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Burlington Atomic Energy Week, 1946-1950

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 development of the bomb was a good thing, the number who disagree with that conclusion has more than doubled.

[insert]
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 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 the 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

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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 development of the bomb was a good thing, the number who disagree with that conclusion has more than doubled. [insert] 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 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 the 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