Atoms for Peace
On December 8, 1953, 57 years ago today, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a speech to the UN General Assembly which has become known as the "Atoms for Peace" Speech. The speech was intended to focus on the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Eisenhower, while still a General, had opposed the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and he hoped that such an event would not be experienced again.
Some historians see the speech as a cold war maneuver directed at U.S. allies in Europe. According to this theory, Eisenhower wanted to make sure that the European allies would shift strategy from an emphasis on conventional weapons to the cheaper nuclear weapons.
Eisenhower's address laid down the rules of engagement for the new kind of warfare. In the speech, Eisenhower stated:
"It is with the book of history, and not with isolated pages, that the United States will ever wish to be identified. My country wants to be constructive, not destructive. It wants agreement, not wars, among nations. It wants itself to live in freedom, and in the confidence that the people of every other nation enjoy equally the right of choosing their own way of life...To the making of these fateful decisions, the United States pledges before you--and therefore before the world--its determination to help solve the fearful atomic dilemma--to devote its entire heart and mind to find the way by which the miraculous inventiveness of man shall not be dedicated to his death, but consecrated to his life."
Below is a video of Eisenhower delivering this speech:
Some historians see the speech as a cold war maneuver directed at U.S. allies in Europe. According to this theory, Eisenhower wanted to make sure that the European allies would shift strategy from an emphasis on conventional weapons to the cheaper nuclear weapons.
Eisenhower's address laid down the rules of engagement for the new kind of warfare. In the speech, Eisenhower stated:
"It is with the book of history, and not with isolated pages, that the United States will ever wish to be identified. My country wants to be constructive, not destructive. It wants agreement, not wars, among nations. It wants itself to live in freedom, and in the confidence that the people of every other nation enjoy equally the right of choosing their own way of life...To the making of these fateful decisions, the United States pledges before you--and therefore before the world--its determination to help solve the fearful atomic dilemma--to devote its entire heart and mind to find the way by which the miraculous inventiveness of man shall not be dedicated to his death, but consecrated to his life."
Below is a video of Eisenhower delivering this speech: