, Seven out of 10 want the United States and England to keep the secret as long as possible. 4. The opinion is growing that the United States should continue to produce the bombs. The following table compares answers to this question asked in May, 1946 and now: "SHOULD THE UNITED STATES CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE THE ATOM BOMB?" May 1946, Today Should continue, 61%, 70% Should not, 30,26 No opinion, 9, 4 5. The fact that more people today think that other nations have solved the riddle may account for the growing desire for continued American atom bomb production. In answer to the question: "DO YOU THINK ANY OTHER COUNTRY IS ALREADY MAKING ATOM BOMBS?" the comparative response was as follows: May 1946, Today Yes, 42% , 59$ No 40, 33 No opinion, 18, 8